Dissecting The Most-Talented LB Class in Recent PA Memory. #8-14

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598802"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The eighth linebacker inside the Top 40. Contrastingly, our 2023 rankings had 8 backers inside the top 100 alone. It goes to show just how deep this class is, that an All-State, dominant backer like [player_tooltip player_id='598802' first='Mickey' last='Vaccarello'] sits this u0022lowu0022 on our board. All things considered, this is one of the best soon-to-be seniors in all of the state regardless of position. 4.83 GPA. Had the chance to see him fly to the football against an elite benchmark in Imhotep Charter. His tape against the Champion Panthers is worth leading his junior tape, he came to play. Active on the LOS, carries a lean, muscular build that has him often exploiting blockers who are slow to identify or get to their spots. Incredible gap-closer, closes to the ball carrier as well as any backer in the state. Phenomenal crasher, one who is disciplined and aware, great OLB to have play near the LOS, not every backer can say this. You have less time to react the closer you are to the football, Vaccarello is comfortable here. Pursuit skills are next level. Vision through traffic is next level. Tackling technique is up to par with the best in the state. Vaccarello demonstrates a game that's tough to poke holes into. There's a reason his offer list is so long. I'd go on record saying he might be a better prospect than higher-ranked Gompers, Maul, and Bauer. He's a lock for G5 interest, yet I'm wondering where the P5 interest is currently. Boston College and Syracuse were first to throw their names in the hat, yet I'd argue the likes of Pitt and Maryland should be in on this young man. Top Five LB talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d476"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MickeyVac/status/1736748837245485530","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MickeyVac/status/1736748837245485530 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["264265"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A wrestler, a 3.15 GPA, standing at 6'2, 220, MLK's [player_tooltip player_id='264265' first='Khalid' last='Bueno'] made the top ten cut in what is a ridiculously talented backer class. Weight fluctuates between 215-225. Too many go without mentioning Bueno's relative versatility. Has experience attacking several gaps, has experience dropping into the deep middle and curl-hook zones. Bueno has experience stationed as a true ILB, but has prior reps showcasing his skills at the LOS. A front-seven monster who is one of the better middle-men in all of District 12. Can be tasked with rushing the passer stationed outside of tackles. MLK looks to run a ton of 2-4-5 sets, makes total sense considering they have a kid who can both run-stuff and play the pass. Bueno is best with his hand off the dirt, yet I'd imagine he'd still register 5+ sacks a season as a traditional DE/EDGE prospect. In terms of future projection, I like Bueno as a potential starter at a G5. Bueno might be an all-around dominator in the Pub, I'd imagine he'd find a specific role at the next level. I love his potential transition to SAM backer, so long as the alignment allows for him to play freely. I'd like to see him serve as a scrape/fill backer if he works in a 3-4. Happy to see him still rank as a top 50 player in his state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d4d7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["861404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ranked as a top ten linebacker in his class before his Group of Five explosion late January-early February. Woodland Hills' [player_tooltip player_id='861404' first='George' last='Hill'] was next on my list of prospects to burst onto the scene, my grade was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Offers out of Temple, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, and Akron alike, Hill's backer tape did the most talking, however. 100+ TTs, 10+ went for TFLs, Hill's first play on tape has him sniffing out a screen on good play rec skills, evading two lineman much bigger than he is via block shed, and bringing down a ball carrier in the open field. One single rep showcasing three skills an FBS linebacker must possess. The rest of Hill's tape backs up this one rep as insurance to any coaches courting him. Plays MIKE backer, cleans up behind the SAM backer easily, sometimes overlapping because of his fantastic lateral agility. Energy spewing during and after the play, a real tone-setter. Athletic enough to serve as a slot defender, can play both the deep middle and the curl-hook zone. Wouldn't be surprised to learn he can play the flat zone in pass coverage as well. Cut and toned, great build standing at an unverified 225. A lot to like, easily a top five backer in any other class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d536"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GeorgeHill_18/status/1752018279210627274","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GeorgeHill_18/status/1752018279210627274 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["118752"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A backer who was once inside the top three at his position. Danville's Cam Kiersch is still a Top 50/75 talent in this class regardless of how other backers are performing. I'll stand on the Top 100 being this young man's floor, any lower might be doing his tape a disservice. Nearly 150 total tackles on the year, 11 of which were for a loss, phenomenal reps in pass coverage I might add. The first backer on my list without an offer. Kiersch isn't without serious interest of course, testing numbers and competition level might deter some potential courters. I am one who doesn't need much convincing, however, this kid is easily a Top Five backer talent in another class. Two-way skills like Peters Township's [player_tooltip player_id='598802' first='Mickey' last='Vaccarello'], Kiersch divided his Hudl film into Coverage/Off/Def tapes. Usually prefer your best plays packaged into one cohesive tape, yet I applaud his attempt to showcase his complete skillset. Will be a four-year starter, love how his skills translate to next-level Weak-side backer. Kiersch has some reps on tape playing at the LOS, stationing as your traditional WILL backer who can chase down plays and hunt using speed and pursuit skills. Kiersch is leaner than most on this list, so athleticism, lateral quickness, coverage skills are going to need to be proficient. They are, his tape shows it. Kiersch can still plug gaps and make noise with his pads, this is hardly a passive football player. His aggressiveness in the trenches, his reluctance to hesitate between the tackles will likely end up pleasing his future coaches.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d596"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["264251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Elite GPA, 5.04 when tape was posted. 65 TTs, 6 sacks in seven games. First reps on tape have Ulmer securing sacks with three down-linemen in front of him, each time blitzing against a five-man front, proving he can win on blitzes even if the numbers aren't in his favor. Ivy-League programs and local G5s should be in on this stud backer, I'm a bit surprised he's gone this far without gaining much traction in recruiting. Hardly a time to panic, some stud 2025s are just now seeing love in the form of schollys, we still have April and June to go. Should be a lock for FCS schools at the very least. Ulmer's rank fluctuates because of my responsibility to correctly reflect recruiting trends. I like Ulmer placing anywhere between 5-15 on this list, I'll stand by that. UPenn and Dartmouth know of his skills, I know they've been prowling the state recently. Those programs are hardly in a rush, Ulmer shouldn't be either. Kid has a good head on his shoulders, I stress patience.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d5f4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChrisUlmer_21/status/1759987031877267960","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChrisUlmer_21/status/1759987031877267960 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386145"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the best tapes to plug in. Put aside measurables, testing numbers, upside, plug this tape in and watch LaSalle's [player_tooltip player_id='386145' first='Jack' last='Leuthe'] absolutely terrorize ball carriers. Operates with a four-man front ahead of him, often aligned as the SAM backer in the base 4-3 front. Tape has Leuthe spying a QB, a rep that showcases his closing speed once he sets his eyes on a BC and diagnoses. Next rep showcases Leuthe's ability to play the pass, he drops and occupies a zone that leads to an interception. If you're going to be the u0022smallestu0022 backer of this group, if you're going to be ranked inside the Top100 of your class, you better make up for the lack of size with supreme athleticism, Leuthe does that. Leuthe can station near the LOS when working as a WILL, this is where I think the young man excels. A backer with a back mentality, the young man sniffs out BCs like a shark, his key/diagnosing skills based on OL post-snap movement is as good as anyone in the state. If LaSalle wants to deploy an extra DB, they can count on Leuthe to occupy gaps between the tackles. He's 200-210 pounds, but trust that he can bring his pads and thwart OL/FBs that want to get to the second level, the momentum he plays with helps here. The loose adjective u0022dogu0022 is thrown around a lot these days, Leuthe embodies that word, however.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d654"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598734"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"3.8/4 GPA, 6'2, 205, notable Lacrosse participant, recognized in the post-season for numerous accolades. 85 total tackles, six of which were TFLs. The Haverford School loves to get mixy with their defensive fronts. This makes complete sense considering they can station a variety of prospects who can play a variety of positions. The tougher disguises they can deploy from a personnel front the better, having Top 100 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='598734' first='Kellen' last='Gardner'] helps the cause. Is a serious mismatch in terms of strength against the majority of tightends positioned in front of him, especially when Gardner is closer to the LOS at OLB out of a 3-4. One of the best open-field tacklers I've found throughout the entire group, I feel like I say this with each passing year, it's his calling card. Tough for me to decide where I like Gardner more, as the second inside man in a 3-4 that can follow his lead backer and clean up as a scraping ILB, or as a potential pass-rushing, edge-setting OLB who plays closer to the LOS. For Haverford, the decision is easy, deploy him at both and confuse the hell out of OL/TE attempting to key defenders on the move. One of my favorite players.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d6b2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KellenGardner11/status/1727020780280856711","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KellenGardner11/status/1727020780280856711 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->