2027 Rankings Release: Elite Freshmen Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong>PaulG30 </strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197211"],"_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":"Leilua takes over the number one spot in our initial 2027 linebacker rankings, and deservingly so. He holds an early offer from Arizona and was voted as an All-Trinity League selection in 2023. He is a elite athlete at the second level with good movement abilities, lateral quickness and cover abilities in space while a strong tackler in space with closing speed and takes good angles in the open field. He has a good feel for sniffing out plays and has a quick trigger off the edge and up the middle when applying pressure and can quickly get into the backfield with relentless pursuit. Leilua is a big time plug in the run game and packs a punch at the POA while filling with violence and and shows a good ability to weave through traffic near the LOS.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ef526fab7d1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197214"],"_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":"Epps is quickly rising into one of the top linebackers in his class across the country, and already holds offers from Oregon, Georgia, Washington, USC, Nevada and Cal with other national offers most likely not far behind. During his Freshmen campaign for Tustin, he played both safety and outside linebacker, and shut down the entire back half of the field due to his tackling, tracking and range in space. He is a very high motor kid that takes excellent angles in the open field, is a big time hitter in the box and a special teams ace on kickoff as well. He has impressive natural instincts when sniffing out screens and draws and can quickly close ground with long strides and violent hands at the POA. Epps does not look nor play like a first year prep player, and will continue developing into an elite power five prospect that should be a 25+ offer national recruit by the time it's all said and done.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ef526fab840"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790571"],"_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":"Lee operated most of the season from his standup outside linebacker/defensive end position for Riordan, and is an elite pass rusher off the edge with length, initial explosion and active hands at the POA who plays well above his years as a first year high school player. He shows a quick first step get off, shoots his hands quickly to get into the chest of defenders and does a nice job at using his length and long strides to hold the edge in the run game and is also a natural bender around the edge when collapsing the pocket. He uses a variety of different primary and secondary pass rush moves, and already has all the starting tools to be a no brainer FBS caliber defender by the time his Riordan career ends. He is a high motor and effort kid that will be one of the top returning defenders across the vaunted WCAL in 2024 as only a Sophomore.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ef526fab897"} /-->