2027’s Watchlist LBs You Need to See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of all of the positions in the NJ 2027 class, the linebackers may be the most experienced and varsity ready out of any position covered so far. These four linebackers are ready to step up in a big way in their sophomore seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061127"],"_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":"Great size for a freshman linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='1061127' first='William' last='Hayes'] is a hybrid linebacker that has strong safety characteristics. Shot out of a cannon, William plays with speed and quick play recognition, allowing him to get to the ball carrier before they know what hit them. William's fast footwork allows him to react quickly and move in any direction very fluidly. The Hun School produces some of the most impressive players in the state, so don't be surprised if you hear this name in the upcoming years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16930015/654a8d6332e77e0718d300da' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["434091"],"_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 definition of a run stuffer, [player_tooltip player_id='434091' first='Joziah' last='Mays'] is looking to become one of the next great Don Bosco Prep defenders. Another shifty and speedy linebacker, Joziah can fly all over the field and get into the backfield to disrupt the play flow quickly. Joziah has the potential to get some repetitions in at the varsity level in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19765265/655022143449040b9c3fdcd8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["614993"],"_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":"An athlete in the purest sense, [player_tooltip player_id='614993' first='Chukwuma' last='Odoh'] is one of the most experienced linebackers in the state as he racked up 22 tackles at the varsity level in 2023. Part of one of the most talented young rosters in the state, Chukwuma is a linebacker that is ready to take form and dominate as a defender. With his long reach, Chukwuma can pull in runners from afar and tear them to the ground. He is an aggressive defender, attacking the runner whenever they get near. Chukwuma is a name we will all be more familiar with by the end of 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18189542/65658843a681b113647f6c61' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["690907"],"_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 big presence lined up on the outside, [player_tooltip player_id='690907' first='Che'' last='Patrick'] makes it difficult for any runner to get away from him once they are within in his grasp. Capable of blowing up a play before it can get started, Che' is stronger than the blockers he lines up against and can drive them backwards to a clear a path to the runner. Displaying lateral quickness and playing very fast and twitchy, Che' is the linebacker I expect to rise the quickest off of the watchlist and into the rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19612318/6527547c478cf713dcb55a87' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->