Game Changing Athletes at the OLB Position

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While looking through the OLB position I came across a handful of athletes who were lacking on coverage despite having overwhelming talent. That has to end here, so we are turning the spotlight to these big, versatile athletes who are roaming the edges of the defense. Kids that can play on all three downs, stop the run, and get after the QB or drop into coverage. Let's dive into the specifics on each!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["327602"],"_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 junior OLB who quickly grabbed my attention was Centennial's [player_tooltip player_id='327602' first='Trevon' last='Hall']. He has a great frame with length needed to win on the edge. The tape shows a versatile athlete too. He can play stout against the outside run. We see him jam and lockout OTs, shed the block and make the tackle. He shows off the speed to fly off the edge and chase down the QB. Trevon also shows that he is comfortable beyond the edge, and more out in space over the slot. The junior shows natural lateral movement in coverage, allowing him to be effective in his zone. Don't sleep on the versatile junior OLB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f8435f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16788709/654e50e002bbd30948755df5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f8447b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179189"],"_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":"Another freaky edge defender in the Class of 2025 is [player_tooltip player_id='179189' first='Keylan' last='LaGrant']. The 6'3u0022 215 lbs junior is a special athlete. He has excellent feet, balance, and lateral movement to navigate crowded backfields and lines of scrimmage on the way to the ball. Keylan is so sudden off the ball and when avoiding blocks on the way to the ball. LaGrant has also shown the the can turn that burst into power in short yardage situations. We see him use leverage to drive his man off the ball in his favor. Keylan is a twitched up LB with length and agility that knows how to flash the strength when needed. Check out the tape. It's a fun one.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f84537"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16228729/6568c0ad578d5d038c112d37' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f8456c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1553769],"_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":"Brady might not have the length of the others in this article, but he has found what works best for him on the edge. Against the run Brady repeatedly does a great job of using leverage to take on blocks while keeping his outside arm free. He is quick to disengage and close on the ball in those scenarios and is a reliable tackler in space. Brady also shows that he can get out and run in space. We see him covering the curls to flat zones, getting good depth, changing direction, and being able to run with backs or TEs. I believe Brady could slide inside at the next level and his best traits would continue to dominate. Take a look at him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f845eb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18038500/654691280dbff90aaced0480' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f84615"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1130985"],"_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":"This is a freaky freshman to get your eyes on. Jack has an elite frame at 6'5u0022 195 lbs and it dominates off the edge. Jack is able to fly off the line at the snap with an explosive first step. He instantly gets into the backfield and wrecks havoc on plays. Brown is also a stout run defender when setting the edge. He takes on blocks, and doesn't allow the ball carrier to get outside him. Jack will do more than contain too. We see him use that length to get separation and then quickly slip past the lineman with some lateral quickness to make the tackle. Jack also is a powerful run blocker at the TE position to go along with his LB play. Get this kid on your radars early.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f846a8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19983970/65522feeda50b80a305bf43e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6607682f846d3"} /-->