New Names: Rising Senior LB Prospects Popping On Tape
The LB position can lack some of the glitz and glamour that other positions bring. You have to be gritty, smart, and hard-nosed to play the spot at a high level. In Georgia specifically, there are several high-profile LB recruits…
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Continue ReadingThe LB position can lack some of the glitz and glamour that other positions bring. You have to be gritty, smart, and hard-nosed to play the spot at a high level. In Georgia specifically, there are several high-profile LB recruits racking up tackles and racking up offers. However, here are some new names I’d like to introduce to the recruiting scene, and they’re all rising seniors.
Jordan Donald
Jordan Donald
Despite having over a dozen D1 offers to his name, this is the first time I’ve taken an advanced look at Donald, and there is plenty of reason to like him. He comes in at a wiry, long 6’2 200. He is an outstanding traits prospect, flashing outstanding athleticism and movement skills in space, which in turn gives him plenty of range. Won’t be a thumper between the gaps, but he dissects chaos well and puts his head down when he strikes. He patrols the middle of field like few can in the 2025 class, quickly closing to the football and out angling ball carriers trying to bounce it outside. Thanks to his long arms, he should be a sound tackler who can upend ball carriers and make form tackles. In coverage, he clogs up space and drifts into throwing lanes. He can get his long arms up through a crowd and make a play on the ball, he will be difficult to throw over in the middle of the field. Donald is a high upside LB prospect with every down potential.
Jason Gyebi
Jason Gyebi
Gyebi is a stockier, undersized LB prospect, but he plays with a hot motor and was a highly productive tackler as a junior. Gyebi flows with the game and reacts to the run very well. When the ball bounces outside, Gyebi showcases the explosiveness and pursuit skills to put his cleats in the dirt and fly to the football. He showcases sideline to sideline speed, and clearly opens up his stride when it’s just him and the football. He is disciplined when it comes to taking angles and doesn’t go for the kill shot in the backfield. Instead, he works to put himself in a good position to tackle. Upon contact, his stout 205 frame generates enough energy to absorb contact and make tough plays on the football. He is more of a downhill defender, but he can quickly drop back in coverage and places his eyes on receivers running in and out of his zone. He is a smaller LB prospect, but he is explosive and plays with an energetic pursuit of the football, which should make him an intriguing option for some smaller schools.
Zach Profitt
Zach Profitt
Proffitt is an instinctual, productive LB prospect with some position and scheme versatility. He won’t wow you with his speed and will likely be limited to a specific downhill role, but he plays with excellent instincts and good timing when blitzing. At times, he will line up with his hand in the dirt as a DL. From those reps, you can see that he does a good job of taking on blocks, playing with good leverage and balance as he sheers off bigger guys. He is a dangerous blitzer thanks to his timing. He can jump snaps and split blockers before they can get into a comfortable spot to get their hands on him. Proffitt is patient as a tackler, hovering low to the ground and shuffling to stay in front of ball carriers. When he strikes, he maintains good pad level and gets his arms around ball carriers. Proffitt is a high floor prospect who should be firmly on the radar for FCS schools.
Bristol Evans
Bristol Evans
Bristol Evans is a gritty small-school LB prospect with downhill bruising ability. At 6’0 215, he is built proportionally with long arms and carries his weight well. He won’t overwhelm you with his speed, but he is a lightning quick processor and quickly vacates his spot to explode to new areas of the field. At times, he might be too aggressive coming downhill to take on blocks, but he can play off-script and spill outside to chase the football. At contact, he can decleat ball carriers and dictates the physicality on every snap. If he doesn’t win a tackle initially, he recovers nicely and will fight to bring a ball carrier to the turf. Pre-snap, Evans is disciplined with his eyes and can be seen directing traffic. Evans is experienced, gritty, and looks to play with good instincts and high IQ, all things that should benefit him in more than just football going forward.