2025 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our tape evaluations from the class of 2025 continue as we break down the linebackers in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; Here we dive into <strong>2025 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Linebackers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819690' first='Timotei' last='Dan'] (Lake Forest – 5'11” 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lake Forest linebacker had 94 tackles, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Stuffs in the run game.&nbsp; Also liked how he identifies against screens and consistently stops them from being completed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833298' first='Zach' last='Samaan'] (Burlington Central – 5'11” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samaan recorded 58 tackles on the season including four four loss. What stands out about this 5'11" linebacker is how well he identifies and pursues.&nbsp; Reads well the play off the snap and always seems to be in the right spot to make a play on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730619' first='Luke' last='Nelson'] (Stevenson – 6'1” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is an edge rusher at the OLB spot. Best as a pass rusher getting after the QB and good use of his hands.&nbsp; Runs very well and can also play pretty well in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832148' first='Joseph' last='Nitti'] (Wheeling – 6'0” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nitti is a 6'0" outside linebacker with good length.&nbsp; Gets off blocks and darts through space to get to the ball carrier.&nbsp; Accelerates downhill. Gets down the line of scrimmage making tackles in the run game. Good tackler in space and is a powerful bull rusher as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833299' first='Leon' last='Zakharia'] (Niles West – 5'11” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zakharia is a technically sound linebacker that slides well and fills the hole.&nbsp; Always stays square to the line.&nbsp; Has a great feel for bursting through the line of scrimmage to the ball carrier.&nbsp; Also is a contributor on special teams on coverage units.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537222' first='Connor' last='Coty'] (Wauconda – 5'9” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Technically sound linebacker that is undersized.&nbsp; Runs well, fights through traffic, and does a nice job of diagnosing plays.&nbsp; Hits very hard for his size!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292740' first='Josh' last='Peipert'] (Barrington – 6'2” 235)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peipert is an old school middle linebacker.&nbsp; Fills the hole and gets upfield in the run game.&nbsp; Brings a ton of physicality and hard hitting to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292839' first='Tyler' last='McBride'] (Grayslake North – 6'2” 215)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McBride recorded 72 tackles during his junior year.&nbsp; Good pursuit and is a sideline to sideline tackler.&nbsp; Can play both inside and outside linebacker. Good reaction to plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->