2025 Film Room: South Suburbs Linebackers Pt 1

<!-- 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: South Suburbs Linebackers Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291998' first='Josh' last='Veldman'] (Lincoln Way West – 6'2” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size and versatility out of this linebacker.&nbsp; Can play both inside and outside.&nbsp; Really liked how well he pursued as a side to sideline tackler.&nbsp; Attacks downhill vs the run in the box exploding to the ball and wrapping up.&nbsp; Excellent recognition off the snap. Had a pick six on a pass to the TE and is a major contributor on special teams blocking a field goal along with being a force in kick coverage!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471479' first='Kennyan' last='Chandler'] (Kankakee – 6'1” 225)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler jumped off the film at us.&nbsp; The Kankakee linebacker is a strong bodied middle linebacker that lays a thumping on his opponents.&nbsp; Runs very well sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Gets through trash in the box finding the back.&nbsp; Also can drop back in coverage pretty well.&nbsp; Makes impactful plays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292062' first='Micah' last='McNair'] (Joliet West – 6'2” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a show McNair put on as a junior where he had 90 tackles, a pair of TDs on interceptions, 6 sacks, and 6 more tackles for loss.&nbsp; His tape opens up with multiple pick 6 takes to the house where he was in coverage over the middle of the field and quickly reacted.&nbsp; Excellent in pass coverage.&nbsp; good length and can really run.&nbsp; Cat quick and uses his explosive speed and major juice getting after backs, QBs, and tackling in space downfield.&nbsp; Overall he just makes impactful plays.&nbsp; Has some edge rushing potential as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jalil Brown (Bloom - 5'10” 189)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big junior season for Brown as the Bloom defender had 80 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.&nbsp; Brown hits really hard laying the thunder in the run game. Explosive outside linebacker that makes plays up field.&nbsp; Great burst and acceleration to the ball.&nbsp; He is a force in the run game.&nbsp; Can also really get after the passer as an edge guy.&nbsp; Plus athleticism and major juice were shown on tape for this slightly undersized outside linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299555' first='Kevin' last='Wilson'] (Plainfield North – 6'2” 220)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is a good sized linebacker at 6'2" 220 pounds.&nbsp; Cuts through the line of scrimmage in the run game.&nbsp; Gets through traffic with good use of his hands.&nbsp; Stuffs in the run game and pursues the ball well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292316' first='John' last='Sherrod'] (Lockport – 6'0” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This outside linebacker is super explosive off the edge.&nbsp; Attacks the ball with force.&nbsp; Very hard hitter that chases in the open field and can get up field to the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->