Class of 2025: Top Linebackers in WNY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers are often the best athletes on the field; having the aggression to stop the run coupled with the awareness to defend the pass. These are the best Linebackers in Western New York heading into their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806951"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1232888,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='806951' first='Lucas' last='Lombardo'] is the top Linebacker to watch for the 2024 season. In his junior season, Lombardo received 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e team All-State honors and 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All Western New York on the way to being Class A Defensive Player of the Year. Lucas is blessed with a football intuition that cannot be taught. He is great at rushing the passer with a bullrush or swim move, has a great mix of speed and power with superior tackling form. His 127 tackles (20 for loss) and 11 tackles were among the top in Section VI.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":1233081,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1283664' first='Zach' last='Trietley']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Salamanca","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1283664' first='Zach' last='Trietley'] exploded on the scene in 2023 earning 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All-State and All Western New York honors in his first year on varsity. Trietley has a high football IQ and great sideline-to-sideline speed; two of the biggest attributes needed to play Middle Linebacker. He displays natural ability to track down ballcarriers as shown with his 110 tackles he produced as a junior. Sky is the limit for this young athlete as he enters his senior season. He plays at a small school so he may get overlooked by many colleges but make no mistake; this is a player you want to anchor your defense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["806782"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":1232892,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"An underrated athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='806782' first='Romeo' last='Kidd'] is the quintessential Outside Linebacker with his big frame and long arms that gives him that advantage to rush the passer. Kidd has the physicality to take on Offensive Linemen and the speed to be valuable in pass coverage. He has excellent hand placement and superb agility. His unique blend of size, speed and power will make him a highly sought after senior in 2024.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1212854"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":1232894,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1212854' first='Collin' last='Ryan'] made a major impact in his first year on varsity making 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e team All State and All Western New York honors, as well as being named Defensive Player of the Year for Class D. Ryan plays Middle Linebacker the way it should be played; with ruthless aggression. He also possesses speed, awareness and playmaking ability. His 100 tackles as a junior set a school record and 2024 should bring about many more accolades, especially from college recruiters.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["648806"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":1232895,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The most experienced player on this list is [player_tooltip player_id='648806' first='Amir' last='Douglas'], who has accumulated 200 tackles in his three seasons at Lackawanna High School. Douglas is incredibly fast and is aggressive at the point of attack. He is very good at shedding blocks and is an excellent open field tackler. A 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e team All Western New York selection in 2023, Douglas should capitalize on his impressive junior season and get a lot of recognition as a senior.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660d2975b3413"} /-->