Linebacker Prospects That Caught My Eye At SportzFarm

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I've made no secret of, the weather wasn't ideal for a strong passing game at the SportzFarm All-Star tournament. Between rain, wind and players getting to know each other through spring ball, the recipe for success was in the run game for the offense. With that comes the significant importance of linebackers who could make players. Below are the linebackers from each of the eighth-grade teams that stood out to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Strong Island Power United</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227473"],"_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":"In my opinion Jerrick was the top player on this squad. Lining up as a middle linebacker on defensive, in addition to guard on the offensive line, there were some clear signs that he was the Alpha Male on this team. While he did play on both sides of the ball, the kid is a linebacker through and through. Really quick reactions and twitchy for a linebacker on this level. Comes with long arms for his body and just looks like a linebacker. Depending on how he grows, I could see him playing inside or outside with his combination of quickness and power.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1228825"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I think Lamorissiere is destined for a nice career as a running back, but his play as an outside linebacker can't be understated either. The same speed that propelled him to gain the edge and gash opposing defenses while running the ball, also allowed for him to be in on a bunch of tackles throughout the weekend, on defense. He ran around field like a heat-seeking missile and caused two fumbles in the game action I was able to catch.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15bad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">NYC Elite</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230850"],"_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":"Like a lot of the NYC Elite team, Mitchell was a new prospect for me to see. He's an interesting prospect that played H-Back, tight end, wide receiver, outside linebacker and defensive end during the weekendu002du002ddepending on the play call. He played with some dog in him, on both sides of the ball. Did a nice job of moving laterally and showed off some strength while bringing the backs down with force.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1203435"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Reeves was the show-stealer on offense as a running back, but also did his thing as a middle linebacker for the NYC Elite. Has the traditional running back/linebacker build for this level, at 5-foot-7 and 170-pounds. Possesses a strong frame with broad shoulders and thick legs, he looked like a block in the middle of the field of the field.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15c7b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">SportzFarm</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["969582"],"_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":"Cancel is a reclassed prospect out of the Jersery Shore, but will be on his way to Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island, New York for high school. At first look he appears to be an interior offensive lineman and/or somewhat of a 3-4 style defensive lineman; However, he then takes the field and shines as a linebacker/tight end/running back. I'm very interested in seeing how he develops because of how he big he already is. Nonetheless, he played a very physical brand of football all weekend long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15ceb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Born Winners</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1001358"],"_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":"As much damage as he caused on offense as a running back, he wreaked just as much havoc on defensive side as a middle linebacker. Ahead of this tournament I had him somewhere between a middle linebacker and defensive end on defense, but he showed me he's certainly a linebacker. As noted in the running back breakdown, he's gotten himself into impressive shape over the last few months.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1095979"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The future St. Joseph's Prep athlete was a standout for this team. Speaking with his parents, current coach and future coachesu002du002dthere is a ton of excitement about what his kid could turn into. He can literally play any position on the football field at a high level. At the SportzFarm tournament he played outside linebacker and H-Back, but very easily could have played strong safety and wide receiver. Regardless, he's always buzzing on the field and was a nice piece on defense for Born Winners.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15d8f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Jersey Vikings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230796"],"_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":"Playing literally just a few minutes from where he lives, Collins was a thick-necked linebacker that stopped and dropped a lot running backs where they were standing throughout the tournament. The treacherous weather all but eliminated an effective passing game on Friday, so the contest featured a lot of 'u003cemu003eline ‘em up and lets see if you can stop us'u003c/emu003eu002du002dwhich fit Collins' game perfectly. Long term he might be more a middle linebacker, but he did a good job and had to be near double digit tackles on the day.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15df8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Irvington Golden Knights</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230979"],"_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":"Sumo was the first linebacker I noticed dawning the black and gold of the Irvington Golden Knights. Wearing jersey No. 44, Sumo looked like he was born to play the middle linebacker position. Looked like a natural in his stance and stayed playing on his toes. Playing in a traditional 4-3, Sumo was able to patrol the tackle box and flowed pretty freely from side to side.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1230990"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"McMillan wasn't as tall as the ideal outside linebacker should be at this point, but he made up for that with his quickness. McMillan almost looks like a strong safety or nickel, but because of his ability to get to the ball quickly and secure tackles, he stood out to me. Has a muscular build on a smaller frame right now, but plays stronger than his size indicates. He showed a lot of toughness and grit throughout the weekend. Perhaps coincidental, but I always seemed to catch him getting up from the pile towards the end and usually off of the ball carrier.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b09ba15e88"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Standouts At Linebacker</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230425' first='Tairaye' last='Ferguson']</strong> | NYC Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uthman Mannan-Mitchell</strong> | South Jersey Vikings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230512' first='Leonard' last='West']</strong> | SportzFarm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sean Feliciano</strong> | NYC Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231635' first='Romayne' last='Phillip']</strong> | SportzFarm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neo Eccheveria</strong> | Born Winners</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230992' first='Murqwel' last='Hanford-Presely']</strong> | Irvington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->