Prep Redzone WI Combine: Best of the LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some physical freaks and up and coming prospects came out to represent WI at the combine down in Oak Creek, WI. They were versatile athletes that tested well and proved they can play downhill, drop into coverage, or run with RBs out in space. One athlete in particular who shined playing in space was [player_tooltip player_id='685926' first='Mariano' last='Talamantez']. The St. Cat's LB was able to bring home MVP honors for the position. Get a breakdown of his day in the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/prep-redzone-wi-combine-mvps/">MVP article</a>. For the rest of the standouts, keep reading and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180568"],"_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":"Max has a strong argument for being the best athlete that was in attendance at the PRZ WI Showcase. The athlete could play LB or TE at the next level, and gave us a glimpse of his abilities at LB during the showcase. Max has the frame to be a D1 prospect at 6'4u0022 232 lbs. At that prototypical size Max dominated the combine. He hit a 4.62 40, 4.53 shuttle, 10'1u0022 broad jump, and 7.65 L Drill.rnrnThe numbers were just half the story with Max. The big man demonstrated exceptional balance and body control when we got to drills and 1 on 1 battles. Max was able to accelerate quickly when he had to turn and run deep. He closed quickly and cut off escape routes in the one on one rushing drills. The big man was also a monster against RBs in blitzing/pass protection battles. Max looked the part of a D1 LB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb808e3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220674"],"_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":"An underclassman who has had me excited since the 2023 season is [player_tooltip player_id='1220674' first='Jack' last='Murray']. He came in and verified my excitement with his performance. Jack measured in at 6'2u0022 195 lbs, ran 4.66 in the 40, 4.56 in the shuttle, broad jumped 8'8u0022, and hit 7.31 on the L Drill.rnrnOn tape I loved how natural Jack looked playing in space. That comfort and effectiveness stood out from the crowd during the showcase. Jack was able to mirror RBs in the ground game battles. He was quick to close downhill there and on routes that broke in front of him. In coverage, Jack showed off the reactive athleticism to stay right on his man's hip through routes. It was a great showing for the sophomore LB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80985"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944008"],"_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":"It was great to get Jack in this environment. On tape he is a hard hitting, downhill defender who piles up the tackles vs the run game. That showed up in drills where he was quick to close before the RB could make a cut or juke move. The 6' 202 lbs junior also proved to have the athleticism to be able to play against the pass. He ran 4.68 in the 40, 4.63 in the shuttle, jumped 9'1u0022, and blazed a 4.25 L Drill. Those change of direction traits flashed in coverage where we saw him turn and run with ease and react to breaks quickly. Don't overlook the Homestead LB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80a03"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251510"],"_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":"A junior who has a path to a big jump in varsity playing time is Oak Creek LB [player_tooltip player_id='1251510' first='Carter' last='Galonski']. The  6'1u0022 203  lbs junior LB ran 4.84 in the 40 showing range to be able to play sideline to sideline. Carter caught my eyes multiple times with his lateral movement in drills, covering ground quickly and attacking downhill out of his lateral movement. It is the type of movement needed to maneuver the front seven on the way to making tackles in traffic. I'll be following to see how his final season unfolds.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80a81"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220659"],"_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":"An LB who made a name for himself last season is sophomore ILB [player_tooltip player_id='1220659' first='Tyler' last='Heinle']. The 6'2u0022 195 lbs athlete dominated the testing that highlighted his quickness and lower body explosiveness. He ran 7.29 in the L Drill, broad jumped 9'7u0022 and hit 4.5 in the shuttle. That agility showed up on the field and in drills too. Tyler makes it look effortless to cover ground laterally as he moves through traffic or goes to cut off an LB. He has the balance and body control to be able to change direction in coverage while staying within range to breakup passes in man coverage. Tyler is one of our top LBs in the Class of 2026 and played like it at the combine.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80b04"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["700166"],"_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":"Hawk is an intriguing, versatile prospect. We have him as a DL in the rankings, but more specifically, Hawk is an edge defender/OLB. The 6'2u0022 220 lbs sophomore has quite a bit of experience as a pass rusher, and that showed during the combine. He was a problem for RBs to get in front of during pass protection reps. He showed off great hand use and lateral quickness to get around the block attempts. The big man impressed in other drills, showing the ability to slide laterally and then trigger downhill. The big man even had a few solid reps showing that he could run in space with RBs. The sophomore is off to a great start in his career, and showed that he has versatility to his game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80b84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251500"],"_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":"An underclassman working his way towards being a varsity contributor [player_tooltip player_id='1251500' first='Aidyn' last='Wallin'] out of Racine Case HS. The 5'11u0022 180 lbs sophomore proved to be an agile athlete who can play in space at look at home while doing it. Aidyn ran 4.88 in the 40, broad jumped 9' and ran 4.68 in the shuttle. Aidyn also caught my eyes with his coverage ability. He showed that he can be agile and quick to close on the ball. He is just scratching the surface too. As he gets comfortable at the varsity level, and more experience against that level of sp-eed we should see a big jump form him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66302ccb80c02"} /-->