Wheeling University Skills Showcase: The LBs
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Over 60 prospects made their way to Wheeling University for their combined Junior Day/Skills Showcase camp on a very hot Sunday afternoon. There was a plethora of talent in attendance with many of the prospects receiving offers from the host…
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Continue ReadingOver 60 prospects made their way to Wheeling University for their combined Junior Day/Skills Showcase camp on a very hot Sunday afternoon. There was a plethora of talent in attendance with many of the prospects receiving offers from the host Cardinals after the event. Here were the linebackers who competed at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase.
2025 John Marshall RB/LB Maverick Lemasters Maverick Lemasters 6’1″ | 195 lbs | LB John Marshall | 2025 State WV is always impressive every time we see him in person and that was the case again at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase. Lemasters is making the rounds this off-season at various camps and the hard work and dedication are going to pay off for him in time. He had more strong testing numbers during the camp like he did a few weeks ago at our WV Combine event and ran another 4.8 40, 4.6 pro shuttle, and a 3.5-yard broad jump which are really good numbers for an athlete his size at 6’1 200. Lemasters is going to begin picking up some offers sooner rather than later and don’t be surprised to see him have multiple before his senior season begins.
He’s just too big and athletic for a linebacker for D2 schools to pass up on and should have his pick of MEC offers by Signing Day.
Carson Potter
Carson Potter
2025 Hampton (PA) linebacker Carson Potter immediately stood out at the beginning of the camp and was the first linebacker I took notice of. He’s a well-built athlete at 6’1 200 who was able to run a sub 5 second 40 along with a 4.69 pro shuttle and a 3-yard broad jump which were quality numbers for his size. Potter is another throwback linebacker who performs at a high level in run defense and has the versatility to play inside or outside backer. He does a nice job getting downhill quickly after reading the play and is a physical tackler who pursues the ball with quality quickness. Potter can be stout when making the play at the line of scrimmage or can get out in space to make a play too. He did a nice job crashing the edge on film when lined up on the outside and does well in contain.
Potter is an under-the-radar linebacker out of Pennsylvania who D2 and D3 colleagues should be targeting.
Fellow 2025 John Marshall LB Isaac Swauger Isaac Swauger 5’8″ | 215 lbs | LB John Marshall | 2025 WV had an eye-opening performance at the Skills Showcase this past Sunday. Although he doesn’t have the ideal length for the position, Swauger is a strong and physically built athlete at 5’7 1/2 and nearly 215 pounds. He tested very well and impressed during that portion of the camp with a 4.7 40, 4.8 pro shuttle, and a 3-yard broad jump. I’m excited to see him back out on the field this season after being unable to play his junior season due to an unfortunate late transfer ineligibility ruling and will really be seeing his first significant varsity playing time as a senior.
Swauger is unknown in that regard but his athleticism and physical strength paired with the glimpses we’ve been able to see from him through the years make you feel confident that he’ll produce a breakout season in 2024. John Marshall is shaping up to have a sneaky good linebacker corps with Swauger, Lemasters, and a pair of 2026 prospects that we like.
Highlights
Kane Curran
Kane Curran
Kane Curran is a throwback middle linebacker prospect out of Beaver Local (OH) that I really like. He’s better suited for a game-day environment compared to a camp setting and excels when the pads are popping. Curran’s straight-line speed can improve but this 4.65 pro shuttle and 3-yard broad jump shows he has some explosiveness and is quicker than he is fast. He has an innate nose for the ball and totaled 141 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 11 sacks as a junior where he earned Honorable Mention All-Ohio honors. Curran is a highly physical player with a wrestling background that benefits his game and is a sure tackler. He’s at his best when he can shoot the gaps and get downhill at the snap which translated to his high amount of tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Curran also does a nice job disengaging and fighting off his blockers to pursue the ball and make a play.
I’m a big fan of his game and he’ll be a steal for a D3 program if D2 schools decide to pass on him.
Evan Mollett
Evan Mollett
2025 Miami Trace (OH) linebacker Evan Mollett was another physically built LB at the Skills Showcase that I liked. He had quality testing numbers with a 4.9 40, 4.78 40, and a 2.5-yard broad jump which were solid times for his size. Mollett is an OLB prospect whose film speaks better for him than a camp setting where he can show off his high level of physicality better with pads on. I love the way he crashes the edge and blows up offensive tackles with high effort. Mollett plays much faster than his testing numbers would tell you and pursues the ball at a high level. He attacks ball carriers with tenacity and bad intentions but has the discipline to keep contain and redirect himself on option plays. Mollett has the athleticism to cover tight ends and receivers in the slot when needed as well.
Mollett should have plenty of D3 opportunities with D2 potential with a strong senior year.
D’Onte’ Williams
D’Onte’ Williams
D’Onte’ Williams is an undersized linebacker prospect out of Niles McKinley (OH) who punches above his weight class. His testing numbers suggested that he’s quicker than he is fast but had a strong 4.6 pro shuttle and a 3.5-yard broad jump that showed his explosiveness. Williams is also a running back in high school whose size better fits that position but proved he has the physicality to play linebacker on film. He was very productive during his junior campaign where he totaled 117 tackles and earned First Team All-District, Second Team All-Conference, and Third Team All-Ohio in 2023. Williams isn’t afraid to make a play between the tackles and has the athleticism to play in space and make a tackle in the open field. I see him as an outside linebacker at the next level where he can better utilize his strengths as a player and play in space more often.
Size may keep some bigger colleges away, but Williams should excel at the D3 or Sprint level if he ends up there.
Bryson Schutte
Bryson Schutte
2025 Wilmington (OH) linebacker Bryson Schutte is an underrated LB prospect out of Ohio that I liked at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase. He’s built well at 5’11 210 and tested strongly with a 4.93 40, 4.49 pro shuttle, and a 3-yard broad jump. From watching his junior film, Schutte is a hard-hitting middle linebacker who receivers fear when running routes in the middle of the field. He has great hips through contact and tackles through the ball carrier. Schutte’s physicality expectedly translates to run defense as well where he fits the run well and is stout between the tackles.
I’m partial to tough and hard-nosed middle linebackers and Schutte fits that bill perfectly. He’s another D2/D3 tweener prospect who’s under the radar in Ohio and deserves more attention.
Aidan Washington is a hybrid DE/OLB type of prospect out of Gainesville (VA) where he ranks as a Top 100 LB currently. At 5’11 215, he’s likely an OLB at the next level who has quality pass-rushing ability that he showed on his junior highlight tape. Washington even saw reps at defensive tackle last season whose quickness made it difficult for offensive guards and centers. His size gives longer offensive tackles trouble as he’s able to out-leverage and get under them consistently to get a step on them. Washington has a quick first step and does a nice job dipping his shoulder to win in leverage. His pursuit speed is also quality and is quick laterally and vertically. Washington’s ability to play along the defensive line interior speaks to his level of strength and physicality as well which benefits him when at OLB.
I like his game and feel he’s an underrated prospect in Virginia that D2 and D3 programs should be checking out.