Players to Know: Class of ’25 Linebackers & Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers and Defensive Backs are often the best athletes on the field. Here are some of the best in Western New York heading into their senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806358"],"_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":1290593,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf596"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806358' first='Nyzere' last='Richardson'] is a spectacular athlete with great instincts and good speed that allows him to cover a lot of ground. Nyzere is listed as a Free Safety but he can also play in the box and defends the run very well. He is a dynamic player with great form tackling technique. After his junior season, Richardson has received an offer to play at Edinboro University. A strong senior year will bring about more offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814984"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf5e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his first season on varsity, [player_tooltip player_id='814984' first='Zachary' last='Nalawadi'] posted 66 tackles (12 for loss) 6 sacks and 1 INT for a TD. Nalawadi can lineup as an ILB or outside. He has good sideline to sideline speed and possesses a high football IQ. His play recognition is superb as he has fluid hips to defend the pass and attacks the run game with aggression. Zachary will have to put on weight in the next year to play Linebacker at the college level but his natural abilities will shine through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806622"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf628"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806622' first='Jordan' last='Freeman'] converted to Defensive Back from Quarterback in his junior season. He played Safety and was Bennett's nickel corner. Freeman is a solid tackler and has good cover skills. Jordan displays excellent football instincts. 2024 will be an intriguing year for him to see if he stays at DB or moves back to QB. Whatever he ends up doing, colleges will take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155079"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf665"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1155079' first='Dan' last='Aquilina'] is a two year varsity starter and he led Royhart/Baker in tackles both seasons piling up 127 (21 for loss) to go with 5 sacks as a junior. Aquilina is a small school product but has excellent size. He is a stout run defender and pass rusher with a long wingspan. He uses his hands well and sheds blocks with ease. Dan's future looks bright whether it is at LB or TE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806442"],"_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":1290599,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf6a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-time All Catholic selection, [player_tooltip player_id='806442' first='Kamron' last='Lattimore'] is quick with good footwork. He gets his pad level lower than his opposition and is a tenacious tackler. Kamron is a physical player with good hand placement. At 5'8, Lattimore will more than likely have to convert to DB at the college ranks but he can be a major contributor on special teams, just like he is at Timon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215714"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665a13dddf6dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1215714' first='Amari' last='Wilbon'] is a hard hitting Cornerback with excellent instincts and a knack for being around the ball. He has a high football IQ and is shifty in the open field. Amari is a phenomenal overall athlete as a Running Back, Cornerback and electrifying Return man. Wilbon is not big by any means but he can play football. Last month, he received a Division III offer to play at Hilbert College. More attention should come his way as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->