Five Breakout Candidates in 2024: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camp season in the summer gives college opportunities to evaluate prospects and fill their recruiting boards, but it also gives us the opportunity to see which players are candidates to have breakout seasons. These five linebackers had strong offseasons and look poised to have huge years in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates: Linebackers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1323167"],"_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-668859ba4a9e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weddington has one of the best front sevens in the country, but it's going to be difficult for the coaches to keep Devore off the field this year. Devore stands out in the running game and has the versatility and athletic profile to play all linebacker positions for the Warriors. As he improves in pass coverage, he'll see more and more playing time and could put up big numbers in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["351828"],"_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-668859ba4aa3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houston doesn't have huge numbers in the past, but his athletic profile shows that he has the ability. 2024 looks like the year that he'll put it all together. He's a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, but I love his ability to play the run. He's a big hitter and fills gaps well. As he gets bigger, he's maintained his quickness, which should help him wherever he lines up in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831321"],"_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-668859ba4aa7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shaw has been on our radar for a few years and he's just now hitting his stride at linebacker, the better of his two positions. He's best in the middle, but has also flashed off the edge. As his coverage skills continue to improve, he's becoming a complete player on defense. His ability to read run schemes and attack downhill is where he's best, and he should showcase that this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["682099"],"_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-668859ba4aab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fleet really came on at the end of last year and is a candidate for a huge junior season. He's solid against the run and his reaction time is excellent for a middle linebacker. He has a tendency to always be around the ball and made several huge plays for Rolesville last season. With another full offseason under his belt, expect Fleet to have a huge junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892289"],"_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-668859ba4aaee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Midgett has elite closing speed and when he makes a decision, he can get downhill in a hurry. While he plays in the middle for Mallard Creek, I think he projects best as an outside linebacker at the next level. He needs more consistent playing time to become an elite player, but the tools are there. This year I'll be watching to see how he progresses in coverage and in his ability to read the quarterback's eyes in zone coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->