Indiana Linebackers On The Verge Of A Breakout

We're taking a look at a handful of Indiana Linebackers today who are on the verge of a breakout and should be hot topics this fall.    Smith is a fantastic athlete who has been playing on both sides of the ball but is by far the most effective at linebacker. He's got great range and can easily cover sideline to sideline. He's got no issue dropping back into coverage and running with a TE up the seams, too. Out of his 68 tackles, 40 of them were solos meaning he was wrapping up and getting to the ball quickly. Another area of his game I liked was just the energy he brings to the field. He can energize the guys around him and that always helps any team.     It was a good year for Clary, who broke onto the Varsity scene and made some plays. His physical development is on the way and he's got a frame that can develop into a 2nd level guy at the next level. His football IQ and being 1 step ahead is where he will be most effective. He's smart, tracks the ball well, and doesn't miss many tackles when the ball comes his way. He's raw, but he's been putting the work in this spring/summer and it looks like he could have a big breakout year.     Ross is a violent defensive player who has as bright of a future as he wants to have. Whether it be on the line or at the 2nd level is still to be determined, but with his experience, I can see him staying up front, but with his frame and motor I could see schools wanting him at the 2nd level. He's coming off of a year with 3.5 sacks and 9 hurries as a DE. While he doesn't have the standard length of a DE, he's got twitchy movements in short spaces which help him win.     Smitley is a very young and very raw, but promising linebacker for Carmel that we should take note of now. He's got a good build, spends time in the weight room, and moves as well as any LB. While he hasn't broken onto the Varsity scene quite yet, there's a chance he gets there this fall. He's able to rip the ball out and create turnovers which always helps a defense. I do think as he gets more comfortable and understands the small nuances of his defense, he will become a tackling machine.     Wolfe has been on the field here and there for Corydon over his first 2 seasons, but this year should be his opportunity to step up. He's a sound athlete who has a big frame that can be built upon. He bends well and doesn't have an issue getting off of blocks to make tackles in the running game. He's a bit raw in the passing game, but it's not anything major holding him back. As he gets the reps, the confidence will come, and he will take off. He's talented and checks quite a few boxes, just hasn't quite had the opportunity.

We're taking a look at a handful of Indiana Linebackers today who are on the verge of a breakout and should be hot topics this fall.