Mid-Season Monsters: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are now at the half way mark of the regular season in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; Time to look at some of the prospects that are shining as we reviewed their mid-season film in <strong>Mid-Season Monsters: Linebackers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='801992' first='Olaf' last='Kozub'] (Stagg – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kozub is a middle linebacker the diagnoses well vs the run.&nbsp; Gets through traffic and attacks downhill.&nbsp; Physical vs the run and is a very sound tackler at 6'0” 205 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='830849' first='James' last='Kingsbury'] (St. Rita – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingsbury is one of the best 2025 linebackers in the state.&nbsp; In the first two games of the season he had 21 tackles.&nbsp; Gets downhill with speed and diagnoses plays.&nbsp; Can cover a tight end in space.&nbsp; Love how he consistently wraps up down low.&nbsp; Excellent overall instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='801988' first='Ian' last='Irps'] (Bradley Bourbonnais – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slices through the defense to make plays in backfield.&nbsp; Excellent instincts. Quick reactions and hits the hole flying by offensive line.&nbsp; Wraps up well and plays with ton of force and physicality.&nbsp; Technically sound linebacker to track long term that is already making impactful plays as a sophomore!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Stephen Winkler (Mt. Carmel – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11” 210 pound outside linebacker for the Caravan that can cover in the slot and is good against the pass including a downfield interception.&nbsp; Plays with good patience.&nbsp; Fights through blocks and is a tackling machine vs the run as he has great pursuit to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1256724' first='Joey' last='Villa'] (Glenbard South – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villa stands at 6'4” and 195 pounds.&nbsp; Outside linebacker that shows flashes vs the pass in coverage.&nbsp; Can also tackle shuffling his feet in the run game and wrap up down low.&nbsp; Shows his speed and athleticism off as a running QB on the other side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='299571' first='Tristan' last='Pusateri'] (Mt. Carmel – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11” 210 pound linebacker from the Caravan is an instinctual linebacker that makes plays in the backfield.&nbsp; He pursues off the edge finding the back or QB making a play.&nbsp; Good at recognition.&nbsp; Does a nice job of taking on blocks and getting off them to make a play.&nbsp; Solid in pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1249337' first='Ronnie' last='Gordon Jr'] (Marian Catholic – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0” 230 pound linebacker has racked up 46 tackles through the early part of the season so far.&nbsp; Big and fast linebacker who is a monster in the run game.&nbsp; He is an absolute thumper up the middle getting off blocks and making tackles in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292734' first='Joe' last='Borowski'] (Lockport – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Lockport linebacker can play inside and outside.&nbsp; Sets the edge against the run making the play when at OLB.&nbsp; Also shows flashes of being able to cover in the slot.&nbsp; Tackles well in space.&nbsp; Lays the hammer with big hits!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Lambros Ioannou (Glenbard South – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ioannou is a linebacker who really gets after running backs in the backfield.&nbsp; Monster run stuffer that brings offensive players down with such ferocity and force!&nbsp; Wraps up and brings them down with power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='305277' first='Eddie' last='Devens'] (Willowbrook – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devens stands at 6'1” 215 pounds.&nbsp; The Willowbrook linebacker is a brick wall in the hole against the run not giving up any ground!&nbsp; Love how he gets through traffic to make the play.&nbsp; Efficient with every movement and sees plays developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Eli Moore (Highland Park – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is technically sound middle linebacker that pursues the ball.&nbsp; Physical tackler that wraps up.&nbsp; Gets off blocks to make the tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1670355' first='Ali' last='Shaibe'] (Andrew – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size and length.&nbsp; Long and lanky frame.&nbsp; Like the range he shows against the run and pass.&nbsp; Can pursue with speed while making tackles with force.&nbsp; Fills the hole in the run game to make the tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->