2025 Rankings New Additions: Watch List Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong>PaulG30 </strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359093"],"_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-6768751c51251"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior linebacker from Berkeley was one of the more explosive and violent defenders the Bay Area had this season that has not been talked about enough. He is a high motor and fluid athlete that is always around the ball and is a true plug when filling gaps and scraping over the top. Mataafa is a true downhill thumper that runs through contact, shows the ability to quickly get into the backfield and plays with violent hands at the POA. Although a bit undersized for the position, he makes up for it with strength and power at the POA while showing he is always around the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354591"],"_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-6768751c512e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/osiel-ceballos/">Ceballos Jr</a>. checks into our Watch List rankings after putting together a solid Senior season for South Gate and stacking up some strong numbers on the defensive side of the ball. He is a high motor linebacker that can redirect and make plays in space while showing well timed pressures and the ability to set the edge when on the outside. He is a strong tackler and brings a good thump at contact while also showing he can redirect and has the ability to navigate through traffic to knife into the backfield. He is another D3+ player that should be able to find a home at the next level and has the ideal size and length for the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1415643"],"_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-6768751c51364"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mateo-mojica/">Mojica</a> had a season for the books across the SJS and was one of the top two-way players in all of Northern California, regardless of school size. He is a true thumper at the inside linebacker position and moves well for his size while very strong at the point of attack. The Bradshaw Christian product is also a force on the offensive side and provides a downhill punishing running style that worked well for the Pride all season long. He is another no brainer next level guy at the D3+ level and will instantly help any program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538234"],"_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-6768751c513dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaeden-rudulph/">Rudulph</a> is a very athletic and rangy outside linebacker that can also play strong safety at the next level. He has good length for the position, plus closing speed and is a sure open field tackler and takes good angles in space. In coverage, he has fluid hips in transition and plays with disciplined eyes while able to provide plenty of run support from the third level when cleaning up or setting the edge. Currently checking into our watch list rankings after a phenomenal senior season he is a name to keep an eye on as we near the second and final national signing day next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1453269"],"_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-6768751c51453"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kessler has been a true plug in the middle of the Palo Alto defense for the past three seasons and has been one of the top tacklers across the central coast section for the past two years. He is a plug and play linebacker that bangs in the box, shows he can get off blocks quickly without losing ground and takes good angles into the backfield when making plays behind the line of scrimmage. He checks into our watch list rankings this time around and is a no-brainer D3 plus player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->