704 Junior Bowl: If It Existed? Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Queen City Senior Bowl honors 80 of the top seniors in the Charlotte Metro Area. Prep Redzone North Carolina takes a look at a hypothetical “704 Junior Bowl” – players that had a strong junior season that would be considered for a selection if such a game existed in the Charlotte Metro Area….</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284098"],"_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-6788934bca72d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The son of former NFL linebacker Thomas Davis has continued to progress into an even more dominant player after his junior year for the Warriors. Thomas has become a true 3 down player that can affect the game in multiple ways. Thomas had offers from a ton of different schools but committed to play college football at Norte Dame, and that is a great get for the Irish. Davis flies to the football whether it is in the running game, slamming open windows shut with great natural instincts, or covering backs/tight ends in the passing game or zone coverage over the middle of the field. Easy selection for our Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771231"],"_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-6788934bca788"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dallas had another great season leading the Patriots defensively. Dallas was selected as the Southwestern Conference Defensive Player Of The Year along with being selected for All-Conference. From a recruiting perspective, Dallas has offers from just about anyone from a Power 4 perspective and has taken some visits. This past season he had 118 tackles and 9 tackles for loss in only 9 games. Dallas flies to the football, tackles well in space, and does a great job in pass coverage in the middle of the field. Dallas also is a great kid and leader, an excellent personality and demeanor on and off the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1170182"],"_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-6788934bca7ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah had a strong season for the Hawks, and continued to be a dominant presence as an outside linebacker/EDGE player. On the season, he had 84 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. Just some incredible production when you consider he was his team's best defensive player and received the majority of the opposition's offensive focus. To give you an idea of his recruiting, Elijah was recently offered by Ohio State, so things I would say are going pretty well. Elijah has multiple Power 4 offers as well. I spoke with him after a victory earlier in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1829945460460577254?t=8pD6xH8_fCenNGhDrRSj5w&amp;s=19">https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1829945460460577254?t=8pD6xH8_fCenNGhDrRSj5w&amp;s=19</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246060"],"_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-6788934bca811"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year I wrote about Caleb for our rankings update and said that his ranking and notoriety would increase a ton for the upcoming season, and man did that take place in a big way. This isn't a rankings article but Caleb definitely moved up for us and it was a well earned recognition. Caleb was named the Big South Conference Defensive Player Of The Year with over 130 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions. From a recruiting perspective, Caleb's interest definitely increased exponentially. North Carolina, Liberty, Virginia Tech, Appalachian State, &amp; Virginia are just some of the offers Caleb has received. Very happy for this young man's success so far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169874"],"_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-6788934bca852"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brandon is coming off of his 2nd consecutive All-Conference season for the Spartans. He totaled 108 tackles, 51 of them solo tackles, from his inside linebacker position. When I observed him live, I thought he did a great job of playing off blocks in the interior running game and making tackles, making it difficult for the offense to run right at him. His presence helped Sun Valley have a strong season overall, and he is a strong selection for this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600436"],"_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-6788934bca893"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I observed Michael this season, and as an outside linebacker/edge player he was a strong physical presence who did a good job setting the edge in the run game in particular. Michael was an All-Conference selection for the Vikings who had over 80 tackles on the season. With his size, he is pissed to breakout even more this upcoming season for a program known for producing good individual defensive players. I'm excited to see how he progresses going into a big senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896158"],"_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-6788934bca8d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An incredibly productive season for Quintin, who had 122 tackles and 14 tackles for loss on the year, squarely put him on our radar for Junior Bowl selection. Quintin was also a 1st Team Big South All Conference selection in NCISAA play. Looking at Quintin on film, he does an excellent job job defending the run, sifting through the trash to get to ball carriers with excellent speed. Once he gets there, Quintin does a great job at making open field tackles. He doesn't have a ton of recruiting attention, but he definitely should get some looks going into his senior year in my opinion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403556"],"_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-6788934bca916"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacob jumped on my radar when he had 4 sacks in the first game of the season, which was a precursor to a breakout season at his outside linebacker position. Jacob had 52 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks last season on a team with a number of very good defensive players. From a recruiting perspective, Jacob picked up an offer from Appalachian State earlier this month, and has some additional recruiting attention as well. I am excited to see what his senior season has in store for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600427"],"_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-6788934bca95f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With over 100 tackles this past season and an offer from Fayetteville State in hand, I think Lathan is just starting to realize his large potential as a linebacker. I saw him up close at a recent showcase and his athletic ability is off the charts. Lathan shows excellent speed and agility in the open field, and on his highlight film he explodes into ball carriers and flies to the football on a consistent basis. He is a strong selection for this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600415"],"_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-6788934bca9a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seeing Colton live at a recent showcase helped me verify his incredible production this past season. Colton is an aggressive player who is technically sound and does a great job playing fundamentally the right way from his middle linebacker position. This past season Colton has 133 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks which helped earn him a well-deserved All-Conference selection. Colton has had some recruiting attention and should be receiving even more with his production and physical play that helps set the tone for the Panthers defense. He was an easy selection for our Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->