Must-See LBs: Prospects with Film that Popped, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fun part of being involved with state rankings is that I have the chance to come across prospects that I think are total gems. The best part is that I get to celebrate those prospects, write about them, and – hopefully – deliver some deserving attention their way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without further adieu, here are a batch of prospects within the position mentioned in the title that deserve a good look by all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538160"],"_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-67d322c841fd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yes, I am a proud Edison High School alumnus. No, this is not a homer pick. [player_tooltip player_id='1538160' first='Ethan' last='Alcover'] can play some ball. Alcover fits more into that star/nickel/overhang/outside the box-type linebacker mold due to his ability to run, cover, and tackle. Walked out in press, Alcover does a great job getting his hands to jam and give up no freebees. Off the line, however, he appears to see route concepts develop in front of him clearly, which allows him to fly around and lay the wood. He is a solid tackler, doing so at the hips. Although he fits into the category of "raw" for me, he does many things well and gets to the right place, at the right time. That said, half the battle is done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16473978/673046aa0c37e89ce4e1d08e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d322c842159"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1567193"],"_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-67d322c8421a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manasquan's [player_tooltip player_id='1567193' first='Jackson' last='Battaglia'] is more of a traditional outside 'backer based on what I saw on film. Battaglia appears versatile, apexing between #1 and #2, while at other times asked to bump to mike at times. Regardless of his alignment, Battaglia reads keys clearly in order to see hole, hit hole and also get over the top. Battaglia is a good tackler that shows us on film he can vary his tackle between profile and shoulder roll whenever appropriate. I did not initially think that he would be able to bail to his spot drop at first; however, he proved me wrong on film. Lastly, Battaglia wraps well as a tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16458561/6751c4e83a17df12ef3b7901' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d322c8421c9"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1475722"],"_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-67d322c84220a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had some reservations as to whether or not Jersey's class of 2025 had any bonafide Power 4-caliber linebacker prospects. Then I discovered [player_tooltip player_id='1475722' first='John' last='Insinga']. Aside from having the requisite size, Insinga gets to his drops in pass coverage in a hurry, settles, and then sits or spies. Should the quarterback test him, Insinga accelerates extremely well forward and gobbles up space in a hurry. This also shows up on film when he maintains near-side hip leverage in pursuit and can cover tight ends up the seam. He is also quick; quick enough to slip inside and around blockers when they engage with him near the line of scrimmage. Moreover, Insinga can get his hips around to change direction and his leverage with ease. Lastly, he has also shown that he can engage with oncoming blockers and shed them effectively with his violent hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22884012/66e878589f20aeef7e6528a2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d322c842227"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1523177"],"_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-67d322c842263"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopewell Valley had an outstanding season last fall. Part of their success was the headline defensive play of [player_tooltip player_id='1523177' first='Johnny' last='Ellis']. Ellis is a strong tackler who cleans up everything in front of him. Ellis wraps to his leverage sufficiently, while also being able to hit/wrap/drive ball carriers headed downhill, straight at him. A reader of his keys and assignments, Ellis flies to the ball accordingly. Said keys and quickness also allow him to shoot the backside window. I would probably describe Ellis as quicker than he is fast, although he tracks near hips to the perimeter well. Finally, there were a few instances where Ellis pressed oncoming lineman off of him in order to create separation and make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16310548/6736ccef5574b294591a7237' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d322c84227f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2025 Final Rankings Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-i">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-ii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-iii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-iv">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part IV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-v">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part V</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-vi">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part VI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-vii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part VII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-viii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part VIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-ix">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part IX</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-x">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part X</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xi/">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xiii">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xiv">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XIV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xv">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/film-evaluation-notes-for-2025s-new-additions-part-xvi">Film Evaluation Ranking Notes, Part XVI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/rankings-risers-ranked-prospects-whose-stock-shot-up-part-i">Ranking Risers, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/rankings-risers-ranked-prospects-whose-stock-shot-up-part-ii">Ranking Risers, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/worth-the-wait-watchlist-prospects-that-waxed-the-rankings-pt-1">Watchlist Risers, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-athletes-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Athletes, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-athletes-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-ii">Must-See Film: Athletes, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-dbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Defensive Backs, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-dbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-ii">Must-See Film: Defensive Backs, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-d-linemen-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Defensive Linemen, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-d-linemen-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-ii">Must-See Film: Defensive Linemen, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-lbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Linebackers, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-lbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-ii">Must-See Film: Linebackers, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-o-linemen-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Offensive Linemen, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-qbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i/%E2%86%97">Must-See Film: Quarterbacks, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-rbs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Running Backs, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-tes-prospects-with-film-that-popped">Must-See Film: Tight Ends</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/must-see-wrs-prospects-with-film-that-popped-part-i">Must-See Film: Wide Receivers, Part I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->