Class of ’27: WNY LBs

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="'wp-block-heading'">Best of the Best</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513366' name='Kamron Minter'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1494106' name='McKinley']) - Minter was an unsung hero for the Macks last season. In his breakout sophomore season, he racked up 82 tackles (10 for loss) 8 sacks and a fumble recovery for a TD. Kamron is a speedy EDGE rusher with a wicked first step. Few OTs could match his speed and he has the ability to take on blocking RBs. His junior year should bring about several post season accolades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513378' name='Micah Anderson'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1490814' name='West Seneca West']) - Anderson is a tough, gritty player that will do the dirty work between the tackles on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a bulldozing runner with solid speed. On defense, he has excellent instincts and tackles with aggression. Expect Micah to lead the Warhawks in rushing and tackles as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1639431' name='Rami Carney'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1501989' name='Kenmore West']) - Carney was a name that was new to me until I saw him play in the playoffs. He was a player that was all over the field on O &amp; D. As an OLB, he is fast off the edge to rush the passer but also has the athleticism to drop into coverage. Rami is a physical specimen that will draw much collegiate attention in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513357' name='Dontre Hampton'] (Bennett) - Hampton finished his first full season on varsity as a sophomore and while his numbers were not off the charts, he has displayed the intangibles needed to be a solid prospect at several different positions. Going into his junior season, Dontre has the potential to be that X factor [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1500479' name='Bennett'] will need in all three aspects of the game. He has good fundamentals and is a solid tackler. With experience at RB and LB, it's hard to say right now where his future lies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1514902' name='Damone Harden'] (St. Joe's) - One of the few sophomores on the St. Joe's varsity roster last season, Harden made an impact in a sparing role. Damone has excellent awareness with sound football intuition. The Marauders are losing 3 playmaking DL to graduation so the door may open to him taking one of those spots. But in their 3-4 scheme, he can also make a name for himself as a dynamic outside EDGE rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="'wp-block-heading'">Rising the Ranks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1477121' name='St. Francis'] went out and got one of the electrifying LBs in Section VI in [player_tooltip player_id='1639430' name='Luke Fleischman']. Fleischman got lost in the shuffle while at Pioneer but he is expected to take on a much larger role with the Red Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1497194' name='Orchard Park'] is always a perennial powerhouse and next season, they will look to junior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1649119' name='Matthew Wright'] to lead their defense. Wright played exceptionally well last season and is incredibly versatile. He can play sideline-to-sideline as a Mike or on the outside rushing the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="'wp-block-heading'">Players to Watch in 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several new names I recently came across were</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513261' name='Davion Blackwell'] (WNY Maritime/Tapestry) - An aggressive tackler with excellent pursuit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513375' name='Terrance Ware Jr'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1497437' name='Lackawanna']) - A stout MLB that can stuff the run; a much needed trait in the run-heavy Class B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1371661' name='Jon Landen'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1487528' name='North Tonawanda']) - Aggressive at the point of attack with good technique</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1814175' first='Danny' last='Lares'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1483868' name='Williamsville South']) - An agile player that can lineup anywhere on the field</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1814173' first='Nick' last='Williams'] ([highschool_tooltip highschool_id='1499765' name='Cleveland Hill']) - Small in stature but could be a physical force</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->