The Best Traits for our Top 5 LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of these linebackers have Division 1 upside. Plus, these guys are a lot more similar than they are different. When It comes to our Running Backs and Quarterbacks, there's a lot of different types of players there. For a linebacker, you have to be physical, you have to be fast, and you have to be confident. Not a ton of wiggle room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That said, here's the best trait held by our top 5 Linebackers. Five different traits, but really, these are similar types of players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566881"],"_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-68047491d76ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheating a little bit here. Nathan is very fast on the field, but he's also extremely fast mentally. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scouting Nathan against Saline last year firmly solidified him as my LB1. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15212890/66dbcfabbb770aa0a840b37f">Watch the tape against Saline and you'll see why</a>. Time and again, Nathan diagnosed a play quickly, and used his elite speed to make a quick tackle. Against the inside run, he reacted quick enough to cut under blockers and make tackles for short-yardage. Even as a Mike Linebacker, Nathan is able to react quickly to screen passes, sprint to the sideline, and make a tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am confident that Nathan will succeed at Toledo. I think he's an absolute steal for the Rockets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568196"],"_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-68047491d775b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheating a little here, because I beleive he's committed to UCF as a Tight End. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either way, I love Charlie's physicality. Someone tries to block him? Charlie lays down a shoulder and makes them think twice. Try to run through him? Don't even think about it. <br>Being physical is a lot easier said than done. Listen, I played Rugby in college, and I learned first-hand that when I'm tired, it's really hard for me to be physical. It's obvious that Charlie is extremely well-conditioned, not afraid to hit, and he's just flat-out fearless out there. Whatever position Charlie plays in college, his physical mentality should carry him a long way. College Football will be a massive step up in competiton, but as long as he keeps his edge, he'll succeed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568100"],"_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-68047491d77df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brody has been asked to do a lot over the past couple of years. He has some experience on offense, and that's a factor in his versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mainly, he's a very versatile player on defense. Brody can play Mike, Will, Safety, etc. Really, anything but defensive tackle, Brody can play at a high level. Plus, he's playing fast and physical at every part of the field. That's why he's ranked #48- very high-upside player who can play a variety of positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251326"],"_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-68047491d785d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletesism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah is one of the highest-upside players in this class, largely because of his athletic ability and size profile. There are a few examples of great athletic ability on tape. 0:23 is a very good interception showing off solid change of direction and good hands. At last year's GVSU prospect camp, Elijah flashed high-end athleticism during each and every drill. He's still a bit raw and slow to react at times, but the upside is unquestioned. As long as Elijah can work hard and commit to improving the little things at the next level, Elijah could be a great college football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568188"],"_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-68047491d78da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Consistentcy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been very up and down on Drew over the years. When Drew was a freshman, I was incredibly impressed by his athleticism and contact balance as an RB. Then, he transitioned to DB, and I honestly didn't think he had the speed or explosiveness to succeed at that position. Now, he's an all-state D1-offered Safety / LB- two positions he's flawlessly transitioned into. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through that came incredibly steady, consistent work. This is a player I've seen several times every single offseason. A guy who, despite a few position changes, has never lost hope and always improved. Now, he's a reactive defender, extremely physical, and man, has he been consistent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->