Deep Dive: Gaston/Cleveland County Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte Football Insiders is taking a look at ranking the top Charlotte Metro Area players by position, and we're taking a look at those players in those rankings in a Deep Dive analysis series. In these articles, we will share why these players are ranked and their best attributes as potential college-level football players in their respective futures. This will feature Gaston &amp; Cleveland County Linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1669086,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/33.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1669086" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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-681ae5695d024"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caleb had a very strong season last year, which has skyrocketed his recruiting to Power 5 levels, and it is all very much deserved. Caleb is aggressive coming downhill and is like a missile to ball carriers in the backfield. He has improved his strength and plays off of attempted blocks by interior linemen and backs very well. Caleb is a true 3-down linebacker as he shows the speed and intelligence to play both man and zone assignments in pass coverage. It will be fun to see where he ultimately decides to play on the next level. </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-681ae5695d0b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lathan has some excellent size for the linebacker position and has done well in previous offseason camps and showcases. Showing excellent speed and athleticism, I also saw Lathan in a playoff game last season and I liked how he came up and supported in the running game - something that he saw a good bit of in his area of the state he played in. I think that as long as Lathan continues to improve his instincts and trust his eyes consistently, he can develop into a player that colleges will be interested in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Landon Hollifield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Shelby","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681ae5695d1b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 75 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, Landon came into his own in his sophomore year for the Golden Lions. The Hollifield name is a tradition for the Golden Lions, and Landon makes the name proud as he plays with very good speed and anticipation. Landon also tackles ball carriers well in space, showing good technique and the ability to solo tackle. Making more plays in the passing game will be a key for Landon to show that he has true 3-down linebacker ability to play on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608319"],"_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-681ae5695d22a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max plays running back and linebacker for the Bulldogs, but I think he's more impactful, and his future right now is on the defensive side of the football. I like the aggression Max plays with - he plays defense with an offensive mindset, which is the best way I can describe it. Max simply loves getting to the football and putting offensive guys in the dirt who have the football in their hands. I think him bulking up a little bit will allow him to take that pounding that comes with being a two-way player even more and he'll be able to have a consistent impact for all four quarters on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904263"],"_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-681ae5695d294"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chris has been one of my favorite players for the last couple of years over in Gaston County. He has grown physically and is one of the leaders of a young Storm team that started to take some steps in getting better as the season went on. Chris does a good job of getting to the football when he's able to run free and shows some potential sideline-to-sideline ability with his overall speed and agility. Chris should pick up some college interest with some strong performances at camps and showcases coming up this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Other Linebackers To Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chris Gunter - Crest - Chris is a tackling machine in the middle of a Chargers defense that has big-time aspirations this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nehemiah Parker - Crest - Another dynamic defender for the Chargers - I like Nehemiah's speed and athleticism in getting to the football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Javerian Jeffries - Ashbrook - Coming over from rival Hunter Huss, Javerian should form a dynamic duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1246060' first='Caleb' last='Gordon'] in the middle of the Green Wave defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden Fortenberry - Stuart Cramer - Brayden has some good size and is a multi-sport athlete who has some real potential for a strong season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nasramein Knox - Forestview - I expect Nasramein to be one of the leading tacklers for a Jaguars squad who is hoping for some growth and progress after a tough season last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->