2027’s Hidden Hammers: Tacklers Who Bring the Pain

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am continuing my series of looking at underrated Colorado players. Today, I will be diving into the 2027 class and its tacklers. There is a ton to like about this class, and a lot of potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318056"],"_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-6851b3fe6ffa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nico is starting this list off with an impressive sophomore season. He ended up #5 with total tackles. 102 tackles (34 solo, 68 assisted), 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 6 QB pressures. Bennett-Battaglia has good athletic ability due to very good speed, good acceleration, lateral agility, jumping, and solid change of direction. Nico has very good competitive toughness due to consistently playing through the whistle and helping his teammates finish tackles. Very good get off speed and block shedding. Bennett-Battaglia is a very good tackler and run stopper. He stops the ball carrier in their tracks. He plays downhill while also having the range to prowl sideline to sideline. He consistently demolishes the blocks and was making an impact in the backfield or stuffing the run. Keep an eye on him !</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635111"],"_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-6851b3fe70031"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Basham measures in at 5'11 180-pounds and himself a nice season. He had 84 total tackles (63 solo, 21 assisted) 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QB pressure, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 blocked punt, and 1 blocked field goal with 24 carries for 137 yards. Basham was used as a MLB and a read option wildcat QB. He has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, good change of direction, lateral agility, and jumping. Basham consistently keeps his eyes on the QB, leading him to a tackle. Plays with a head full of steam, and doesn't stop till until after the whistle. He starts with an explosive quick step, and runs downhill. He is a strong tackler, stopping the ball carrier in their tracks. Very good run stopper. Basham is a very good blitzer, he fits through the gaps to get the TFL. When he's placed on the edge, he shows a good bend with a good bull rush. I'm very excited to see how he does during his junior season !</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635101"],"_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-6851b3fe7009e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Galindo showed off both his running back abilities as well as linebacking this past season for Greeley Central. He had 35 carries for 265 yards with 2 touchdowns, 88 total tackles (25 solo, 63 assisted), 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 5 QB pressures, 2 FF, 1 FR, and 2 pass deflections. Galindo has good athletic ability due to good speed, acceleration, jumping, lateral agility, and change of direction. Galindo has a quick step out of his stance. Runs downhill to stuff up gaps or end up in the backfield. Galindo has very good tackling and is a good run stopper. Galindo really shines as a blitzer. He has good range to go sideline to sideline, and I'm excited to see more of him !</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":"Liam Yoder","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_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":"Limon","_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-6851b3fe70194"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yoder had himself a solid outing for his sophomore year! He had 84 total tackles (19 solo, 65 assisted), 4 TFL, 2 INT, and 3 FR. Yoder has good athletic ability due to very good speed, jumping, good acceleration, lateral agility, and change of direction. He uses his athletic ability to have success in the passing game. Yoder has good mental processing by consistently watching the QB's eyes leading him to the tackle. He has good get off speed, and demonstrates very good block shedding. Yoder is a very good run stopper, eating them up for breakfast. Keep an eye out for Yoder as he continues his development!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635117"],"_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-6851b3fe70202"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thurnes had himself a nice sophomore season. The 5'8 190-pound linebacker had 77 total tackles (42 solo, 35 assisted), 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 18 QB pressures, and 1 forced fumble. Thurnes has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, change of direction, good lateral agility, and speed. Thurnes uses his quick explosive ability to gain the upper hand on the offense. He rushes the gap quickly allowing himself to get in the backfield. Good get off and good block shedding. Very good bull rush to knock OL off their feet. Thurnes has very good competitive toughness by consistently helping his teammates finish tackles and playing through the whistle. Keep an eye on Thurnes as he continues his development. !</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->