’26 Rankings Update: The Linebacker Film Room, Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Film is one of the best tools to self-scout, evaluate, and improve. As is the case with any rankings update, we want to celebrate and highlight select prospects who had some&nbsp;<em>really&nbsp;</em>nice film and talk about their game. That said kill the lights, close the blinds, and turn the projector on and join me, as we prepare to enter the film room to discuss what I saw on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538276"],"_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-68276c16acc8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am beginning to think that I am partial to New Providence, as [player_tooltip player_id='1538276' first='Mike' last='Petses'] is <em>at least </em>the third prospect I can explicitly recall writing about. In Petses high points the ball well, while also being able to muscle through contact to come up with the ball as he contests 5050 balls. He has a burst to the sideline, often beating running backs to the perimeter and buying time for his team's pursuit to swarm due to the fact that he keeps his tackling leverage. An adequate reader of keys, Petses can plug gaps effectively, while also getting to his spot, getting his head on a swivel, and rallying to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18449424/670fcb8c8c2b87b5888ecd31' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68276c16acf43"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558128"],"_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-68276c16acfc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Bill Belichick was impressed by Pope John's [player_tooltip player_id='624700' first='Tyler' last='Houser'], the GOAT professional coaches will have his mind boggled when he watches [player_tooltip player_id='1558128' first='Sam' last='Conetta']'s tape. Conetta is a faster linebacker who moves really well in space. This ability to move allows him to get extremely good breaks on the ball and bail to his spot quickly. A disciplined defender, Conetta plays his run fits to the T of the Lion's scheme. This not only applies to run fits, but how he passes routes off between zones too. Conetta might be the straw that stirs Pope John's drink as we see him on film taking command, communicating and adjusting the defensive front. At moments we see Conetta flash outstanding tackling, especially when you consider his pad level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/66f2ba029979b89c425c4532/Sam%20Conetta%20Full%20Season%20Highlights%20","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68276c16acff7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1453896"],"_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-68276c16ad060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are looking for a mike 'backer that can both plug the B gaps and also keep his pursuit leverage beyond the tackle box, [player_tooltip player_id='1453896' first='Trey' last='Tallmadge'] is a good option. In pass coverage, we see him with his head on a swivel looking for any crossers and challenging anything that enters his zone. A down hill player, I thought on tape that Tallmadge read his keys well. Lastly, this diagnosis is usually quick and accurate, allowing himself to make plays underneath through the backside window. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7985418/673d711528075f250ead757c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68276c16ad098"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Rankings Update Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-v">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part V</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-viii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ix">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IX</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-x">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part X</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xiii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xiv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XIV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-athlete-film-room-part-i">Athlete Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-athlete-film-room-part-ii">Athlete Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-back-film-room-part-i">Defensive Back Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-back-film-room-part-ii">Defensive Back Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-i">Defensive Line Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-ii">Defensive Line Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-iii">Defensive Line Film Room, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-i">Linebacker Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-ii">Linebacker Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-iii">Linebacker Film Room, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-offensive-line-film-room-part-i">Offensive Line Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-i">Quarterback Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-ii">Quarterback Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-running-back-film-room-part-i">Running Back Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-running-back-film-room-part-iii/">Running Back Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-special-teams-film-room">Special Teams Film Room</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-tight-end-film-room">Tight End Film Room</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-i">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-ii">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-shake-up-within-the-top-150-ranked-part-i">Biggest Rankings Jump, Ranked Prospects, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-shake-up-within-the-top-150-ranked-part-ii">Biggest Rankings Jump, Ranked Prospects, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-25">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 25</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-75">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 75</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-150">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 150</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-250">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 250</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->