Midseason Sophomore Check-In: Linebackers

At this point in the season, most prospects have posted multiple weeks of highlights. Now, we're starting to see which class of 2028 prospects are breaking out on Varisty, and who is on track to eventually earn offers. Here's a midseason check-in regarding some highly-ranked linebackers!    Still expecting Camden to develop into a Power 4 linebacker, though he's been an all-star at running back this season. Heck, I could see him flip-flopping to a RB-first prospect.   Noe is a major reason why Portage Central is undefeated and a State Championship contender. Just watch his first highlight. Running up the gut, Camden displays excellent contact balance and good speed. Think Isaiah Pacheco. Camden runs angrily, and most high school defenders are going to get tired of trying to bring him down.   Linebacker, running back, whatever- this is Camden's breakout season, and he's quickly emerging as one of the best high school football players in Michigan.      Antonio is developing into a good linebacker. I was able to watch him this past weekend against Dakota, and I was happy to see him start. In addition, he did well against the inside run. That also shows up on tape. Playing Mike, Antonio does a good job keeping his eyes in the backfield, and attacking if and when a ballcarrier rushes between the tackles. Plus, plays like 0:12 show Antonio on a QB spy.   Great physicality, developing athletesism, and developing nicely in the IQ department as well. I like where Antonio is at!      I like what [player_tooltip player_id='1687388' first='Booker' last='Jones'] has shown as a Varsity OLB/DB. Good upside at both positions. Namely, he's physical, and has several hustle plays on tape. In the tape below, 0:42 is a true sideline-to-sideline play. Then, 0:58 shows some of his zone coverage abilities. Great job dropping back, then high-pointing the ball to break up the pass.   Generally great hustle. So many of these highlights wouldn't exist without Booker playing through the whistle. I love the physicality, and I'm intrigued by his explosiveness. I know from last week that he's a real competitive player as well. Whether it's at DB or LB, I still expect Booker to develop into a Division 1 prospect.      Marti'Nez is developing well at the JV level. At outside linebacker, Culp has a handful of promising run stops. 0:47 and a few other highlights show Culp stop runs from the backside. Always great to have an explosive OLB who can get into the backfield faster than the developing run. I also like how Culp anchors down, stays home, and makes the tackle at 1:28.   It's JV ball, so I'll wait until there's Varsity tape for me to give a more serious evaluation on my college spreadsheets. For now, I'm still confident that Culp will develop into a great Varsity player.      A good bit of Varsity tape for Cobb. Has absolutely earned a rankings boost.   0:37 is a geat rush off the edge. Nice job shedding the initial block, then getting hands on the QB. Similarly, at 0:48, Landon makes a nice inside move and once again gets home to the QB. 1:03, Landon earns a stop from the backside.   All-around great effort. Good highlights as an on-ball linebacker. I'd still like to see upgrades when it comes to explosiveness, pass rush moves, and IQ.

At this point in the season, most prospects have posted multiple weeks of highlights. Now, we're starting to see which class of 2028 prospects are breaking out on Varisty, and who is on track to eventually earn offers. Here's a midseason check-in regarding some highly-ranked linebackers!