Thomas and Boyles Lead Best of LBs at PRZ WI Showcase

The LB position was home to some top tier talent. From uncommitted senior steals to impressive juniors to up and coming sophomores/freshman. It led to a tough call for MVP of the position, but in the end it was [player_tooltip player_id='1140816' first='Elias' last='Reed'] who earned that honor. Make sure to check out his day in the MVP article. The rest of the position will be covered in this article. It is a group of old-school thumpers and new age, rangy LBs who can thrive in coverage. Coaches, make sure you are diving into these athletes and adding them to your recruiting boards. Also, make sure to check out the available senior leading off this article. Let's get into it!    Milton is late to the recruiting process, but he is well worth the last minute look. He has a fantastic build for the LB position/ 6'2" 220 lbs with a 6'5.5" wingspan and 10" hands. Milton ran a 5.18 40, 4.69 shuttle, and a 7.5 L-Drill. While the combine was solid, when we got into 1 on 1s vs RBs Milton broke out from the crowd. He was quick to get downhill and close gaps before RBs could make a cut or juke. The senior did really well turning and running deep downfield and using that long frame to break up passes. Milton has earned a pair of offers since the end of the Showcase. Coaches, you need to check out the senior.     One of the top 2027 LBs coming out of Wisconsin is Menomonee Falls' [player_tooltip player_id='1512415' first='Connor' last='Boyles']. The 6'2" 196 lbs junior has 6'2.5" wingspan and 9.5" hands. He also crushed the combine with a 4.72 40, 4.5 shuttle, 9'2" and 9'4" broad jump, plus a 6.75 L-Drill. Connor has a strong, explosive frame and it showed up during 1v1s. Connor is so fast to trigger downhill and close on RBs in space. He showed off a great burst coming out of his backpedal to close on any separation that was opened up by the RB in his route. Connor fits the mold of the new age LB. One that is still explosive and violent, but can also play in coverage and be leaned on to take away an RB or TE. This is one of the dudes to know in the Class of 2027.     Bishop is an undersized LB, but he was back bigger and better than ever at the PRZ WI Showcase. Bishop checked in at 5'10" 200 lbs and blew away the combine. 4.91 40, 4.09 shuttle, 9' broad jump, and a 7.05 L-Drill. Bishop is outstanding winning with his explosive burst and short area athleticism. The way he can change direction and accelerate is not common for the LB position. Bishop is able to run tight to RBs through routes because of his short area athleticism. His body control to be able to execute those tight quarter moves. Bishop fits best as a LB/S hybrid and he has the athleticism to be able to win on third down and also move through traffic vs the run. Don't sleep on the LB.     Aiden is your old-school, downhill, punisher at the LB position.He has a massive frame at 6'2" 220 lbs with a 6'2" wingspan and 10" hands. The big LB plays with the physicality that matches that overwhelming frame. He is a downhill LB who can power through OL blocks and get to the football between the tackles. The junior can also pick up RBs on short routes, but he is built to stop the run game and shine on first and second down. This is another dominant 2027 to get your eyes on.     The Wisconsin Lutheran LB could be the target of the vast D3 programs across this state over this offseason. The 5'10" 190 lbs junior lacks the prototypical size, but he makes up for it on the field. August ran a 4.81 40, 4.54 shuttle, and 7.38 L-Drill. Those are all solid numbers, but August finds a different gear on the field. He was so quick to get downhill against the run game, close quickly, and use the sideline to his advantage. The junior also did well playing in space vs the pass too. He is the ability to drop and slide then turn and run with an RB. The LB/S hybrid put himself on the map with his efforts.     An under the radar senior who came out to make an impression was Leonard Biddle of Dominican HS. The 5'11" 190 lbs senior LB has an elite 6'4" wingspan with 10" hands. Having that type of reach is a huge advantage in coverage, giving Leonard a cushion for error and a higher chance to recover. Against the run game Leonard has the burst to play like he was shot out of a cannon, closing quickly and making stout tackles on state. Leonard could be a steal for the D3 level.     Another junior who is at his best playing the run game is [player_tooltip player_id='1226970' first='Zaine' last='Vargas'] of Westosha Central. The 5'11" 215 lbs junior gets downhill in a hurry and is violent when he makes contact. That could be contact with the ball carrier or with an OL. When Zaine is on his path to the ball he gets to top speed and carries it right through the tackle, stuffing them for no extra yards and ending forward progression. This offseason I want to see Vargas continue to improve his burst at the start of closing on the ball to make himself just that much faster. A big summer is on the way for Zaine.     The small school, sophomore LB is an interesting prospect. He obviously needs time to fill out his long, lean frame but that length at 6'2" with a 6'2.5" wingspan looks the part. Tucker caught my eyes in coverage, easily sliding and changing direction. He was able to turn and run downfield with RBs and flashed the ability to play the ball in the air. Tucker is building a solid base of athleticism too. He ran a 5.18 40, 4.56 shuttle, and a 7.38 L-Drill. A kid with Tucker's frame and ability to play in space is well worth keeping an eye on.     The Wausau West freshman LB made the trip down and made a day for himself. The 5'11" 185 lbs LB ran a 5.22 40, 4.66 shuttle, and a 7.5 L-Drill. Being a freshman it is obvious that the freshman is just starting to scratch the surface. Cameron is showing that he can move around is space well, he just needs to continue to get experience and build on how quickly he reacts to route breaks so he can stay tighter to his man throughout the route. The '29 actually has some tape available too, and watching through it you see him stand out with how quickly he can move through traffic, how fluid he is in space, and the fact that he will run through his tackles. Wausau West has pumped out some talented athletes. Cameron could be in that next wave.     The freshman LB out of Kenosha- St. Joseph is a player who has had me intrigued this season. He found ways to contribute on the State Championship winning varsity as a freshman. Then he came out to the Showcase and put together a great day. The 5'11" 160 lbs LB will need to continue to grow and fill out that frame to be a legitimate LB recruit, but his combine suggests he is on his way towards being able to contribute at the next level on defense somewhere. He ran a 4.97 40, 4.65 shuttle, and 7.31 L-Drill. Tommy looked more like a DB in coverage. It looked easy for him to transition out of his backpedal and burst to close on the RB and the catch point to break up passes during 1 on 1s. The natural instincts in coverage boosted his athleticism. I'm be watching Tommy's development.     Anthony is an LB to get your eyes on. The 2027 out of Indian Trail HS sure looks the part of a collegiate LB with his 6'1" 220 lbs frame. This showcase setting where the kids have to play in space and cover ground quickly doesn't fit his game well, but Aker proved he could hang in those scenarios. Where he is at his best is when you turn on the tape and watch him play against the run. He is violent shedding blocks and tackling. The junior moves through traffic well and has a closing burst to the ball. He also can move laterally pretty well. If he can continue to improve his coverage game this offseason we could see the 2027 LB have a massive summer with his size and physicality to pair with that coverage skill set.

The LB position was home to some top tier talent. From uncommitted senior steals to impressive juniors to up and coming sophomores/freshman. It led to a tough call for MVP of the position, but in the end it was Elias Reed Elias Reed 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB/RB Manitowoc Lincoln | 2028 State WI who earned that honor. Make sure to check out his day in the MVP article. The rest of the position will be covered in this article. It is a group of old-school thumpers and new age, rangy LBs who can thrive in coverage. Coaches, make sure you are diving into these athletes and adding them to your recruiting boards. Also, make sure to check out the available senior leading off this article. Let's get into it!