Five Breakout Off-Ball Linebacker Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Off-ball Linebacker is a fun position to evaluate. There are a lot of boxes to check at the position. Just like everyone, you have size, speed, physicality, play speed, etc. Though with linebackers, you really need to focus on IQ, pursuit, leverage, zone coverage, and much more. Below, I give my quick impressions of five off-ball linebackers that caught my eye today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613831"],"_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-697a555d3926b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm happy to see that Steele has released a 2025 Varsity highlight tape. There are some very good moments here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For one, Steele showcases very good play speed. Plays like 0:30 demonstrate great effort, physicality, and ability to maintain leverage while being blocked. Additionally, I do think Steele is an above-average athlete at the position. Finally, Steele is listed around 15 pounds heavier than he was last season. Sounds like Steele has put in the necessary work in the weight room last offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are weaknesses in Steele's game, and some question marks. This is just a highlight tape, but based on this tape alone, I'm confident that Steele has improved since the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16647814/6931b07fe762a8a401ac3383' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a555d395fa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685027"],"_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-697a555d39675"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Man, Ruger has some very promising highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Above all, Ruger is a physical linebacker. Time after time, Ruger takes on blocks with elite effort and physicality. Plus, he's great at maintaining leverage, and doesn't play too out of control like some uber-physical LBs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, Ruger is a good tackler. Sometimes, he's a little too high or doesn't fully wrap up. Though he has a strong grip and does a great job of preventing the opposing ball carrier from gaining extra yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruger does his best when he's playside against an inside or off-tackle run. Watching his highlight tape and the full game against Linden, I'm confident in saying Ruger is a very physical LB with above-average fundamentals. Moving forward, I would like to see better effort when he isn't playside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20027630/69129d0a1e7a4800429c9ba5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a555d396ab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551597"],"_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-697a555d3970f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashton remains on our watch list, but does have a fun highlight tape. Last season, Ashton was mainly utilized at fullback (or power RB). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was incredibly versatile for the fullback position. He earned quite a few touches, and I'm pleasantly surprised with his change of direction and explosiveness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are fewer highlights as an off-ball LB, as it seems that he was a rotational piece on D. Watching his full game against Okemos, I can confidently say that Ashton is a very physical, hard-hitting LB, but his IQ is a step below average. Ashton reacts too slowly for LB, and simply needs to practice playing faster. I really like Ashton's potential as an off-ball LB, especially after looking at his FB/RB highlights. With a lot of practice, Ashton could absolutely be a college prospect at MLB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16915596/69193fcf930670c0e479ec1c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a555d39780"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581331"],"_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-697a555d397e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Similar to the evaluation above, Ryan has a lot more offensive highlights than defensive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Grandville, Ryan played a very good defensive game. He consistently showcased good anchor and awareness, successfully forcing runs inside and filling the correct gap. Offensively, Ryan's highlights consistently demonstrate great physicality, contact balance, and overall grit. Rockford's roster is always gigantic, and they always seem to be very senior-heavy when it comes to starters. Next season, I'm hoping to see Ryan break the starting lineup as an off-ball LB. I know he has the play speed and physicality to do so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18338858/69236dc1776090401cce428e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a555d3981a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1160991"],"_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-697a555d3987e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of reason to be intrigued by [player_tooltip player_id='1160991' first='Robert' last='Giles'] as an off-ball linebacker. For one, his height and frame indicate very high upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His tape is quite solid as well. Defending inside run, Giles has a few very bright moments where he reads, reacts, and meets the ballcarrier right at the line of scrimmage. When unblocked, Giles is a very good linebacker between the tackles and makes sure to finish his tackles. Even when he is blocked, Robert has moments where he successfully maintains leverage, keeps his eyes in the backfield, and successfully attacks when the moment is right (1:18 vs. Mona Shores).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between the tackles, Giles is promising. Next season, I would love to see Giles put on some more muscle and improve his change of direction. I love the size, like the physicality, and think Giles is a very high-upside player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19303352/69125e351e7a4800429c66b3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a555d398b1"} /-->