PRZNY: Physical LB’s That Set the Tone

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What is a physical linebacker? They are not only versatile and athletic but also finishing tacklers that meet ball carriers in the hole with purpose. These linebackers set the tone at the point of attack and impact the game in multiple ways. From stopping the run to bringing an edge defensively. See below who made the list!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":2097901,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Calvin Starwald","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"215","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hilton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-695715421609b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Calvin Starwald is a linebacker who plays with strong football intelligence and aggressiveness. Likewise, he will blow over blocks and shoot into the backfield to make TFLs. Starwald displays the speed, quickness, and timing to blitz through the LOS to make forceful plays. He shows excellent range going sideline to sideline with the best of players. Thereafter, Starwald showed flexibility on the offensive side of the ball, being a threat out of the backfield as an FB. Creating blocks for his teammates in the run game was also a huge point of team-first mentality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18878484/69069c416c4b96816ed07ab7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695715421624d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539042"],"_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-69571542162b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1539042' first='Kalin' last='Watkins'] is an athletic SS who consistently triggers downhill and delivers physical hits on ball carriers. What was even more surprising was Watkins has the talent to play as an LB, which he did on multiple occasions. Henceforth, he will block shed with quickness and power in the run game while taking good pursuit angles. Reading and reacting with timing was a major point for Watkins that allowed him to succeed. Another key point is that he did spend time as a QB. Big-time throws, accuracy, and athleticism outside the pocket were evident.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18217506/691d05bc2727ce863ba26004' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69571542162d9"} /--> <!-- 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":2097899,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":" Cam'Ron Bell","_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":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_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":"Greece Athena ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69571f1f366b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A huge coverage LB that was all over the field for Greece Athena. The ability to cover TEs and receivers would flash. Cam'Ron Bell possesses the athleticism and range to track down quick screens and running backs in space. Correspondingly, the ability to get low and make secure tackles was a large point in Bell's game. His combination of range, fluidity, quickness, and processing skills allowed him to be a major defensive presence. Bell had a huge impact on the offensive side of the ball, showing off his breakout speed at RB.&nbsp; Balance against defenders, and breaking off large amounts of yardage was shown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20038769/6901520b206aefcac228a517' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69571f1f36952"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blessed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blessed</a> to be 2nd team all county !!<a href="https://twitter.com/atrojanfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@atrojanfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SecVFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecVFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/TPgXZTNuMx">pic.twitter.com/TPgXZTNuMx</a></p>&mdash; Cam'Ron Bell (@CamBell79536) <a href="https://twitter.com/CamBell79536/status/2002105786298954159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619566"],"_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-69588805c3e58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max Ciavarri was a versatile LB that could line up on the inside or outside for Pittsford. His ability to rush the passer from the edge stood out, showcasing quickness and flexibility. Blitzing from any gap was exposed at all levels on tape, as Ciavarri would get after the passer. No doubt, this is an LB that does not lack speed on the field. Ciavarri is a secure, aggressive tackler who isn't afraid to shoot the A-gap with violence. By and large, Ciavarri had fast hands and strength to push past defenders in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20289622/6913fdcbbc2272d60c0351bc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69588805c3fe9"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Honored to be selected for the first team all stars. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/SecVFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecVFootball</a> for the recognition. <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveMarriott_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveMarriott_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBernas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBernas</a> <a href="https://t.co/wv4WQhlYFx">pic.twitter.com/wv4WQhlYFx</a></p>&mdash; Max ciavarri (@MaxCiavarri) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxCiavarri/status/2002893198101029351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":2098658,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brian Patterson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_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":"Fairport","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69598e3a94588"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brian Patterson was a hard-hitting senior LB that put on an impressive tape in his senior season for Fairport. He relies on first-step quickness, physicality, and agility to impact the game. Important to realize is that Patterson has little fear of attacking ball carriers and blockers. There is really little hesitation in his game. He will get by blocks and deliver big-time hits that send defenders into the turf. Nevertheless, the talent to stop the run and create turnovers was a huge point in Patterson's game that made him an impactful LB.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18879315/690a48798a6d07a60039b1b6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69598e3a9479c"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highly blessed to be selected <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Agtg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Agtg</a> 🙏🏾 <a href="https://t.co/nbN3QO3zdx">pic.twitter.com/nbN3QO3zdx</a></p>&mdash; Brian Patterson jr. (@BLPatterson9) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLPatterson9/status/1993731298033299863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Socials:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/cstar_44">Calvin Starwald (@cstar_44) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/KalinW42">[player_tooltip player_id='1539042' first='Kalin' last='Watkins'] (@KalinW42) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/CamBell79536">Cam'Ron Bell (@CamBell79536) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/MaxCiavarri">Max ciavarri (@MaxCiavarri) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/BLPatterson9">Brian Patterson jr. (@BLPatterson9) / X</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->