Eyes in the Backfield: Rising Central Indiana Linebackers

We're heading to Central Indiana today to highlight a group of talented linebackers who are coming off good years and are starting to pick up traction and climb boards.    Winkle is a fast-rising recruit who is starting to pick up steam on the recruiting trail. His length and frame stand out, and then he's got elite range and twitch to go along with it. He accelerates quickly and can get to full speed in just a few steps. He's got fantastic closing speed and eliminates open spaces in a flash. He can move side to side and then drop back into coverage, but is best when he can play loose and free and see things develop. He had 48 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He's recently picked up an offer from Kent State, which is likely just the first of many to be coming.     Paxson is coming off a huge breakout season where he helped lead the Center Grove offense from the middle. He was a reliable tackling machine who was always near the ball. He's got really good vision and instincts after the snap. He trusts what he sees and then collapses towards the ball with good angles. While he can drop back into both man and zone coverages, he's also good against the run, filling gaps. He seems to be fairly well coached and has the ideal frame to play in the second level for a long time. His snap timing and ability to anticipate it set him apart from most other LBs. He ended the season with 127 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, and a fumble recovery while showing why he's quickly climbing boards everywhere.     Adkins is a talented off-ball linebacker with good instincts and vision to play the run. He's got good range and takes long strides. He's good off the edge and can create pressure and has blocked punts, but is best when he's roaming sideline to sideline to make plays. He has strong hands and can wrap up in the open field. He ended his sophomore year with 98 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 pass deflected, and a forced fumble. The upside is there, and the frame is developing.     Wilson is an upcoming linebacker with good range and man coverage skills. He's able to gain depth and drop back into a backpedal like a DB. He can flip his hips and run, and then can play the ball in the air. He has decent ball skills for an LB, which helps him make plays down the field. Whether it's a PBU or an interception, he's got long arms and will lay out to swat at the ball. He ended year 2 with 80 total tackles, 1 TFL, 3 PBUs, and an interception. I like his playstyle and the versatility he offers.     McCracken had a breakout season for East Central and put a lot of good stuff on tape. He's an explosive athlete with a good frame and length. He's able to rush the passer and get after the OL. He can exploit gaps and flies to the ball. Whether he's pressing the line or playing the 2nd level, he's well-coached and doesn't put himself in bad positions. He takes good angles and comes to balance, while being able to contain the edge. His 66 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 interception set the tone for what he can do in year 3.     Mallory is a speedy and fairly agile linebacker with great vision and closing speed. His agility and ability to move side to side keep him in the play virtually at all times. He doesn't cross his feet and will lower his shoulder when making contact. He's not the biggest LB, but he doesn't get pushed around on contact. He's a plus in the kick coverage game as well, being able to get downfield to wrap up and prevent a big return. He doesn't take snaps off and plays through the whistle. His 94 total tackles, 2 blocked punts, 4 TFLs, and 1 interception set the tone for year 3 and showcased his upside.     Heide had a big breakout year for North Montgomery, and it started right off the rip during week 1. He's got an ideal frame and is a good athlete with fantastic range. He chews up yardage in a hurry with his long strides. He can create pressure near the line while having the ability to drop back. He's light on his feet and then has strong hands at the point of attack, which help him work around the block. He's got a good feel for the running game and how to come downhill to wrap up. He ended the year with 69 total tackles while getting better as the year went on.     Powell has quietly developed nicely for Moorsville and has put together really good back-to-back campaigns. Last season, they used him more near the line and let him loose more often, and it paid dividends. He's got a strong core and upper body, which helps him near the line. He's able to shed blocks and make the tackle as the ball carrier comes his way. He can rush the passer and then drop back into coverage. He's good in zone and knows to key in on the QB's eyes and watch his drop. He ended the season with 90 total tackles, 10 TFLs, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble. He's a vital piece for the Pioneers' defense, and will continue to be so this fall.     Nelson stepped up with a breakout year for Cathedral and helped add some depth to a defense that lost some talent to graduation. He's versatile and can play like a DB on the outside and then come inside to play the 2nd level. He'll contain the edge and force the ball back inside. He knows when to break on the ball and come downhill and won't hesitate. He can move sideline to sideline with ease and has good balance. He'll play through the whistle, and with his closing speed, he makes the QB anxious when he's closing in on him. For as much as he played outside and was in coverage, to end the season with 57 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles, I think it speaks volumes about his potential and ability to play on a football field.

We're heading to Central Indiana today to highlight a group of talented linebackers who are coming off good years and are starting to pick up traction and climb boards.