Deep Dive Into the Future Steals of the ’27 LB Position

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a Prep Redzone subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A position that has produced at a consistently strong, and impactful, rate here in WI is the LB position. The quarterback of the defense. The tackle machines who roam the field from sideline to sideline, fill gaps between the tackles, and set the tone for the entire defense. The Class of 2027 has a special group of talent at the position with multiple who will play D1 football and dozens who will be committing to the D2/D3 levels. With so much talent at the position we need to make sure nobody is flying under the radar heading into summer camps. So let's sit down, turn on the tape, and really dig into the depth of this position to find some talented steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866281"],"_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-69f91f35c5034"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right off the bat, coaches will absolutely love the way this kid tackles. The highlights start with his decleating RBs, including an RB noticeably bigger than himself. It jumps off the tape how strong and physical Braden is. He may be only 5'11" 195 lbs, but that hasn't stopped him from violently shedding blocks and getting into the backfield to make stops. Overall Braden is really talented at playing through traffic and getting to the football. Plus he flashes that football IQ where he understands where the ball is going to end up, getting there, and making the play. It is great to see that he also plays on offense and his speed has been able to create big plays. Braden is a well rounded athlete at the LB position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1733905"],"_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-69f91f35c5082"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">John is a heat-seeking missile on the football field. He absolutely flies around the field, showing easy range to chase down the ball sideline to sideline. The '27 LB is outstanding with his blitzing, showing explosive acceleration along with great instincts for timing the snap. That athleticism has also allowed him to spy QBs and bring them down 1 on 1 in space. The 6'2" 200 lbs athlete has the speed, change of direction, and length to be able to play in coverage. John also has a great sense for when to leave his initial assignment and attack the football to make a play. John has the talent to make plays within his original assignment and when things break down. Don't sleep on the 2027 ILB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230630"],"_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-69f91f35c50a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatility is a major strength of Jayden's game and the highlight reel supports that. This is an athlete who can line up on the edge and rush the passer one play and the next line up off the ball and drop into coverage. Coming off the edge Jayden has learned how to use strong hands to keep separation and has flashed the ability to turn his burst into power to bull rush. It is impressive to see him flip the switch and be able to drop, transition out of that backpedal, and close on the ball to either make the tackle or break up the pass. He is a fantastic tackler who has shown the closing burst to be corral explosive athletes in space. The 6'1" 205 lbs athlete has three down ability at the LB positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2034636"],"_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-69f91f35c50cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I agree that at 6' 190 lbs the 2027 LB out of Darlington could be labeled as undersized. But I can't say I have seen it drag his game down. Despite that size disadvantage, Dante is a monster between the tackles. He is so twitchy and explosive through traffic, making it extremely tough for OL to get hands on him. No question, the 2027 has the ruggedness and toughness necessary to handle the physical responsibility of the position. Dante has excellent range to be able to blitz effectively from inside or outside. Plus he plays with the athleticism that you expect to see from a safety, which could be where his future home is at. The small school standout definitely needs to be on college coaches' radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103559"],"_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-69f91f35c50ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arrowhead will be looking for that leader in the middle of their defense this season, and one of the men up for the job is [player_tooltip player_id='2103559' first='Arian' last='Elrod']. The 6' 220 lbs 2027 LB has the size and has varsity experience already. His midseason highlights from 2025 show a strong LB who can take on OL, hold his ground tough, and then shed and tackle. Arian flashes the ability to play through traffic and the motor to chase down the ball when it breaks containment. Arian also did well throughout his tape mirroring the RB and meeting them in the hole and proving to be a stout tackler who shuts down forward progression. I'm excited to watch Arian breakout in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335730"],"_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-69f91f35c510b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brock is a gap sound, stout run defender at the ILB position. His tape highlights so many examples of him filling his gap and stuffing RBs in the hole. I really like the power he flexes while running through the attempted blocks of OL on his way to the RB. Brock also does well navigating through traffic and avoiding all the trash that can pile up between the tackles. The '27 LB is also very quick to find the football. Especially in the run game where he quickly meets the RB in the hole. This is another undersized athlete, but at 6' 200 lbs the frame is there to continue to add size at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620362"],"_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-69f91f35c512a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colten fits the mold of the old-school, thumper of an ILB prospect. He has the massive frame at 6'2" 220 lbs and uses it well to punish ball carriers. The big fella is stout, physical, and tough. Built for defending the run game and can do so with his strength to shed blocks or some lateral agility to avoid the OL at times. Colten also has several clips showing a high motor where he makes tackles in pursuit deep downfield to save a TD. The big man has also shown that he can provide some good coverage in the short to intermediate levels of the field. Reichert could be a riser this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braylon Stegall","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_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":"West De Pere","_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-69f91f35c5232"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is more of an LB/S hybrid coming out of West De Pere. The D2 State Champion has an impressive skill set that shined on the state's biggest stage last November. He has a fantastic blend of speed and power. A blend that allows him to be equally impactful against the run game and passing game. When comign downhill Stegall has an explosive burst that allows him to fly through gaps and gives OL only an instant to try and get hands on him. When he meets the ball carrier he shows off his power, standing up the ball carrier and driving them backward or to the ground. Then in coverage Braylon is a kid who can go from midfield to the sideline while watching the QB's eyes. Flipping his hips, running, and changing direction look just as natural as his run support. He is definitely more of that hybrid LB/DB than a pure LB, but he is a chess piece to keep a close eye on this summer.S</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->