Rize LB Top Performers Part II

Continuing our conversation of the best linebackers in attendance at the Rize, we have a fresh list of 2030 linebackers that deserve our attention after the performances they put on Saturday. Covering from Indiana to Texas and all the way to New England, backers from across the country flocked to NJ to prove that they are some of the best in the class. Leaving no doubt after the Rize, each of these players showed that they are forced to be reckoned with.    Tall with plenty of room to continue filling out, AJ Nuetzel has the frame coaches look for at the position. He showed impressive comfort in coverage Saturday afternoon, staying sticky with his assignment while displaying fluid hip movement. AJ's ability to anticipate routes allowed him to gain an early jump on receivers, and he looked natural dropping into coverage. As he adds strength to his frame, he has the physical tools to develop into a highly sought after backer.     Physically, Ashton Brunner is built well beyond his years. He's jacked for his age, with thick, tree trunk legs and a low center of gravity that allows him to generate leverage and project as a punishing tackler between the hashes. His 4.98s 40-yard dash showed he has the speed to flow downhill and pursue ball carriers from sideline to sideline. In coverage, he had some tougher reps against the more agile running backs, but those are valuable learning moments at this stage. As Ashton's technique in space continues to develop, his physical tools give him a very high ceiling.     Jetto certainly looks the part of a dominant linebacker, boasting a powerful lower body and the physical build to thrive at the position. While he wasn't among the fastest testers in the morning drills, his play speed throughout the event told a different story. He moved well in space, flipped his hips naturally, and showed he could carry running backs in coverage without looking stiff or getting his feet stuck in the mud. The trip from Texas proved to be well worth it, as Jetto put together a performance that should have plenty of people taking notice.     One of the most physically developed linebackers in attendance, [player_tooltip player_id='2070614' first='Sawyer' last='Jones'] looked every bit the part from the moment he stepped onto the field. His lateral quickness stood out throughout the Rize, showing he can scrape across the formation and turn to chase down ball carriers with ease when the pads are on. Sawyer's versatility suggests he can be effective as either an outside linebacker or in the middle, giving a defense plenty of options. With his combination of athleticism and physicality, he's a linebacker built to make plays all over the field.     Making the trip from Georgia, [player_tooltip player_id='2146855' first='Kaison' last='Huff'] proved that size isn't everything. Though smaller than some of the other backers in attendance, he quickly caught our attention with his performance on the field. His ability to decelerate, redirect, and change directions effortlessly was one of his biggest strengths, allowing him to react quickly to what was unfolding in front of him. Those movement skills should translate well when diagnosing plays and closing on ball carriers, making him a linebacker worth keeping an eye on.     What stood out the most at Rize for Darin Shaw coverage ability, where he consistently looked comfortable running with backs out of the backfield. His longer stride and leg length helped him stay stride for stride, even when matched against quicker RBs in space. He showed the athleticism and awareness needed to stay in phase throughout reps. It was an encouraging look overall, and he's a player I'm excited to track closely heading into the fall.

Continuing our conversation of the best linebackers in attendance at the Rize, we have a fresh list of 2030 linebackers that deserve our attention after the performances they put on Saturday. Covering from Indiana to Texas and all the way to New England, backers from across the country flocked to NJ to prove that they are some of the best in the class. Leaving no doubt after the Rize, each of these players showed that they are forced to be reckoned with.