Tale of the Tape: Top Bay Area Linebackers

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2247307,"_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-6a5558c4bbf27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The DLS product is hands-down one of the best players in the bay area and is going to be a big time steal in the 2028 class. He is extremely athletic for his size, tackles well in space and closes quickly when collapsing into the backfield. He shows good change of direction has a high IQ, and can sniff out plays while seemingly always around the ball and making plays from sideline to sideline. It's only a matter of time until he collects his first P4 offer and he should have a truly breakout season this Fall and burst onto the recruiting scene. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2247314,"_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-6a5558c4bbfaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mendoza is a banger in the middle of this Heritage defense and is a big time thumper that gets downhill quickly and packs a punch at the POA. He is another high motor kid that can knife into the backfield and apply pressure from various angles while running through contact and bringing immense physicality to the ball. He is everywhere on the field and shows good range and lateral movement/change of direction and is going to be a big time steal for a college program here late in the process. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2247315,"_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-6a5558c4bc01a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buckley is one of the more under-recruited linebackers in northern California and is a plus sized kid with elite length and a very versatile skillset that should transition well to college. He runs well to the ball, covers a ton of ground and packs of punch at the point of attack while able to quickly shock and shed off blockers and make plays outside the tackles. He excels in coverage and can run downfield with bigger backs and receivers and has pass rush abilities off the edge with natural bend and a few moves in his toolbox. A two-way starter for Rancho Cotate, he also plays tight end and is a smooth mover downfield with strong hands and excels when making contested catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652764"],"_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-6a5558c4bc085"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Munoz is one of the top 2028 linebackers across the region and is a high motor playmaker that is always around the ball. He performs well timed pressures, tackles well while able to knife into the backfield in space and can dip/bend around bigger blockers on his way to the backfield. Munoz shows the ability to make plays outside the tackles in the open field and flashes natural ball skills and bump and run coverage abilities downfield. He should have a monster Junior season for Liberty and is a top Bay Area name to note amongst the elite defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->