Speedy 5: LB’s Built for Pursuit

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the linebacker position, you have to be built with the action of pursuit. In pursuit, you are chasing down the ball carrier and getting involved. These players all have a high amount of pursuit because they have some of the following actions:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1) Speed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2) Sideline-to-sideline motor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3) Strength</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4) Football IQ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5) The want to tackle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["841047"],"_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-6a6bff51add11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christien Franklin is an SS and OLB that is a playmaker all over the field for Monroe High School. At length, Franklin has a strong coverage ability, where he was able to make impressive turnovers. Nevertheless, his confidence and smarts allow him to impact the game in multiple ways on defense. Even more, he will come up and make secure tackles in space on ball carriers. Franklin's ability to come down and play in the box makes him a super versatile player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22277398/673a114b6b211801ac74499cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6c0b05e885c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2263066"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2263931,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6c0b05e88fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2263066' first='Deon' last='Swinnie'] is a playmaker at the LB position that has a fast track all around the field. When operating, he is quick to blitz in all assets of the field, including off the edge if called upon. Swinnie has a strong ability to read ball carriers and has the range to track them down into the hole. Forthwith, this is an LB that makes active tackles with force. The high motor to cover in-zone concepts and on-drops is present, as Swinnie is a fluid player all-around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20422394/6929fae4804979f842c1e7c0u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6c0b05e8933"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you southern Connecticut owls for allowing me to showcase my talents. <a href="https://x.com/CoachWeiss24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWeiss24</a> <a href="https://x.com/GarganoSheldon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GarganoSheldon</a> <a href="https://x.com/Mazon_walker99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mazon_walker99</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachWest5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWest5</a> <a href="https://x.com/LIBLITZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LIBLITZ</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachGeno_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGeno_</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachGTassone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGTassone</a> <a href="https://x.com/WillMargraff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillMargraff</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachbvalenti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachbvalenti</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachTrevT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTrevT</a> <a href="https://t.co/43JOWljw4J">pic.twitter.com/43JOWljw4J</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2263066' first='Deon' last='Swinnie'] (@Deon_swinnie) <a href="https://x.com/Deon_swinnie/status/2081425341113934290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2263070"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2262025,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6c0b05e8991"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2263070' first='Anthony' last='Fiorelli'] is a shooter at the LB who is not afraid to fly into the A and B gaps to make TFLs. This is an LB who is going to be a force into his senior season at Union Endicott because of his natural athleticism and ball instincts. Equally important, Fiorelli's first-step burst that was contagious all over his tape. The ability to slide off blockers and make impactful tackles all over the field was a big part of his game. Correspondingly, his discipline and football IQ are present as he reads plays to take on ball carriers with power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20039945/6936efe85079fbd819534c3fu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6c0b05e89bc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2264217,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6fa79d0730c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas O'Neill is a disciplined LB who operates at both the inside and outside with strength. Even more, he consistently tackles with leverage and takes on blockers from different angles to maintain gaps. Moreover, he is an LB who processes between the run and pass quickly. Timing up plays to shed off blocks at the LOS to then make tackles in the hole was present. Given these points, O'Neill is a TFL machine as he gets into the options backfield at a consistent rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20074381/692cf2e8733bfca19ff84a87u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6fa79d0736b"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you at <a href="https://x.com/ArtAsselta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArtAsselta</a> and <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Conlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Conlin</a> for having me at Fordham University. I had a great time competing and learning. Go Rams! <a href="https://x.com/FORDHAMFOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FORDHAMFOOTBALL</a> <a href="https://x.com/TigerFootballBK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TigerFootballBK</a> <a href="https://x.com/mathiusaleaga_4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mathiusaleaga_4</a> <a href="https://t.co/hr4aTzIHjQ">pic.twitter.com/hr4aTzIHjQ</a></p>&mdash; Thomas O'Neill (@ThomasONeilljr6) <a href="https://x.com/ThomasONeilljr6/status/2065174751975199161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2264226,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2264227,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a6fa79d073d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2264226' first='Dominic' last='Hillin'] is a piece for Rush-Henrietta that will get into the mix at both the MLB and OLB positions. Significantly, Hillin is a LB that will attack ball carriers with pursuit and good angles. Being active on his feet in space to attack ball carriers with closing speed would flash. In essence, being leaned on more as a veteran player in the defense to assist in the run game should be present in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20273147/68ffa87f357d394bfee76967u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6fa79d073ff"} /-->