5 of Iowa’s 3A C/O 2022 Tackling Machines: Linebackers Part II

Good play at the linebacker position requires a unique athletic skill set, precise instincts, and a willingness to lay it all on the line. Take a look at 5 of the best in Iowa’s 3A C/O 2022 and their distinctive qualities to find out what makes these linebackers verified tackling machines. [player_tooltip player_id="23949" first="Will" last="McLaughlin"], Harlan, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11952049/Will-McLaughlin">hudl</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11952049/Will-McLaughlin">Twitter</a> MLB, 6’3, 220 McLaughlin can line up from anywhere on the field and execute with superior athleticism, technique, and fundamentals; there is no doubt that he is elite from a physical standpoint. McLaughlin uses that superior athleticism to avoid blockers, move smoothly as he tracks the ball, blitz edges and inside gaps, read and fill downhill, and pursue; he is always getting to the ball. It is clear on film that not only are McLaughlin’s instincts off the charts, but so is his football IQ. McLaughlin reacts so quickly and gets to the ball as often as he does because of his ability to diagnose a play, read keys, and know what the offense is likely about to do. McLaughlin would be piling up the tackles on physical ability alone, but his advanced understanding of the game and position he plays is visible on film. He creates many opportunities for himself to make plays as a result of this characteristic. Because of this McLaughlin is whatever he needs to be on any given play. His movement patterns look effortless and are immeasurably explosive. He tackles with textbook mechanics that change the direction of the ball carrier. [player_tooltip player_id="100845" first="Jayden" last="Angle"], Boone, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11789261/5dc10ae95cb31e031c3604b2">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AngleJayden">Twitter</a> MLB, 6’3, 220 Of the many features that exist in Angle’s game, one that makes him such a dominant tackler is his ability to beat blocks coming downhill from the middle linebacker position. Angle has very fast hands that he uses to swipe and strike blockers as he passes them. Angle never stops his feet as he operates inside the box and quickly gets a bead on the play letting his keys take him right to the ball. Angle can dip and bend to reduce surface area; this makes him very difficult to block in any kind of space when paired with his impressive hands. Angle does a terrific job cleaning his cleats at the snap and decisively attacking the play. He is very versatile at middle linebacker and can walk up to the line of scrimmage and blitz or work a saddle technique that allows him to be disruptive in the backfield right away. Angle does the bulk of his damage in the middle, but definitely has more than one side to him. He has shown a knack for working edges and outside gaps. Angle can bend and get flat to run plays down from the backside or blitz the edge and win with a quick first step to blow up a play. He is all over the field. [player_tooltip player_id="100841" first="Wyatt" last="Hatcher"], Lewis Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12890466/5fa6d33615f72508d4682cb7">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/WyattHatcher1">Twitter</a> MLB, 6’3, 218 Hatcher absolutely thumps ball carriers when making tackles and plays with a reckless abandon that leads to a lot of very violent collisions. Hatcher is certainly in the running as one of the biggest hitters in the state as he can blow up a back and take them right off their feet. Hatcher seems to seek out contact and pummels offensive linemen going over and through them when blitzing inside gaps. He is an efficient tackler that sinks his hooks in and prevents anyone from picking up extra yards by moving his feet with great leverage. On the chance Hatcher doesn’t demolish the ball carrier on first contact, his fundamentals are very secure and he isn’t going to miss. What leads Hatcher to a good portion of his tackles, though, is his effort; he never gives up on plays. Hatcher is always in pursuit and very often cleans up missed tackles or can cover a lot of ground and get to receivers after the catch. Hatcher has elite closing speed and shows great bursts of acceleration when he sets his eyes on his target. He can get on his horse and run making plays off tackle and sideline to sideline. Kaiden Knockel, Wahlert Catholic, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11074450/Kaiden-Knockel">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KaidenKnockel">Twitter</a> LB, 5’10, 190 An absolute technician at the hawk tackle when making plays in the box, Knockel does a spectacular job of aiming through the thighs, compressing the legs, and rolling as he moves his feet through to kill any forward momentum. This makes him very efficient, especially when giving up size to a larger back. Knockel is a high energy, incredibly twitchy player in his movement patterns. He has a real flair for finding space at the line of scrimmage and winning with speed. He is also apt in his lateral movements when keys take him side to side then moving downhill or out of the box to make plays. Knockel can change direction suddenly and abruptly without losing speed; he knows how to channel and take advantage of his athletic strengths. Knockel also does a second to none job of eluding tacklers with quick feet and reduced surface area; he is difficult to get hands on in space. He makes plenty of tackles in coverage, breaking from his zone to get to short and underneath routes. Whatever the situation, Knockel remains consistent in his tackling mechanics and has a nose for the ball. Blake Bellamy, Winterset, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11556500/5f009d9db534840b50b69c34">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeBellamy31">Twitter</a> OLB, 6’1, 190 Bellamy is a true 3-4 edge defender at the outside linebacker position who can line up in close proximity shaded on a tackle or play from a little space; either way he does a remarkable job of striking and separating from blockers to condense the line of scrimmage. In this position you have to be able to squeeze and disengage to make plays in between the tackles. You also have to understand how to use inside leverage and track a hip when a play goes outside. Bellamy can do both at a very high level. He stays square and mechanically correct through the point of attack and knows how to get off of a block with quick hands. Bellamy is a fearless tackler who is not afraid to get dirty if he needs to in order to make a play. He has well trained fundamentals that show up often, but playing on the edge doesn’t afford you the opportunity to attack the ball carrier from a square, downhill position as frequently. Bellamy is willing to throw himself into a gap off of separation, chase from the backside, slowplay the ball when in the mesh, and take on lead blockers to get to the ball carrier. He is a shrewd and bold tackler.