2025 Rankings Watch List Deep Dive: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code&nbsp;<strong>PaulG30&nbsp;</strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089997"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Merrill is a no brainer to enter into our linebacker rankings in the next update, and has some impressive Junior tape from his inside linebacker position. He is a true middle of the box thumper with a throwback and downhill play style and is a sure tackle in the box while exploding through contact and a true run stuffer. He can weave through traffic with a low hat, get off blocks with a strong shock and is a high motor kid that can quickly diagnosis plays and trigger outside the tackles while showing good open field speed and pursuit angles in space, especially for his size. He will fit nicely at the middle linebacker position in college and is a very high quality D3/D2+ prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eba76a4aa0b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136062"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Capital High School product is another candidate that will enter into our rankings in the next update and had one of the more productive years of any linebacker across the region in 2023. He will be a no brainer to enter into our positional rankings in the next update, and is one of the hardest hitters in the state from his outside linebacker spot. Although a bit undersized, he is a violent in the box player that explodes through contact, can track down ball carriers backside while taking good angles into the backfield and is able to get off blocks and redirect with ease. He plays with a high motor at all times and is always around the ball with impressive instincts and a high football IQ while knifing into the action and taking on bigger blockers to blow up a play. He is another next level kid without a doubt at the OLB/SS position and should draw college interest here soon.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eba76a4aa67"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089998"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Neff is a very athletic second level defender that is another kid that has had a very productive career for one of the top programs in the state of Idaho. He is a smooth athlete in space, a natural peddler and can quickly trigger and redirect to track down ball carriers in the open field while showing he can apply pressure from off the edge with bend and hand usage. In coverage, he can cover tight ends and slot receivers while showing quick COD abilities and is a sure tackler in the open field. Look for Neff to be atop the tackle leaders within the region in 2024 and look to build upon his impressive '22 and '23 campaign.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eba76a4aaae"} /-->