NY 2027 Rankings: LB/DB Prospects

<p>A really strong defensive line group is complimented by some intriguing LB and DB prospects; not many other defensive prospects got good playing time as freshmen, and many of these guys need to grow, getting bigger and stronger, to supplant themselves as prospects at the next level. Some projection is involved with some of these guys, as only one guy on this list has supplanted himself as one of the top players in his section/league.</p>   <p>Check out the 2027 Rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/">HER</a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/rankings/2027-rankings/">E</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sangaray was mainly a reserve player for Iona Prep last season. Although he does have some varsity film, it is a mix of what you see on that tape and what he was able to do in the Elite V showcase that makes him a top-10 player in the State. Sangary has great measurables for the position and flashes some of the elite athletic traits you want to see out of Division 1 level prospects. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Guzi was easily the best Freshman linebacker last season in New York and returns in one of the most talented LB duos in the state. At 6' 200+ as a freshman, Guzi is well on his way to being 210+ and having the ideal build for the next level. When you turn on the tape, Guzi is a step ahead of everyone else and is always around the ball. Guzi is a really solid athlete and will be playing some offense this year. I am interested in seeing if there is some two-way potential here. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Brown is a typical Erasmus Hall LB prospect who shows versatility in his skillset. Brown is a solid athlete who can come downhill and shoot gaps as a blitzer, read what's in front of him, close, and finish ball carriers. Brown shows good upfield burst and can play both as an inside and outside linebacker. Brown shows good tackling technique on tape and consistently breaks down and wraps up.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Nichols had a strong freshman season for Monroe, with 5 INTs against tough competition. With Monroe moving up a class, Nichols and the entire defensive backfield will face even stronger, deeper teams at WR. Nichols is sticky in man coverage; he shows the ability to turn and run with guys efficiently and has good ball skills. Nichols also had a couple of solid INT returns that I think would translate to return skills. He is super quick and shows some explosiveness in space. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Morris is still developing his body, and the RB/LB prospect is part of a very strong Sophomore Class at Liverpool. Morris is big at 220+ pounds and a physical downhill type of linebacker who can even offer some physical reps as a running back. He could grow into a defensive end, being 225+ heading into his sophomore season, and he shows the ability to get off blocks on tape.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tolbert Jr, who started every game for Geneva, put together some solid freshman tape. Tolbert Jr is a physical tackler in space and consistently wraps up. Tolbert Jr did not face a ton of targets as a freshman, and there are not many coverage reps. He sees the game well and quickly reads and reacts to what is in front of him. Tolbert Jr evades blocks well; his quickness and twitchiness in space help him get on the outside shoulder of WRs trying to block him and make plays in space.</p>    <p></p>

A really strong defensive line group is complimented by some intriguing LB and DB prospects; not many other defensive prospects got good playing time as freshmen, and many of these guys need to grow, getting bigger and stronger, to supplant themselves as prospects at the next level. Some projection is involved with some of these guys, as only one guy on this list has supplanted himself as one of the top players in his section/league.