Stats: 11 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 94 All Purpose Yards, ,1 TDrnJack has long been a stout run defender. He continued that in Week One as a senior. Lesher has strong instincts for the position. He reads plays quickly and is able to put himself in the most advantageous position to make the play. He has the strength to take on and shed blocks before making the play, and Jack showed off solid lateral agility to be able to make tackles on shiftier, smaller athletes. We also got to see Jack show off range and that he is comfortable out in space defending the pass. Jack brought the same physical style of play to offense where he ran through defenders on the way to a big day on the ground too.

Jack is a force in the middle of the Marmion Academy defense. He is a downhill, hard-hitting thumper against the inside run. Lesher can shed blocks with power or get around block attempts with his agility. When he meets an RB in the hole he is a very sound tackler who explodes into the ball carrier and runs his feet. You will rarely see him go backwards when tackling. Lesher also has proven that he has some range to his game to be able to pursue outside the tackle box. He also can line up out in the slot and play with enough range to cover a zone. His quick ability breakdown a play adds to his range because he can quickly get himself in position to make a play. He is definitely one of, if not the best, off ball LB still uncommitted in IL.

We got some linebackers on deck to finish up this list of the state’s hardest hitters in the 2024 class, and first up we’ll be heading west to Aurora and Butterfield Road where Marmion Academy’s 6’3, 210 lber. Jack Lesher Jack Lesher 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Marmion | 2024 State IL has been crushing opponents the past three years for the the Cadets. He now finds himself among his classes hardest thumpers, and holds a FBS offer from Akron for his efforts, as the Zips also appreciate his hard-hitting ability on the gridiron. The physicality also extends to the wrestling mat, where he won a Class 3A 182 lb. state championship this past spring. The wrestling background certainly helps in the physicality department, which you see in the opening play of his 2022 highlights, where he sticks a RB right in the chest and squashes him like the poor kid didn’t even see it coming. He hits opponents so hard he sends them airborne, can go chest to chest with powerful RBs in the hole and easily send them backward, and even has a couple wrestling-esque slams where he lifts the RB off his feet and hard into the turf on his head in WWE-like fashion. He overpowers and man handles ball carriers like they’re JV players, and is a total thumper at the point of attack and brings so much power into the contact point that even bigger TEs can’t help but leave their feet. Lesher posted 73 tackles, 2 TFLs, 5 PBUs, and 1 INT last fall and is poised for a big senior year. Nothing helps make a big hitter like a wrestler!

A ’24 who is quickly becoming one of the biggest hidden gems at the LB position is the 6’3″ 210 lbs Jack Lesher Jack Lesher 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Marmion | 2024 State IL . Jack personifies the idea of being the hammer instead of the nail. He absolutely smacks ball carriers and ends plays soon after he makes contact. Lesher’s instincts and play recognition are also major strengths to his game. He is able to quickly diagnose plays and get himself in position to make plays. A major key to Jack’s game is his ability to drop into coverage, have that same quick play recognition, and the range to be able to close on the ball. Jack looks like a future three down LB. Don’t miss out on him. I believe he is looking for his first offer.

Mr. Lesher can work across various linebacker positions and make his impact felt in run support. Talk about a rangy run-stopping linebacker, standing at 6’3 he can secure tackles slightly outside his frame which is seen when he takes pursuit angles to secure open field tackles. One clip in pass coverage stands out where he uses his long reach to deflect the pass on a corner route even though he’s underneath it to force a pass breakup. So far, he’s put up solid numbers for the Cadet’s defense. Look for more of the same for the rest of this fall season. He can also make an appearance on offense in the backfield being a big frame ball carrier to bring down. Currently, he holds no offers but does have interest across various levels. Twitter