2024 Rankings Newcomers: LB
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Deep dive in the new 2024 LB prospects to the PRZ Rankings. Isaiah Patterson WA #13 LB #2 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 235 POS LB CLASS 2024 View Profile Isaiah Patterson State: Washington School: Yelm Patterson is an active LB with…
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Continue ReadingDeep dive in the new 2024 LB prospects to the PRZ Rankings.
Patterson is an active LB with good instincts and anticipation. Possesses the athleticism and mobility to be a three down LB at the college level and the fast trigger to quickly read and react to run/pass. Strong 6’2” 210 lb. frame that he uses well to disengage from blockers and deliver powerful contact at the POA. Smart with his attack angles, he’s a reliable and confident one on one open field tackler that finishes to the ground. Was flying under the recruiting radar during his sophomore season and the beginning of the offseason but was able to pick up two big offers from Oregon and Washington State over the summer. High ceiling prospect that will continue to pull in major D1 offers.
At 6’3” 200 lbs. Lemley is an impressive OLB that is equally effective against the run and in coverage. Carries an athletic and well-balanced frame with length that is capable of adding weight as he develops. Shows a high football IQ and is an instinctual defensive football player that does a good job diagnosing plays and putting himself in position to be a playmaker. Plays with good pad level, leverage, and balance to be strong at the contact point as a tackler and when shedding blocks. Very good in coverage, he flashes good eye discipline, closing speed, and ball skills to be an effective underneath cover guy. Led the team in interceptions as a junior. Good potential and stock is on the rise.
Shrader plays much bigger than his 5’9” 180 lb. frame at the OLB position. He’s a smooth dual sport athlete (football/baseball) with plus natural strength and movement skills. An attacking LB that has a good nose for the football and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s patient and accurate with his key diagnosis and is efficient with his movement limiting false steps. Shows a strong understanding of his assignment and good spatial awareness of where he is on the field and where he needs to go to make a play. In three games this season he has 17 total tackles with 9 solo and 1.5 TFLs. Can be a playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Biemeck is a versatile prospect that shows good ability on both sides of the ball at OLB and RB. He plays downhill and aggressive from both positions with a high motor. Can play sideline to sideline using his speed and short area burst to break and close space on the ball. Flashes good change of direction and lateral movement to redirect and pursue the ball. Generates power from his lower half and shows strong contact balance at the POA. Good body tackler that demonstrates proper positioning/technique and does a good job breaking down and tackling in space. He’s an impact player on both sides of the ball for Redmond.
Gates is a dual sport guy (football/baseball) with savvy movement skills and athleticism. Possesses good speed to be a rangy sideline to sideline defender with plus reactionary quickness in response to his reads. He’s physical and flies up to attack ball carriers but does a good job using his speed/quickness to weave thru traffic and slip past blockers. He’s got great timing on his blitzes and stunts to gain penetration and disrupt plays as they are developing at or behind the LOS. Strong tackler that is tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier. Has continued to grow and show good year over year improvement. In four games this season, he’s racked up 30 total tackles with 20 solo and eight TFLs.
Highlights
Mycklebust has been terrorizing opposing offenses so far this season racking up 61 total tackles with nine TFLs in just four games including setting a school record 22 tackles against Redmond in week three. Not the biggest LB at 5’11” 180 lbs. but possesses good natural strength and plays with leverage to be powerful at the POA. Highly efficient with his movement, he’s quick to recognize run/pass and locate the ball carrier closing space with strong short area burst and good pursuit angles. High effort player that can chase and be a violent finisher through contact. Excellent positional flexibility that could transition well to multiple spots at the college level.