2023: Hard Hitting Linebackers

On or off-ball linebackers always make those big hits that evoke a loud cheer from one half of the crowd and silence the other. These linebackers can make the big hits and do much more at a high level.   [player_tooltip player_id='406888' first='Faimafilli' last='Snuka'] || LB || 6'1 || 230 || West High School || 2023 Snuka is an explosive athlete who displays phenomenal bend around the edge. His ability to go around and under defensive tackles is uncommon. Snuka is a skilled hand fighter who does a good job ripping and knocking away offensive linemen's long arms. Even when he doesn't get home, he has the awareness to throw his hands up to bat passes or disrupt quarterbacks vision. He takes excellent angles in his pursuits and is a physical tackler. It always takes quarterbacks an extra second to get up after Snuka has crushed them.   [player_tooltip player_id='447215' first='Jaxon' last='Pilgrim'] || LB || 6'2 || 205 || Westlake High School || 2023 Pilgrim is a game-changing athlete who can play on or off ball linebacker at the next level. He's an excellent blitzer, and offensive linemen have difficulty containing his speed off the snap. Once he breaks into the pocket, quarterbacks can't escape him. Pilgrim is relentless in his pursuits and never quits on a play. He's an outstanding tackler who does a great job wrapping up and finishing each takedown. As a run defender, he excels at taking on blockers and can set the edge to turn runs back in. Whenever Pilgrim plays at the next level, it's not a matter of if he makes plays but rather how quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='406905' first='Tank' last='Mitchell'] || LB || 6'2 || 225 || Corner Canyon High School || 2023 Mitchell is an elite pass rusher who can get home in a multitude of ways. He converts speed to power exceptionally well and can drive offensive linemen back into the quarterbacks laps by disorienting them on first contact. Mitchell does a good job recognizing when a blocker is overseeing and takes advantage of their imbalance with a nice push-pull move. In addition, he can rush from anywhere along the defensive front, where offensive linemen have a hard time dealing with his quickness off the snap. Mitchell is also a force against the run, making him a game-changing defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='532639' first='Julius' last='Tikoisuva'] || LB || 5'11 || 195 || West High School || 2023 Tikoisuva can play nearly any position on the field but in the front seven is where his versatility really pays off. He can rush the passer or drop into coverage at a high level. Tikoisuva has an elite get-off and uses it to beat offensive linemen out of their stances. He hits like a truck, and if quarterbacks aren't careful, he'll knock the ball right out of their hands. Tikoisuva possesses elite closing speed and does a good job breaking down to make sure he can bring plays to a halt. He does a good job holding down his zone when he dropbacks, and when quarterbacks make mistakes, he can make them pay with six points.   [player_tooltip player_id='406923' first='Bryan' last='Vogl'] || LB || 6'2 || 240 || Cedar Valley High School || 2023 Vogl is a phenomenal blitzer who wreaks havoc on offenses off the edges. He times and disguises his blitzes exceptionally well. Vogl fires off the snap going over, under, around, or through offensive linemen to blow up plays in the backfield. His lengthy wingspan helps him bat balls and punch them out of running backs and quarterbacks hands. Vogl is a rare athlete who can win with speed and strength, regardless of whether he rushes from the inside or outside. He never quits on a play and is always flying to the ball. Vogl is the type of player every coach would love to have on their team.   [player_tooltip player_id='406926' first='Jed' last='Junkins'] || LB || 6'2 || 195 || Farmington High School || 2023 This past season, Judkins was a pest for numerous offenses and their passing game. There was no stopping him in 2022, where he had 12.5 sacks. He seems to get stronger as the games get longer, and by the time the clock hits zero, he has an entirely worn-out offensive lineman. Judkins is a game-changing athlete with a deadly combination of bend and skilled hands, making him a difficult matchup for even the state's top tackles. In addition, he's quick off the snap and has a relentless motor when hunting down quarterbacks as they scramble. As a run defender, he's physical and holds his gap exceptionally well.   [player_tooltip player_id='406932' first='Garrison' last='Stewart'] || LB || 6'2 || 215 || Bingham High School || 2023 Stewart is an unselfish linebacker willing to take on blockers all 48 minutes to help his teammates shut down the run. When offensive linemen reach him, he does a good job standing them up and can also get around them quickly. Stewart's play recognition skills are outstanding, and he possesses the sideline-to-sideline quickness to sniff them out all over the field. He takes good angles when closing in on ball carriers and when blitzing. Stewart loves to hit and makes ball carriers feel his presence with every tackle.

On or off-ball linebackers always make those big hits that evoke a loud cheer from one half of the crowd and silence the other. These linebackers can make the big hits and do much more at a high level.