In terms of depth and physical stature, the LB position group in the PRzIL 2024 class is especially strong, and the top remaining uncommitted linebacker goes to Yorkville’s 6’2, 225 lber. Ben Alvarez Ben Alvarez 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Yorkville | 2024 State IL . A team captain and two-way starter, Alvarez has one of my all-time favorite traits in a football recruit, and that is an accomplished wrestling background. The ‘backer is the defending Illinois 3A Class 220 lb. state champ in exciting fashion to put a stamp on his 42-8 junior campaign, and he’s also a highly sought-after football prospect who currently holds offers from Harvard, Colgate, Princeton, Akron, Yale, UPenn, Army, Dartmouth, Air Force, Columbia, Lindenwood, Eastern Michigan, and Central Michigan, and with a lot of those colleges also possessing strong wrestling programs, I’d bet he’s being recruited in both sports from a couple of these potential suitors. Alvarez posted 50 tackles, 9 TFLs, a sack, a pick-six, a fumble recovery TD, and 22 carries for 123 yards and 2 TDs + four receptions for 60 yards offensively. Can slip into passing lanes in the flats and hook/curls, finds space when shooting gaps as a blitzer, can run the alley and pursue out to the edge on faster ball carriers while closing quickly, and is a solid route runner and pass catcher as a fullback with physicality and balance after the catch. Alvarez will also bring the boom when given the opportunity. Bright future in either sport no matter what he decides, but I’d be stoked to have this kid in my LB room if I was a college coach.

The well-built linebacker out of Yorkville has one of my favorite qualities you can find in a defensive prospect and sports a monster multi-sport background as a state champion and All-State wrestler. Ben Alvarez  is coming off a very recent 220 lb. state championship and can add the hardware to his growing mantle piece that includes two All-Conference and All-Area nods as a linebacker on the gridiron. The 6’2, 220 lber. is also a team captain and holds a 4.4 unweighted GPA. After a MAC offer from Central Michigan in April of 2022, things are back up and rollin’ as Eastern Michigan, Lindenwood, Columbia, Air Force, Dartmouth, and Army have all thrown their names in the mix for Alvarez’s talent. This past fall, he posted 50 tackles, 9 TFLs, a sack, a pick-six, and a defensive touchdown to go along with 22 carries for 123 yards and 2 TDs and four receptions for 60 yards as a fullback. The speed shows up on tape first, as the 220 lber. drops underneath an out-route for his INT and flies upfield in pursuit of the ball in impressive fashion for a ‘backer of his size. He’s also got some solid offensive reps showing off balance and tackle-breaking ability with the ball in his hand, and I love some of the hits he put on opponents in 2022. It’s been a heckuva junior year for Alvarez so far. Keep it going, young man!