Rise: #70 to #42

Elias might be the most consistent performer that I have seen in the Class of 2028. I have been able to watch him at multiple camps this summer and he has never disappointed. The 6’1″ 200 lbs LB perfectly fits the mold of the modern LB. Athletic to be able to play on third down. Instinctual and quick to process plays as they unfold. He also has the knack for working through traffic without getting hung up on OL. Reed won’t shy away from the physical side of the position either. We labeled Elias a stock riser after the summer camp circuit and it is showing up here as he jumps nearly 30 spots in our rankings despite all the new additions.

Another wildly athletic LB who will be making a big jump this summer is Elias Reed Elias Reed 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB/RB Manitowoc Lincoln | 2028 State WI of Manitowoc Lincoln. Elias brings elite athleticism to the field that makes him a sideline to sideline force at the second level of the defense. The way he can slice through gaps or run with TEs or RBs jumps off the tape and off the field this summer. I’m very excited to watch him lean the Manitowoc Lincoln defense this fall. It will be interesting to see how he continues to fill out his frame. Currently he looks like a hybrid LB/S that a lot of defenses utilize these days. Keep a close eye on the versatile and talented 2028.

Elias is on a trajectory that is pushing him towards being one of the top LB prospects, and he will be right there battling for that spot by this time next year. The 6’1″ 200 lbs ’28 LB is so athletically gifted for the position. He ran a 4.42 40 at the Lake Show on Sunday, 4.49 shuttle, 7.09 L-Drill, jumped 36.5″ in the vertical, and 9’7″ in the broad jump. It is impressive watching this kid run, change direction, and accelerate within the tackle box and out in space. Elias brings that three down ability to the field too. He is someone who has the athleticism to play in coverage over the middle, yet he has the physicality to shed blocks and will also use his outstanding athletic tools to shoot through gaps to disrupt the backfield. This kid is on a steady rise on the Prep Redzone boards, and I’m sure he is on many others as well.

Elias is another Showcase alumni who was back for another showing and delivered a huge day. The 6’1″ 200 lbs sophomore LB proved that he is well on his way towards being a three down LB. He started the day with a fantastic combine. He ran a 4.91 laser 40, jumped out of the gym with a 10′ and 10’2″ broad jump, and ran a 7.15 L-Drill. Explosive short area athleticism and agility paired with that effective long speed allow him to make plays all over the field.

When we got to 1 on 1s vs the run and pass Elias further proved to be the leader of the pack. Against the run Elias was fantastic at getting downhill and closing space quickly. It left no time for the RBs to try and make a cut or juke against him before being tagged down. Then against the pass Eli proved he could pick up an LB out in space and run vertically with them. I also was able to watch him stay in the hip pocket of RBs on the shorter routes too where they try to win sudden cuts, but Eli’s agility and length came together to help him be in position to make PBUs. Big things ahead for the 2028 LB.

I was pumped to see Elias on the roster for the Showcase heading into the day and the athletic, two-way athlete shined at the LB position. He started the day with a 9′ broad jump during the combine, but his best came when we got to drills and 1 on 1s. Elias fits the mold of what is needed at the LB position. Someone who can be an enforcer with power and violence when tackling, but also someone who can play in space, sprint to the sideline, and corral agile and smaller athletes. Elias is able to do all that. He proved to be very light on his feet and plays with an explosive burst of acceleration that allowed him to run with, and recover while covering RBs. Reed was also disruptive at the catch point. It was a great day for the sophomore LB. He is a name to know in the Class of 2028.

Stats: 19 Tackles

We have been fans of Elias Reed Elias Reed 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB/RB Manitowoc Lincoln | 2028 State WI here at PRZ WI going back to 2024 when the LB/RB was making an impact as a freshman. As a sophomore Elias has looked better than ever at LB. The production matches the development with the sophomore making 19 tackles. In Week 9 it was his play against the inside run game. Elias was able to move cleanly through traffic and get himself into gaps and meet the RB right at the line. Reed did well to quickly bring down the ball and end plays. The athletic LB is a tough one to get an OL onto. I look forward to watching his development and career continue over these next two seasons.

Elias saw quite a bit of varsity action in his first season of high school football. He actually earned time at both RB and LB on Friday nights. Right from the start of Week 1 Elias proved to be an instinctive LB. He quickly mirrored ball carriers and met them in the hole for tackles. The freshman is a natural sliding around the trenches avoiding blocks while also coming downhill to close on the ball. At RB the freshman is a one cut runner who runs angry once he sticks that foot in the ground and gets upfield. The young playmaker also showed off the vision to find blocks or cutback alleys to utilize. I’m looking forward to seeing his role expand at the varsity level.

Projection: Highly ranked in state

A multi-sport athlete that plays at a high level in both basketball and football. A teammate of Zachary Keith Zachary Keith 6'4" | 285 lbs | DL/OL Franklin | 2028 State WI (listed above), at 6-foot-1 and 170-pounds he comes with good size for a Wide Receiver on this level. Equally agile and explosive. Plays Defensive End/Edge/Outside Linebacker on the other side of the ball and brings the requisite physicality.