What he does well:

Staples is a long, explosive, high-motor athlete who consistently shows up on tape as a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. As an edge rusher/OLB he has a sudden first step, natural bend, and violent hands that let him create instant pressure and finish with sacks (9 on the year). He plays with great length, disengages blockers cleanly, and shows sideline-to-sideline pursuit speed — he’s rarely blocked for long and runs to the football from the backside. Tackling is fundamentally sound; he wraps, drives through contact, and creates turnovers (3 forced fumbles, 1 pick-6). Versatility stands out — he drops into coverage, plays DE, and even lines up in the secondary at times. On offense he’s a mismatch nightmare at receiver/TE: elite ball skills, strong hands, body control in traffic, and the ability to win 50/50 balls and create YAC (1,137 receiving yards, 25 TDs). The tape screams “playmaker” — he impacts the game every snap whether he’s rushing the passer or hauling in touchdowns.

What would take him to the next level:

At 205 pounds he is still lean for a college edge/LB and will need to add functional strength and bulk to consistently set the edge and anchor against Power 5 offensive linemen and tight ends in the run game. Coverage technique is still developing — he can get a little grabby or stiff in transitions and needs cleaner hip fluidity plus better route recognition when asked to match up man-to-man versus backs and slot receivers. Run-fit discipline occasionally shows some over-pursuit or guessing, which is typical for a high-school athlete playing multiple positions. None of these are deal-breakers; they are all coachable “not yet” traits.

If / how you project to help a team win:

Staples projects as a versatile, three-down outside linebacker or hybrid edge defender who can immediately contribute in a multiple-front scheme. His combination of length, burst, pursuit, and playmaking ability gives him starter upside at the Power conference level and the tools to create negative plays (sacks, forced fumbles, TFLs) that swing field position and momentum. He brings special-teams value right away and gives a coordinator schematic flexibility — rush him, drop him, or even use him as a red-zone offensive weapon if needed. High-character kid with elite academics and multi-sport athleticism (basketball/volleyball background) who will develop quickly and be a culture-plus player for any program. With continued physical maturation and technique refinement, he has the ceiling to become a disruptive, difference-making defender who helps you win games by forcing turnovers and creating mismatches. High-upside prospect who checks every box for a modern college linebacker.

There were a few linebackers who could have been considered for MVP but Staples was consistent throughout the camp. I expected to see him work out as an edge rusher but he showed he can be a traditional linebacker. Staples is a very good athlete who moves well laterally and had the speed to hang with the running backs down the field during the one-on-one period.

There were a few linebackers who could have been considered for MVP but Staples was consistent throughout the camp. I expected to see him work out as an edge rusher but he showed he can be a traditional linebacker. Staples is a very good athlete who moves well laterally and had the speed to hang with the running backs down the field during the one-on-one period.

Staples had 1137 yards receiving with 22 touchdowns and had 95 tackles, 9 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception for Marquez this season. He is the top prospect in the City Section and is a physical mismatch for a lot of players in the Section.

Staples was the City Section Division 1 Offensive Player of the Year and was recently offered by BYU.

Staples had 95 tackles, 19 for a loss, 9 sacks, 53 hurries, an interception with three forced fumbles this season.

He’s the best college prospect in the City Section who could be an edge rusher or a linebacker at the college level. Staples is physical at the point of attack and has good short-area quickness. He has offers from Arizona State, Minnesota and San Diego State among others.

Staples had 10 tackles, a sack and a 90-yard touchdown reception on offense in Marquez’s 16-7 win over Venice in the Division 1 semifinals.

He is the best college prospect in the City Section and has offers from Arizona State, Arizona, Cal and Kansas among others.

Staples caught four passes for 95 yards with four touchdowns for Marquez in a blowout win over Manual Arts. He also had a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Staples caught four passes for 192 yards with four touchdowns in Marquez’s 55-12 win over La Puente. He also had 10 tackles, two sacks and seven hurries on defense.