Look out for Gersh this season. He was a major piece of Dexter’s dominant win over Brighton.

I’ve gotten used to seeing plays like 0:06 over the years. Within half of a second after the snap, Nathan sees inside run, and he’s attacking. Once the OT chips his defender and tries to work his way up to Nathan, he’s already too far upfield. Similarly, Nathan reads off-tackle run at 0:23 and blows it up. I’ve seen it time and time again- Nathan is an elite run defender.

Finally, I love the sack at 0:35. Really shows off the athletic ability.

One of if not the best off-ball linebacker in Michigan.

Dude can fly. I saw reports of great athletic ability over the years. Early in his career, Nathan impressed with his pass coverage at offseason camps. Of course, one big issue with offseason camps is that it’s hard to show physicality and general run-stopping ability in pajamas.

Last year against Saline, I watched Nathan fly around the field. I remember one play in the redzone where Nathan read outside toss, and in what felt like a split second, he was making a stop near the sideline. Nathan is far more athletic than most and has far better IQ than most.

Speed.

Cheating a little bit here. Nathan is very fast on the field, but he’s also extremely fast mentally.

Scouting Nathan against Saline last year firmly solidified him as my LB1. Watch the tape against Saline and you’ll see why. Time and again, Nathan diagnosed a play quickly, and used his elite speed to make a quick tackle. Against the inside run, he reacted quick enough to cut under blockers and make tackles for short-yardage. Even as a Mike Linebacker, Nathan is able to react quickly to screen passes, sprint to the sideline, and make a tackle.

I am confident that Nathan will succeed at Toledo. I think he’s an absolute steal for the Rockets.

Spoiler alert: Nathan is still my #1 Linebacker. He’s a very, very well-rounded off-ball linebacker and seeing him play in person against a high-powered offense completely solidified his #1 ranking.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Gersh is a phenomenal high school linebacker. Does everything you could ask from your middle backer. Especially against runs outside the tackles, Nathan does a great job of quickly diagnosing the play, and firing like a missile toward the ballcarrier. Against inside runs, he can scrape, read, and fill quickly- something I have not seen with barely any other LBs in this class. Also competitive. Plays through pain. Ideal size. Has opportunity to be a great LB in the B1G 10.

The biggest flaws are being unproven in the passing game and the fact that he’s prone to mental errors. I’ve seen him read the wrong hole, and I’ve seen him run right into some blocks.

Nathan is still the best linebacker that I’ve watched all season.

He does everything at a very high level. Not only does Nathan react extremely quickly, but he also does it with excellent anticipation and elite athleticism. There was one redzone play that Saline ran (outside pitch/screen) where I watched Nathan immediately sprint toward the ball carrier and get a big TFL. Absolutely elite run stopper, and a very, very good pass defender. All with ideal size alongside elite athleticism.

Prospects- watch Nathan’s tape if you want an example of a true future D1 LB.

Nathan is still the best linebacker that I’ve watched all season.

He does everything at a very high level. Not only does Nathan react extremely quickly, but he also does it with excellent anticipation and elite athleticism. There was one redzone play that Saline ran (outside pitch/screen) where I watched Nathan immediately sprint toward the ball carrier and get a big TFL. Absolutely elite run stopper, and a very, very good pass defender. All with ideal size alongside elite athleticism.

Prospects- watch Nathan’s tape if you want an example of a true future D1 LB.