Elite Eight Midwest Linebackers 2022
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The top eight linebackers in the Midwest for 2022 possess good quickness to go along with their physical size. They are equally good run stoppers as well as pass defenders. They also possess good lateral mobility and display the ability…
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Continue ReadingThe top eight linebackers in the Midwest for 2022 possess good quickness to go along with their physical size. They are equally good run stoppers as well as pass defenders. They also possess good lateral mobility and display the ability to keep leverage on the ball carrier. Each one of the top eight are physical players that take pride on the way they hit and finish plays.
- Gabe Powers Gabe Powers 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Marysville | 2022 State OH 6’4” 225 OLB Marysville, Ohio
Powers received multiple offers from D1 power five universities over a year ago and made a quick decision to attend nearby Ohio State. Powers has all the physical tools to be a big-time outside linebacker for the Buckeyes. He has size, speed, range, quickness, and the physicality to excel at the next level. Powers also doubles as a running back. Defensively, he is a tremendous edge rusher who can chase plays down from behind. He uses his size and length effectively to be a dominate player.
- CJ Hicks CJ Hicks 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Archbishop Alter | 2022 State OH 6’4” 220 OLB Kettering, Ohio Archbishop Alter
Like Powers, Hicks is an outstanding athlete who plays both sides of the ball. Besides linebacker, CJ can play running back, wide receiver, and returns punts. At the linebacking position, no one times the blitz better than Hicks. Whether from the edge or up the middle, he explodes on the snap running by or through blockers. Hicks displays his versatility in man pass coverage by picking up tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. CJ will be teammates of Powers at Ohio State University upon graduation.
- Joshua Burnham Joshua Burnham 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Traverse City Central | 2022 State MI 6’3” 200 ILB Traverse City, Michigan Central
One of the most versatile football players in the Midwest, Burnham plays quarterback on offense where he is impressive as a passer and ball carrier. As an inside backer, he is an exceptionally good technician in terms of body mechanics by keeping a good base, shuffling without crossing over, and maintain good knee bend. Joshua keeps leverage on the football and attacks the ball carrier from the proper angle when closing to make the tackle while driving his legs on contact. Burnham is committed to play his college football for the Michigan Wolverines.
- Sebastian Cheeks Sebastian Cheeks 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Evanston | 2022 State IL 6’2” 210 OLB Evanston, Illinois
Cheeks has all the tools to be an excellent D1 linebacker. He is instinctive in zone pass coverage by transitioning through the hook to curl zones. He displays excellent ball skills when breaking to make the interception and has the speed to score after making the play. Cheeks is just as talented at reading blocking schemes versus the run. He has great timing and acceleration when blitzing. This complete outside linebacker is headed to play for the fighting Irish of Notre Dame after graduation.
- Jared Badie Jared Badie 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Oswego East | 2022 State IL 6’4” 202 OLB Oswego, Illinois East
Badie is a true outside linebacker that is best when playing off the hip of his defensive tackle. He reads and reacts instinctively and shows pure speed when chasing down ball carriers or breaking on the pass. Badie has a quick change of direction and is extremely hard to block in space. His length and athleticism will help him adapt to the college game quickly where he can also be a contributor on special teams. It seems to be a recruiting battle between Illinois and Purdue for Badie’s talents.
- Will McLaughlin Will McLaughlin 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Harlan | 2022 State IA 6”3” 220 ILB Harlan, Iowa
McLaughlin is a savvy middle linebacker that has the frame to grow into a defensive end or outside linebacker at the collegiate level. He keeps tempo on the ball carrier and closes aggressively with good inside-out leverage when closing on the football. Will uses his long arms to his advantage in keeping blockers off his body and in batting down passes when rushing the quarterback. His length has also benefited his team by consistently blocking field goals and extra points. McLaughlin is uncommitted at this point but is a slight lean to Iowa.
- Jacob Imming Jacob Imming 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2022 State IA 6’2” 200 ILB Sergeant Bluff, Iowa Luton
Imming loves to unload on running backs by making chest to chest tackles and driving his feet through contact. He fights through blockers to get to the football. He is especially impressive in the openfield displaying great range. Jacob is an agile and versatile athlete that plays multiple positions for his team. He plays slot receiver and wildcat quarterback where he is as of a big play maker as he is on defense. Imming has committed to Iowa State for the fall of 2022.
- [player_tooltip player_id=”39054″ first=”Domanick” last=”Moon 6’2” 225 ILB Fort Wayne, Indiana Snider
This middle backer rules the interior from tackle to tackle while showing the ability to get to the perimeter to make plays. Moon is a physical tackler that attacks the ball downhill bringing all 225 pounds with him. He stalemates blockers, keeping them off his frame with a devastating first strike with his hands. He disengages and gets to the ball to finish the play. Moon will be playing his college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.