Post Signing Day: Available LB’s

We are two weeks past National Signing Day, and there are still some very talented LB’s that remain unsigned. Here’s a look at 5 LB’s with open recruitment: Wyatt ZellnerWyattZellner6'0" | LBGilbert | 2021StateAZ, 6’0" 205lbs, Gilbert HS Zellner shows an excellent football IQ and is a good communicator. He also saw time at QB, and did a great job transferring that QB IQ to LB which aids in his field awareness and play recognition. He is a fundamental tackler and shows solid closing speed all around as a tackler. Strong at the POA with a good striking ability if he gets squared up. Zellner has good range at MLB as he can make plays from sideline to sideline. He is strong in zone coverage, and has an excellent understanding of zone concepts and responsibilities. Very good ball skills for a LB, and is a compact LB overall. He holds notable offers from Mayville State, Linfield University, and Concordia College (MN). Micah FerrinMicahFerrin6'5" | LBAmerican Leadership Academy (Queen Creek) | 2021StateAZ, 6’5" 230lbs, ALA-Queen Creek Ferrin displays a good initial get off as a pass rusher and utilizes his quickness and length well to get into the backfield. He is very quick off the edges, oftentimes untouched by OT’s.  He does a good job recognizing screens and not getting sucked upfield to put himself in position to make plays. He’s shown a good lateral tackling ability using his length well around the LOS. Ferrin does his best work as a pass rusher. He was lethal in 4A and a mismatch against most opponents. He’s stepped up in big time games to be a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Ferrin holds a notable offer from the University of Sioux Falls and a PWO from the University of Utah. Malachi RodriguezMalachiRodriguez5'11" | LBCoolidge | 2021StateAZ, 6’0" 205lbs, Coolidge HS Rodriguez is possibly the most underrated LB in the state. He possesses excellent play recognition and instincts and does a great job meeting ball carriers at or behind the LOS. He is strong at the POA with a big striking ability, as his film is loaded with big hits. Excellent range and can make plays from sideline to sideline. He does a great job timing his blitzes as he gets a tremendous ball get off and shoots through gaps quickly. In coverage, he has a good understanding of zone responsibilities. He initiates contact immediately to force PBU’s, and shows good ball skills at LB. He holds an offer from Oklahoma Panhandle State, but projects as a D2 talent and will be a steal for whoever lands him. Owen ThomasOwenThomas5'11" | LBSunrise Mountain | 2021StateAZ, 5’11" 200lbs, Sunrise Mountain HS Thomas is more of your run stopper type LB. On the edges, he shows a nice dip and rip technique with good bend and balance. Athletic hands to to quickly swipe OT’s hands away and always breaks down to tackle. In the box, he shows solid play recognition with instincts and does a good job meeting ball carriers at opening lanes. He sheds and disengages from blocks well and constantly puts himself in position to make a play. He takes a good pursuit track towards ball carriers and made some big play saving tackles last season. He holds a D3 offer from Whittier College. Daylin SmithDaylinSmith6'1" | LBMountain View (Tucson) | 2021StateAZ, 6’3" 230lbs, Tucson Mountain View HS Smith sizes up with a big frame and does a good job meeting ball carriers at the LOS. Good play recognition overall, and he’s shown the ability to shoot through small gaps to get into the backfield before the OL even has a chance to get any kind of leverage on him. He has good lateral range and made some big play saving tackles. On the edges, he flashed a nice swim move and has showed signs of becoming a lethal edge rusher. Given his frame and skillset, he has position versatility at LB and along the DL for the next level, and holds offers from Wisconsin-River Falls, Ripon College, and Western New Mexico,