2023 Rankings Risers: LB

With the release of the updated 2023 state rankings, here’s an in-depth analysis of several of the LB prospects that are climbing the rankings.  Pierson Watson Pierson Watson 6'3" | LB Coconino | 2023 State AZ , LB, Coconino Watson has continued to show great year over year improvement and has seen his recruiting stock on the rise because of it. With an offer from Weber State last week, he now holds six offers including Nevada, South Dakota, Northern Arizona, BYU, and Air Force. Now at 6’3” 210 lbs. he’s added good weight/strength this offseason that will transition well to the field without sacrificing any mobility or speed. An impressive athlete with good natural movement skills and fluidity allowing him to play well in space and quickly redirect to close space in pursuit. He plays downhill and is violent at the POA with the ability to finish opponents to the ground. Lot of upside and growth potential going into his senior year and would expect the offers to keep coming. https://twitter.com/PiersonWatson/status/1464318704183775234?s=20&t=rPjpAV5MQ5KeJzKNoPWmIg Christian Aguilar Christian Aguilar 6'2" | LB Mountain Ridge | 2023 State AZ , LB, Mountain Ridge Aguilar is an impressive sideline to sideline playmaker in the Mountain Ridge defense. At 6’2” 220 lbs. he’s got good positional versatility to be lining up at multiple positions and being effective against both the run and pass. He’s a quick triggering LB that flashes good instincts and anticipation to read/react and disrupt plays as they are developing. Strong at the POA, he’s able to disengage and free himself up from blockers to locate the ball carrier and pursue. He shows good short area burst/speed to chase or close space in coverage. He’s strong and reliable open field tackler that drives through contact and is tough to break once he wraps up. A great competitor that is a high effort player through the whistle. His recruiting is just getting going after picking up his first offer from Butler at the end of May. https://twitter.com/C_Aguilar2023/status/1491805245122375690?s=20&t=_qSoNhr4vcJO1ovzXFT3Kw Cooper Scott Cooper Scott 6'2" | LB Highland | 2023 State AZ , LB, Highland At 6’2” 210 lbs. Scott possesses a wide skillset that allows him to impact the game in all three phases. He’s a plus athlete that flashes good straight line speed and acceleration when redirecting. Shows good initial quickness with his ability to beat opponents off the ball and gain positional leverage early in the play. His speed and mobility make him a tough block, he’s able to weave through traffic and work around blockers while in pursuit of the ball. Plays with good leverage and pad level exploding through the hips to be strong/powerful at the POA. Has shown good ball skills and the ability to flip his hips in coverage. He was an impact player last year on the way to a 6A Championship last year and expect him to take another step up as a senior. https://twitter.com/COOPERSCOTT2023/status/1470096584050286596?s=20&t=J1VXJLQq3cJ7CwDHruhRFw