It has been awhile since the state of Florida has had a good linebacker class. This could be the best year for the position in the past decade. Jordan Campbell (Carol City), Adam Balogun (Cardinal Newman), Izayia Williams (Leesburg) and DQ Forpka (IMG Academy). This does not even include players like Simeon Caldwell (The Bolles School), Malik Morris (Lakeland) Desmond Johnson (Miami Northwestern) and Antonio Sharpe (Palm Beach Central). Each of these prospects has either been offered by FSU or they are showing heavy interest in them. For a position that FSU needs to hit on this is a good year to need one.
1) Jordan Campbell -(Carol City HS) 6'2-210: First saw him as a freshman over at American High School. Campbell has all the physical traits. He has size, he has length and Campbell is very athletic. He can play in space. He is able to drop into coverage and cover backers.
2) DQ Forkpa-(IMG Academy) 6'2-220: Man-child. He is one of the most impressive looking linebackers we have seen this past spring. He reminds us of Ukeme Eligwe from a physical standpoint. Hopefully his career turns out to be much better than his. DQ is an impressive physical specimen. He has size and can run. He also plays with bad intentions.
3) Adam Balogun Ali (The Benjamin School) 6'3-210: Ali is another very athletic backer. He can be used as an in the box safety. He has good coverage skills. He can play the flats. You can move him around the defense. His versatility makes him a priority at linebacker. Ali can be used off the edge as a pass rusher.
4) Izaiah Williams (Leesburg) 6'1-210: Williams reminds me of Kalen Deloach. He does not have the same athletic ability as the three backers mentioned above. He does play well between the tackles. He wraps up well. You will see him play with good instincts. He is probably one of the more sound backers in this class. My biggest concern is his decision making. He has committed to multiple schools and will he look to leave a college program at the first sign of him not getting his way.
5) Antonio Sharpe (Palm Beach Central) 6'2-200: Sharpe is a good player. Similar to Jayden Parrish who came out last year. I would have him slightly behind the first four. Sharpe could eventually grow into an outside rush guy. He has some length. He seems to play with good instincts. He is effective in the run game. Sharpe is someone that can come in and play on special teams right away.
Final Thoughts: For a position that FSU produced a ton of great players at it has become a bit of enigma of late. FSU needs to improve the linebacker room. We feel that after last season they have started to do so. Land 2-3 amongst this group and once was a position of weakness will become a strength. FSU has a legit shot at Ali. Williams committed to FSU and is still taking a visit this spring to the Seminoles. Campbell is committed to Miami but is looking hard at FSU.
1) Jordan Campbell -(Carol City HS) 6'2-210: First saw him as a freshman over at American High School. Campbell has all the physical traits. He has size, he has length and Campbell is very athletic. He can play in space. He is able to drop into coverage and cover backers.
2) DQ Forkpa-(IMG Academy) 6'2-220: Man-child. He is one of the most impressive looking linebackers we have seen this past spring. He reminds us of Ukeme Eligwe from a physical standpoint. Hopefully his career turns out to be much better than his. DQ is an impressive physical specimen. He has size and can run. He also plays with bad intentions.
3) Adam Balogun Ali (The Benjamin School) 6'3-210: Ali is another very athletic backer. He can be used as an in the box safety. He has good coverage skills. He can play the flats. You can move him around the defense. His versatility makes him a priority at linebacker. Ali can be used off the edge as a pass rusher.
4) Izaiah Williams (Leesburg) 6'1-210: Williams reminds me of Kalen Deloach. He does not have the same athletic ability as the three backers mentioned above. He does play well between the tackles. He wraps up well. You will see him play with good instincts. He is probably one of the more sound backers in this class. My biggest concern is his decision making. He has committed to multiple schools and will he look to leave a college program at the first sign of him not getting his way.
5) Antonio Sharpe (Palm Beach Central) 6'2-200: Sharpe is a good player. Similar to Jayden Parrish who came out last year. I would have him slightly behind the first four. Sharpe could eventually grow into an outside rush guy. He has some length. He seems to play with good instincts. He is effective in the run game. Sharpe is someone that can come in and play on special teams right away.
Final Thoughts: For a position that FSU produced a ton of great players at it has become a bit of enigma of late. FSU needs to improve the linebacker room. We feel that after last season they have started to do so. Land 2-3 amongst this group and once was a position of weakness will become a strength. FSU has a legit shot at Ali. Williams committed to FSU and is still taking a visit this spring to the Seminoles. Campbell is committed to Miami but is looking hard at FSU.
