Names to Know:LB

(MSFL) CCSJ Sr Alexander Dellaechaie 2024 stats: 39tk 8.5tfl 2.5sacks

Heading into his final season star middle backer Alexander Dellaechaie has the chance to cement his case as one of the best inside backers to ever play sprint football. Dellaechaie is a textbook middle backer. He plays with aggression, physicality, instincts, and technique. As a coach myself if I could build my ideal middle backer he would have a lot of the traits and skills that Dellaechaie possess. Dellaechaie is one of the unquestioned leaders of the CCSJ defense.With one more crack at it expect Dellaechaie to give it his all as CCSJ chases another MSFL title.

(CSFL) Caldwell Soph Damien Tarves 2024 stats: 61tk 4.5tfl 2sacks

Tarves exploded onto the scene in his first season at Caldwell. The young backer quickly made a name for himself and showed flashes how good he can really be. This includes a staggering 22(17 solo) tackle game in the second half of the season. Tarves plays with great instincts. He is quick to get to open gaps and he brings a bad attitude when its time to hit. One of the ways you can tell Tarves is a real quality linebacker is by seeing how many more solo tackles he has compared to assisted tackles. Of his 61 tackles last season he had 44 solo tackles. He had more solo tackles than assisted tackles in all but one game last season. Heading into year 2 expect Tarves to continue to show that his is one of the best young backers in the game today.

(MSFL) CCSJ Sr Trevor Busse 2024 stats: 58tk 9tfl 1sack 5pbu

There are very few players who have earned the right to be called one of the best to ever line up at their position. Senior outside backer Trevor Busse is one of these special few. Busse has done more in 3 years than most players can accomplish with a 5th year. Busse will end his career as the 4th player in sprint football history to record 200 or more tackles and he is already top 10 all time in tackles for loss. The stud backer can do everything from his outside backer spot. He can blitz, cover, run stuff, and pass rush with the best of them. With one more season to further his legacy Busse should go out with a bang.

(CSFL) CHC Sr Lex Williams 2024 stats: 42tk 3tfl 1pbu

Williams heads into his final season as one of the most proven and battle tested linebackers in the CSFL. He has been one of the foundational players at the forefront of Chestnut Hill’s resurgence has a program. Williams may not be as physically imposing as some of his peers however, that does not stop him from be a great middle backer. Williams uses his quickness to fly to open holes and fill lanes. He is great at maintaining leverage and not allowing offensive linemen to get their hands on him as they climb to the second level. Williams is already one of the best linebackers in CHC history and will have a great legacy with a strong final year.

(MSFL) Bellarmine Sr Caleb Murray 2024 stats: 82tk 11tfl 1.5sacks 1int 1pbu

Murray is the anchor that holds the Bellarmine defense together. He is a prototype mike backer that is at his best when he is flowing downhill making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He is a nightmare for opposing offense because of how frequently he stuffs inside runs and blows up shorter passing plays across the middle. Murray plays with a relentless effort and physicality at the point of contact that has made him one of the best backers in sprint football since he first stepped foot on the field for Bellarmine. Heading into his senior year with some seasoned starters accompanying him should allow Murray to play free without the burden of having to make every play. Murray is also close to eclipsing 200 plus tackles. Expect Murray to have a big senior year.