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| Woodbridge (VA) C.D. Hylton linebacker E.J. Levenberry |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 226 lbs.
Class: 2013
Position: Linebacker
School: Woodbridge (VA) C.D. Hylton
Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Virginia, and Virginia Tech . . . As a junior in 2011, had 151 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 interceptions . . . As a sophomore in 2010, had 125 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 interception returns for touchdowns . . . ESPN 4-star OLB . . . Rivals 4-star OLB, #3 OLB, #15 overall . . . Scout 4-star OLB, #7 OLB, #80 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star ILB, 91 grade, #11 ILB, #232 overall
Strengths: Large frame . . . Could easily grow into a 245-250 lb. linebacker . . . Very good blitzer . . . Times up blitzes well, quick and aggressive through the line . . . Heavy hitter . . . Good awareness in pass coverage . . . Length and athleticism help him cover a large swath of ground
Weaknesses: Not very technically sound . . . Needs to develop more consistent stance . . . Not the most instinctive linebacker . . . Needs to attack downhill quicker . . . Sometimes waits for ball carrier to come to him . . . Needs to improve shedding blocks, initial punch, and hand placement
Projection: MIKE linebacker. Levenberry has the ability to play either MIKE or SAM linebacker, but with Mike McCray in the fold for Michigan in 2013, I think McCray would be more likely to play SAM. Levenberry has a lot of physical tools, but he's a somewhat raw prospect. When it comes to technique, he seems well behind players like Joe Bolden and James Ross. He would probably benefit from a chance to redshirt, bulk up, and refine that technique. All of his physical talents suggest that he could be an all-conference player and develop into an NFL linebacker, but he needs some good coaching to get there.
Reminds me of: Obi Ezeh
I seem to remember you saying that you were much more negative on Levenberry than many others; this report seems pretty positive compared to some of your others on highly rated prospects.
ReplyDeleteI'm more negative on him than many Michigan fans, not to mention Rivals. I think the other recruiting sites have Levenberry ranked more accurately.
DeleteNice work as always and not just following the herd (as always). I agree with you that, although it would be great to see Levenberry in the winged helmet, he is not the absolute beast that some have projected. If he comes our way great - if not we are still well set at LB with the last two classes.
ReplyDeleteRight. I would still take him as a linebacker, but I think there are other guys Michigan is/was recruiting that are just as capable. I haven't looked at them as much in detail, but I like Alex Anzalone and Yannick Ngakoue, too.
DeleteI like Anzolone, too. I hope that we don't commpletely stop recruiting him. Ngakoue has a ton of upside, but I feel pretty strongly that he is heading south. I actually like both of those guys better than Levenberry, honestly.
DeleteThat comparison to Obi Ezeh seems a little suprising.
ReplyDeleteI liked Ezeh more than most Michigan fans did. He was a solid blitzer, and I think the coaching situation at Michigan (he had four linebacker coaches in five years) messed him up.
DeleteDo you see this guy as a future star? I've read some "insider" comments that UM coaches think this kid is a not just their top LB prospect this year, but a "once every four years" type of prospect. Not sure if this is true, but the fact that they are leaving a spot open for him when LB is pretty well stocked is telling. Personally, I prefer the LB's who have the instincts even though maybe lacking elite athleticism, over the opposite. Especially at MLB because it is a pretty cerebral position.
ReplyDeleteIs he a shoo-in to be a star? No. Could he be? Yes. If he works hard at it, I think he could be an all-conference player at either MIKE or SAM. He has lots of potential.
DeleteThanks for the report. I was surprised that he would remind you of Ezeh after saying he might eventually be all-conference and play in the NFL.
ReplyDeleteEzeh was on the path to all-conference before coaching changes and injuries derailed him.
DeleteGood review. Just one question about the position projection - Wouldn't MIKE be the last choice for someone to play whose strength is length/athleticism and weakness is instincts? I have the impression that MIKEs can be a little slower and shorter - just need to be in the right place and stout enough to standup to blockers.
ReplyDeleteI can see where that would be unclear. I was projecting Levenberry for Michigan, and since he would be in a class with Mike McCray, I would be more likely to slot McCray for SAM. However, I do think Levenberry could play SAM very well.
DeleteAs far as instincts go, I think Levenberry just needs to be a little more aggressive. He seems to know where the play is going, but he doesn't necessarily step up in the hole quick enough. He could make some plays a yard or two farther upfield if he makes those decisions a little quicker. Sometimes that's fixable, and sometimes it's not.
But yes - if his skills were to stay exactly how they are now, then you would probably want him at SAM instead of MIKE.
Reminds you of Obi Ezeh? Yikes.
ReplyDeletePlease God, tell me he reminds you of anyone other than Ezeh.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you say he has more upside than just about anyone and his gaps are coachable?
ReplyDeleteMagnus,
ReplyDeleteI almost always agree with your reviews of players. However, I have to disagree with you a bit on this one. First off, like you, I don't think Levenberry is an elite talent. The reason, though, is that I think he has rather average speed and athleticism. I don't think his range on the field is good at all. In fact, I'd say that's his biggest weakness. Unlike others, I feel he has a pretty limited upside. He looks like a kid that maxed out early in his HS career. I also think he is a MIKE at the collegiate level (and that is what FSU is recruiting him at). Unlike you, I think his instincts are pretty good. He just doesn't have the physical skills to get to where he knows he needs to go.
I can't believe that some of you don't think he is an elite talent! Let's not forget that this is a junior highlight film. What he has is great production and always has his nose in the play. That's what you look for in a line backer. His speed can be worked on but it is not holding him back. He can develop into a great player at Michigan.
ReplyDeleteEvery kid gets evaluated off of sophomore/junior film. That's the way the recruiting process works. Only late bloomers get evaluated from their senior film, because most prospects commit before or during their senior season.
DeleteBased on his film, do YOU think he is an elite talent? If so, I would assume you haven't watched very much film on other 2013 LBs. I too think he could end up being a very good player for Michigan but this "best LB on the board" talk is ridiculous. The kid was a very early bloomer and a known commodity from his freshman year. I think some of his high rankings reflect that reality. It's called confirmation bias. The guy is a solid 4-star prospect but I see him continuing to fall in the rankings as more kids are evaluated by the services. Just my opinion. Still, hope we get him.
DeleteBased on the film I do think he is an Elite talent for reasons I said earlier. I think he would be a great pickup for Michigan. I would like to hear how he does in the 7on7 this weekend in Pittsburgh though. If he legitimately does have speed issues in open space, it will be shown in the 7on7s. At this point, he is definitely one of the best linebackers on the board.
DeleteIt depends on your definition of elite. I know that's kind of dancing around the question, but I can't help it. If "elite" means one of the top 250 players in the country, yes. I think ESPN and 247 Sports have more accurately ranked him than the other sites, and I think being among the top 250 players in the nation is pretty elite. I don't think he's the #15 player in the country and I don't think he can step in and be a star immediately, so if that's the definition of elite, then I think not.
DeleteGood point. I would consider elite to be AT LEAST one of the top 20 HS LB's in the nation. I do not put Levenberry in that category. I'm a film junkie and probably a bit of football geek, but I could probably name at least 25 guys whose film I've seen that has impressed me more than Levenberry's. Don't get me wrong. I still want him. I just don't get the absolute hype I read on Michigan boards about him. He would be a solid 3rd LB in this class for Michigan and a solid 4th LB in FSU's class. Just don't see the speed, explosiveness, or athleticism that I'd prefer to see out of a highly ranked LB. Just my opinion.
DeleteOver at 247sports.com there is a report that E.J. will announce his choice this coming Tuesday.
ReplyDeletehttp://floridastate.247sports.com/Article/Four-star-to-announce-Tuesday-70899
UncleFred