LBs, DBs, and PKs in action before the Draft

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Lebanon, TN- We finish up our 2026 draft analysis among players we witnessed in action the last few years as LBs, DBs, and even PKs. Our Linebacker corps comes as one position lacking in quantity more than any other we can think of this season. Players performing in the Secondary stand out a bit more. Regretfully in both cases, camera distance, lighting and/or just bad timing limited some of the opportunities we had to capture some of the best. Substituting from a point-and-shoot (kid at Indiana game laughed at me) to a cell phone at a distance results in lower quality pics from a distance. Need a better back-up in the future.

Twice in recent years, we actually had camera malfunctions when we attended Ohio State at play. Once was due to a dropsy on my part. With that, lost out on photo shots of LBs Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles who will both go in the first round most likely. Same goes for top Safety in this year’s draft, Caleb Downs. Neither CBs Jermod McCoy nor Colton Hood of Tennessee could be seen anywhere in our file photos from this year’s Music City Bowl. We saw Toledo play in 2024. Against Ohio, another top draft selection at Safety, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, missed that game with an injury that knocked him out for the season. However, we did capture top CB Mansoor Delane of LSU featured in our overall top players’ previews.

The art of tackling on the decline

Reading many critiques of individual players scouting reports, many assessments allude to LBs and other defensive position lack of consistent tacking abilities. Surprised that there is surprise here. Noting that in recent years, college players enter college programs bigger, stronger and faster. However, the detriment here becomes focus on avoiding injuries to prevent lost playing time. Schools don’t seem to allow enough contact in practice to improve tackling.

Players today rarely hit other teammates in practices today. Sometimes devices substitute for live play that don’t truly emulate the true form of a ball carrier. The only true experience these players have derived after three or more years of college football is the true experience of an actual game. Are high school practices much different today? Players don’t get as many practice reps as they used to on the practice field. Understandably, the pros do the same thing to avoid injuries. It’s a difficult dilemma today for football at all levels. Damned if you do practice tackling and damned if you don’t. Not sure if there is any surefire answer to improve tackling practice methodology.

And just for kicks, we’ll throw in some PKs

Normally, when we take a photo of a place kicker in action, we hope we’re going to capture a block or an action shot as good as this one below regarding a blocked punt attempt by U of O against MSU below.

In WEEK ONE, Oregon deflected a punt and blocked a punt for a 31-0 first half lead. MSU PK nailed this field goal, but look at the effort by this Oregon special teamer to block it!
In WEEK ONE, Oregon deflected a punt and blocked a punt for a 31-0 first half lead. MSU PK nailed this field goal but look at the effort by this Oregon special teamer to block it! We looked for the possibility again when taking this picture.

With the pictures of PKs after LBs and DBs, you can see optimism turns out mostly futile. However, in these cases, we took a few of kickers that we think pose some interest to NFL teams. They may not get drafted, but often PKs eventually get the call from some desperate team at some point. Florida PK Trey Smack may be the best sought after. Regretfully, we missed a photo op with him. Surprisingly, unexpected, continued success turns into long-term, noteworthy careers in the NFL. Take note!

To kick things off, we start with LBs

Texas LB Anthony Hill (0) fights off block to stop Cam Skattebo in 2024 Peach Bowl. Probably going in the second round, Hill led UT in tackles that season with 107. In 10 games in 2025, he totaled 69 tackles seven TFLs, four sacks, three forced fumbles and tow Picks. His season ended with an injury after ten starts. He made 2nd team All-American.
Texas LB Anthony Hill (0) fights off block to stop Cam Skattebo in 2024 Peach Bowl. Probably going in the second round, Hill led UT in tackles that season with 107. He totaled 69 tackles, 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 Picks. This season ended with an injury after ten starts. He made 2nd team All-American.
Oregon QB Dante Moore runs to evade Bednarik Trophy Winner Joshua Rodriguez (10) in first half action of Orange Bowl. Started at Virginia at QB. Transfered to Tech as walk-on. In 2025, unanimous All-American LB, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski, and Lombardi awards.
Oregon QB Dante Moore runs to evade Bednarik Trophy Winner Joshua Rodriguez (10) in first half action of Orange Bowl. Started at Virginia at QB. Transferred to Tech as walk-on. In 2025, unanimous All-American LB, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski, and Lombardi awards.
Illini LB Gabe Jacas (7) plugs up middle here against Indiana. He led the Big Ten with 11 sacks in 2025 and recorded 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Illini LB Gabe Jacas (7) plugs up middle here against Indiana. He led the Big Ten with 11 sacks in 2025 and recorded 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Power rusher but questions persist on tackling capabilities.
Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher closes in for a stop against Texas Tech RB in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Year's Day. He trasitioned successfully from DB to LB after two years at Oregon. His coverage skilss are great. But reposts question his capability to step up inside against superior Pro O Linemen. His size and short arms may fit best for passing situations only. Second Team Big Ten LB past two seasons.
Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher (28) closes in for a stop against Texas Tech RB in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. He transitioned successfully from DB to LB at Oregon. His coverage skills are great. But reports question capability to step up against superior Pro O Linemen vs. the run. His size and short arms fit best in passing situations only. Second Team B1G past two seasons.
LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr. (7) fights to cut off Vanderbilt RB in loss to the Commodores in 2025. As a Frosh, recorded 72 tackles followed by 75 next season. A knee injury sidelined him in 2024. His 2025 numbers fell to 56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions during 12 games. Undersize at 6'1", 223 lbs. Looks like free agency at best.
LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr. (7) fights to cut off Vanderbilt RB in loss to the Commodores in 2025. As a Frosh, recorded 72 tackles followed by 75 next season. A knee injury sidelined him in 2024. His 2025 numbers fell to 56 tackles during 12 games. Undersize at 6’1″, 223 lbs. Looks like free agency at best.

Best of DBs

Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman (31) stands out as one of the first round defensive backs we saw in action entering this year's draft. After one season at Purdue and two at Oregon, he accumulated 300 tackles and eight INT. In 2025, he won All-Big Ten and All-American Honors.
Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman (31) stands out as one of the first-round defensive backs we saw in action entering this year’s draft. After one season at Purdue and two at Oregon, he accumulated 300 tackles and eight INTs. In 2025, he won All-Big Ten and All-American Honors.
LSU S AJ Halucy stops Vandy WR for a short gain. Scouting reports say he has impeccable timing and recognition to anticipate plays. All-SEC First Team in 2025. 89 tackles and three INTS. Three years prior at Houston. First Team All-Big 12 in 2024.
LSU S AJ Halucy stops Vandy WR for a short gain. Scouting reports say he has impeccable timing and recognition to anticipate plays. All-SEC First Team in 2025. 89 tackles and three INTS. Three years prior at Houston. First Team All-Big 12 in 2024.
Texas Safety Michael Taafe (16) stops Arizona State WR in 2024 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game. earned 2nd Team AP All-American Hors with 78 tackles, two sacks, two INTs and 10 break-ups. In 2025, 70 tackles and 2 INTs in 10 games before breaking thumb. Top grades among safeties against stiff competition. Great communicator for any secondary.
Texas Safety Michael Taafe (16) stops Arizona State WR in 2024 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game. Earned 2nd Team AP All-American Honors with 78 tackles, two sacks, two INTs and 10 break-ups. In 2025, 70 tackles and 2 INTs in 10 games before breaking thumb. Top grades among safeties against stiff competition. Great communicator for any secondary.
Indiana CB D'Angelo Pons (5) will best be remembered by us and many IU fans for his Pick Six return to open the scoring against Oregon in the 56-22 Peach Bowl CFP semifinal victory. Named Defensive VVP there and in Rose Bowl. 5'8" tall, but many positive essentials overcome height. Played 40 games at James Madison and IU. Six INTs, four defensive TDs and two blocked punts for TD returns.
Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds (5) best be remembered by us and all IU fans for his Pick Six return to open the scoring against Oregon in the 56-22 Peach Bowl CFP semifinal victory. Named Defensive MVP there and in Rose Bowl. 5’8″ tall, but many positive essentials overcome height. Played 40 games at James Madison and IU. Six INTs, four defensive TDs and two blocked punts for TD returns.
Miami CB Keionte Scott (0) shown in coverage against Indiana in CFP Finale. Transferred after injury at Auburn. In 2025 ,64 tackles, five sacks, 13 TFLs and tow pick sixes. Scouts designate him as nickel CB. Blitzes and covers well. Needs to improve tackling skills as we mentioned before.
Miami CB Keionte Scott (0) shown in coverage against Indiana in CFP Finale. Transferred after injury at Auburn. In 2025 ,64 tackles, five sacks, 13 TFLs and two pick sixes. Scouts designate him as nickel CB. Blitzes and covers well. Needs to improve tackling skills as mentioned before.

PKs: just for kicks

In 2024 at our first game at Wyoming, we captured BYU PK Will Ferrin practicing right in front of us. He converted 23 0f 30 FGS, four of six from 50+ yards. He can boot kick-offs through the end zone, but BYU utilized short and directional kicks as part of their strategy which should translate well in the NFL with its current rules.
In 2024 at our first game at Wyoming, we captured BYU PK Will Ferrin practicing right in front of us. He converted 23 0f 30 FGS, four of six from 50+ yards. He can boot kick-offs through the end zone, but BYU utilized short and directional kicks as part of their strategy which should translate well in the NFL with its current rules.
Oregon's Atticus Sappington delivers for three against Texas Tech in this past Orange Bowl. Booted 19 of 24 FGs and made 51 of 51 PATs. Ten of 13 from 40+ yards. Two for two from over 50 yards. 47 of 71 kick-offs went for touchbacks.
Oregon’s Atticus Sappington delivers for three against Texas Tech in this past Orange Bowl. Booted 19 of 24 FGs and made 51 of 51 PATs. Ten of 13 from 40+ yards. Two for two from over 50 yards. 47 of 71 kick-offs went for touchbacks.

Read our great history of seeing great college players who excelled in the Pros!

Click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person at least once. This tells our story! Among them, you’ll pry into collegiate lore regarding the likes of Willie Gault, Dan Marino, Randy Moss, Eli Manning, Ezekial Elliot, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and many more.

Read the reviews on the book page and get your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. You’ll see we know what we’re talking about. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Get it, enjoy it, and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe these will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did!

Edited and written by Stephen J. Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Author of “Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.”

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