Here is my breakdown of the Best of the Best award winners by position selected by a group of coaches and media from the event. The amount of names listed was dependent on the total amount of campers by position (more kids=more awarded). Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.
The Linebacker position group at this showcase? Again as I mentioned during the running back breakdown....linebackers also have a limited amount you can truly evaluate so I'm looking for things like size. frame and just how well they move in space. The pass defendive side of this is also a bit hard to judge when running backs take a back peddling linebacker say 50 yard downfield.....again that won't happen in live game ll. situations so I don't get too in the weeds regarding defending the deep ball.
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top RB/TE
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Quarterbacks
The Linebackers
380 Gavin Burt Marmion Academy 2025- I've been a big fan of Gavin for well over a year now. Gavin measured in at 6-foot-0, 226 pounds and looks a big stronger and leaner this winter compared to last summer. Burt has impressive quickness and plays with a ton of instincts and feel. Burt showed well in various positional sdrill work and was also solid in pass coverage.
205 Leon Howard East St. Louis 2026- Leon Howard was maybe the most college ready looking linebacker I saw here. Howard looks like he's a sophomore in college, has great physical tools and is built like a major D1 level inside linebacker already. Howard checked in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and just does a lot of things well here. High level D1 schools will need to look harder into this kid sooner rather than later.
369 Justin Buckner St Rita 2025- Very solid linebacker here who looks capable of playing either inside or outside. Buckner was really solid in coverage and was able to back peddle, flip his hips then drop back deep effectively as any linebacker I saw here. Buckner also looks like a kid who still have room to grow and add more weight and size.
277 Elmo Gilliam Jr. East St. Louis 2025- Played fast and also looks very capable tof playing very physical as well. I also likd what I saw from Gilliam last season as a versatile linebacker who can play inside or outside as well as safety if needed. Great overall instincts and motor here as well. Measured in at 5-foot-10, 196 pounds and again Elmo has versatility and impressive physical tools.
326 Cooper Zimmer Belleville Althoff 2025- Impressive kid on the hoof who checked in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and did some things really well here. Zimmer has good overall length and quickness and showed really strong read and reaction ability in positional drill work. Zimmer also showed good ball skills and was able to drop into pass coverage and ran with all opposing backs and tight ends. Overall just a lot to like here and a name to watch in the 2025 linebacker class
257 Niko Griggs Chicago Christian 2025- Impressive bigger linebacker (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) here who was no question an eyeball passer on Monday. Griggs was impressive in positional drill work and was able to move pretty well. Again just Griggs size alone with bring some college eyeballs and attention and I can see this kid getting looks as say ILB or even as a DE/DT at the college level.
151 Jake Cantal Maine South 2026- Had a good showing here and is a younger guy with some skills and also a name to watch. Was able to run with and defend well in one on ones and brought a positive attitude and just looked to enjoy himself in this setting.
250 Luke Nelson Stevenson 2025- Luke Nelson is another name who is a camp/showcase regular who always goes hard and more often than not is a top camp performer. Nelson is a bit of a tweener positionally but regardless of ILB/OLB or DE he has good overall physical tools and instincts, runs pretty well and just always competes hard. Measured in at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Nelson has the look of a player who will continue to add more good size and strength over the next year plus. I'm excited to see how Nelson's recruiting process goes this spring and summer.
179 Gavin Smith Maine South 2026- I saw a lot of younger kids from Maine South who can play and add Gavin Smith's name to that list as well. Smith also has good size (6-foot-0, 215 pounds) and looked like a kid who was not phased going against older kids. I didn't see much of Smith in one on omnes but the coaches raved about his game.
The Linebacker position group at this showcase? Again as I mentioned during the running back breakdown....linebackers also have a limited amount you can truly evaluate so I'm looking for things like size. frame and just how well they move in space. The pass defendive side of this is also a bit hard to judge when running backs take a back peddling linebacker say 50 yard downfield.....again that won't happen in live game ll. situations so I don't get too in the weeds regarding defending the deep ball.
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top RB/TE
EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Quarterbacks
The Linebackers
380 Gavin Burt Marmion Academy 2025- I've been a big fan of Gavin for well over a year now. Gavin measured in at 6-foot-0, 226 pounds and looks a big stronger and leaner this winter compared to last summer. Burt has impressive quickness and plays with a ton of instincts and feel. Burt showed well in various positional sdrill work and was also solid in pass coverage.
205 Leon Howard East St. Louis 2026- Leon Howard was maybe the most college ready looking linebacker I saw here. Howard looks like he's a sophomore in college, has great physical tools and is built like a major D1 level inside linebacker already. Howard checked in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and just does a lot of things well here. High level D1 schools will need to look harder into this kid sooner rather than later.
369 Justin Buckner St Rita 2025- Very solid linebacker here who looks capable of playing either inside or outside. Buckner was really solid in coverage and was able to back peddle, flip his hips then drop back deep effectively as any linebacker I saw here. Buckner also looks like a kid who still have room to grow and add more weight and size.
277 Elmo Gilliam Jr. East St. Louis 2025- Played fast and also looks very capable tof playing very physical as well. I also likd what I saw from Gilliam last season as a versatile linebacker who can play inside or outside as well as safety if needed. Great overall instincts and motor here as well. Measured in at 5-foot-10, 196 pounds and again Elmo has versatility and impressive physical tools.
326 Cooper Zimmer Belleville Althoff 2025- Impressive kid on the hoof who checked in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and did some things really well here. Zimmer has good overall length and quickness and showed really strong read and reaction ability in positional drill work. Zimmer also showed good ball skills and was able to drop into pass coverage and ran with all opposing backs and tight ends. Overall just a lot to like here and a name to watch in the 2025 linebacker class
257 Niko Griggs Chicago Christian 2025- Impressive bigger linebacker (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) here who was no question an eyeball passer on Monday. Griggs was impressive in positional drill work and was able to move pretty well. Again just Griggs size alone with bring some college eyeballs and attention and I can see this kid getting looks as say ILB or even as a DE/DT at the college level.
151 Jake Cantal Maine South 2026- Had a good showing here and is a younger guy with some skills and also a name to watch. Was able to run with and defend well in one on ones and brought a positive attitude and just looked to enjoy himself in this setting.
250 Luke Nelson Stevenson 2025- Luke Nelson is another name who is a camp/showcase regular who always goes hard and more often than not is a top camp performer. Nelson is a bit of a tweener positionally but regardless of ILB/OLB or DE he has good overall physical tools and instincts, runs pretty well and just always competes hard. Measured in at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Nelson has the look of a player who will continue to add more good size and strength over the next year plus. I'm excited to see how Nelson's recruiting process goes this spring and summer.
179 Gavin Smith Maine South 2026- I saw a lot of younger kids from Maine South who can play and add Gavin Smith's name to that list as well. Smith also has good size (6-foot-0, 215 pounds) and looked like a kid who was not phased going against older kids. I didn't see much of Smith in one on omnes but the coaches raved about his game.
