Under Armour All-America Game Position Preview: Outside Linebackers

Welcome to our in depth coverage of the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. We will presenting previews of all the positions through out the week. This tenth preview will look in depth of all the outside linebackers in this year’s game.

#6 Matthew Thomas | Booker T. Washington HS | Miami, FL | 6’3, 205 | Undeclared
The nation’s number one ranked outside linebacker, according to ESPN, has not committed to a school entering the Under Armour All-America game, but Matthew Thomas can just about play where he pleases. At this point, Thomas has 19 FBS offers available to him. The all-american has narrowed his decision down to two ACC in-state schools, Florida State and Miami. Thomas led Washington HS (Florida) with 70 tackles and 10 sacks along the way to a 13-1 record and capturing the FHSAA Class 4A state title.

#34 Alex Anzalone | Wyomissing Area HS | Wyomissing, PA | 6’3, 231 | Notre Dame
Alex Anzalone’s performance in the obstacle course skill challenge showed people why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish wanted him to come to South Bend. The 6’3 LB will have big shoes to fill when he gets to Notre Dame, taking the place of former Under Armour All-American linebacker and the 2012 Heisman runner-up, Manti Te’o. Before Anzalone committed to Notre Dame in July 2012, he had offers from six of the top eight schools in the Associated Press Top 25. With combinations of speed, athleticism and run-stopping abilities, it’s no wonder why Alex Anzalone is one of the top rated linebackers in the country.

#9 Mike McCray II | Trotwood-Madison HS | Trotwood, OH | 6’3. 225 | Michigan
Having played at a top Ohio program such as Trotwood-Madison High and having experienced a big time experience such as The Opening in Oregon prior to the season, Mike McCray’s exposure to the big scene is not un-chartered territory. Before arriving at the Under Armour Game festivities, McCray had committed to the Michigan Wolverines over schools such as Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, UCLA and Oklahoma. Ranked 111th overall in the ESPN 150, McCray will be counting on his coverage skills to help guide him at the next level.

#10 Matt Rolin | Briar Woods HS | Ashburn, VA | 6’4. 209 | Florida
Matt Rolin is a very tall and quick outside linebacker that possesses a solid asset of manning the coverage zones and closing the deal with his tackling skills. The Florida-bound outside linebacker committed to the Gators on December 9, 2012 and has held offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Florida State and South Carolina. Rolin was originally committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks as early as May 2012 and is rated as the 76th best player in the country according to the ESPN 150 rankings for the 2013 class.

#18 Quinton Powell| Mainland HS | Daytona Beach, FL | 6’2, 200 | Undeclared
Considered as the 80th best player in the country according to the ESPN 150, Quinton Powell is looking to find a reason for some select schools to place him higher up on the priority list. Powell is presently considering Florida, USC, Clemson and Miami as the top front runners for his services Standing at six foot-two inches tall, Powell is regarded as one of the top tackling outside linebackers in the country. The Mainland Buccaneer star has also participated in two of the top pre-season showcase events in The Opening and Gridiron Kings. He will take an official visit to USC on January 18 after the Under Armour All-America Game.