Thank you!
Instincts! Those are what separate a MLB and OLB.
But b/c he may be bigger than some of our other LB commits some think he can just play the middle.
Again for the millionth time, if the guy has not lined up behind the defensive line then had to read OLinemen into the backfield and locate the ball, it is extremely rare that he will ever make a good MLB.
He has a much better chance on the outside where his speed and quick twitch will take over and his lack of LB instincts won’t get him caught up in all the mess in the middle trying to locate the ball while a Center or OG are putting him in the dirt.
Hopper is being recruited to play OLB or Striker here, definitely not MLB, I don’t care what 247 says. I trust my eyes when it comes to LBs (played it in HS) and since I started following recruiting in 2002, I am pretty much batting 100 when it comes to predicting guys who strictly rush the passer in HS not becoming good college LBs and never seen one succeed at MLB, closest would be Mike Smith and he is a career back up here.
Hopper is a bit different in that his Soph film is of him playing CB, which translates perfectly to our new Striker position, not MLB.