Can I play linebacker?

Question

I am 15 and I want to play linebacker on the JV football team next year. I am 5'9" 150 pounds. I can bench press 185, leg press 425, I don't know maxes for other stuff but I'm pretty strong. I'm not really fast, but I'm definitely not slow. I wrestle so I have plenty of endurance. I play lacrosse so I know how to hit. Do you think I have a chance?

Answer 1

Most definately. Just to put on some weight in the next few months and get up to around 165. Set you max goals for bench at like 225. Work on power cleans(215 max). Also your dead lift. Just make sure your form is good so you don't injure yourself doin A lot of weight. You should also try and shoot for outside linebacker. I found it to be a lot more fun. Just learn how to read the offense and work hard and you'll be set. Be aggressive and show the coaches you are dedicated and want to play. Be at every practice, play both sides of the ball, bust your a$$ at practice. Look up what ever you can on the web about the bigger, faster, stronger program and follow it well.

Answer 2

I played middle line backer in high school, I was 5'7 and 155 lbs. I was benching 225 10 times, maxing out on bench close to 300, and I was the meanest guy on the field. Now I coach linebackers at the University level. It really depends on which LB you want to play, middle our outside? Middle Line backer is all about vision, the OLB's need some speed in order to cover slot recievers, the MLB needs more strength and tackling ability, but he too is often called upon to cover the TE, FB or TB (or wing back, or slot back, etc...)
All I can tell you is to try out for the team, be aggressive, and make your tackles when you have the opportunity to do so.

Answer 3

dude no to make you mad or anything but your gonna have to work hard in the off-season to get stronger especially on leg press 425 ain't to good especially for your size last year i was 15 5'5" 120 pounds and i was do in more than that. be in able to hit is good but your gonna have to be a great coverage player also especial at linebacker you gonna have to stop the run and play the pass at the same time so i guess you might have a pretty good chance if you can cover and hit good Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Right now you could probably play safety depending on how fast you are but if you want to play linebacker you need to gain some weight and strength because you will be taking hits from some pretty big lineman

Answer 5

hah! when i was 15 I benched 205!

doesn't mean JACK.

Sure you can play JV football, it really has nothing to do w/ your stats, but thats the best thing coaches got so they use it.

I'm 5'11" 190 pounds and I played JV football, but there was this 140 pound kid that destroyed everyone, it's all about your mentality.

You have a good chance.

Answer 6

you! have an excellent chance! you already possess good strenth and if you continue to train, should be able to play linebacker! it actually would help if you grew another few inches, because a lot of linebackers are about 6-2 or so! keep at it, and you will make that position! with that position though, one must be very smart, also! so study playbooks!

Answer 7

You have all the right numbers (at your age) to become a LB Strength is important, but dont worry too much about speed. Its all about lateral movement and acceleration. As a LB you got to fill gaps Quick and for pass coverage you've got to have lateral and backwards movement. I say dont worry about speed bc how often do you see a LB run full speed?????? Not very often

Answer 8

sure, i play WR/SS so when i'm on Defense playing strong safety so if you say your not very fast try to get faster because some of those RBs are faster than you think and you can't always leave it up to us safeties.

Answer 9

Well.... You better get faster and put on some more weight.

Answer 10

You bet.