SCOOPHD: Wheeler Continues to Develop

WACO, Texas - Another year and another deep run for the Dallas Skyline Raiders and one of the men leading the charge is Rivals250 linebacker Anthony Wheeler. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound linebacker mans the middle of a Skyline defense absolutely loaded with division one prospects.

The Lone Star State's No. 28 overall prospect may be part of the defense and it's strong performance in a 34-14 win over Klein Collins, but Wheeler had plenty of impact individually, particularly in the second half.

SCOOPHD: Wheeler Does a Bit of Everything

Click Here to view this video.

Most notable among that impact was a stop on third and goal where Wheeler scraped down the line to pick up Collins quarterback Nate Edmonds on what would have forced a field goal if Skyline had not already built a lead that Collins was doing all it could to lessen.

As such Collins would punch in the touchdown on the next play but Wheeler's impact was felt from beginning until he was the first Raiders defensive starter pulled late in the fourth quarter.

Wheeler is a natural linebacker against the run and showed it against an incredibly physical Collins offensive front. At times he would run around blocks rather than meeting it head on but watching him as the game wore on it seemed as though were the aberrations rather than the norm. He showed some ability to read and it made his run defense quite natural.

On the flip he was occasionally lost in space on the rare occasion when Collins went to the air. With more time in the pass-heavy college game, Wheeler's game should develop to at least an adequate level of pass defense.

NOTES:

*As mentioned, Wheeler is far from the only star on Skyline's defense thanks to help from Zach Abercrumbia and Malik Jemison. Abercrumbia was largely negated but was done so thanks to constant double-teams. Meanwhile Jemison made a lot of plays on the perimeter and has the look of a surprise in the college ranks in the near future.

*On the offensive side of the ball Texas Tech commitment Carlos Strickland had a pair of touchdowns and continues to use his great frame to create space. He isn't the most sudden player but with his size he could fill a number of roles for the Red Raiders. Joining him making real offensive impressions were athlete Kylan Johnson at quarterback and diminutive receiver Savon Rollison. Johnson was injured but fought through and made some plays in the second half. One such play was to get the ball to Rollison for the second half's opening score that really got the Raiders rolling.

*That being said, the Raiders weren't the only team with talent as an 11-2 Collins team has a pair of offensive linemen worthy of notoriety. Class of 2016 tackle/guard Cooper Williams is a player caught a bit between the two positions. Williams is a bit on the short-side to play tackle but has the frame to play on the perimeter. Meanwhile, 2017 guard Dante Bivens is a powerful line-driving blocker with some surprising athleticism.