This is the last of a seven-part series taking a look at the top players at each position among the Orlando area’s high school football teams ahead of spring practice. Today we focus on the linebackers:
It was hard to figure out who should be touted as the best linebacker in the Orlando area for the upcoming football season. SanFilippo emerged over Tavares twins Jelani and Ari Bentley simply due to his aggressive nature.
SanFilippo, who played his first three high school years at Winter Park, transferred to Bishop Moore this year and it’s even difficult to discern who is the best linebacker on his new team. Bishop Moore was already solid at linebacker with senior Blaze Allen and junior Cale Brit, and sophomore Lucas Bower when the Hornets are in a 3-4 alignment, and SanFilippo’s addition gives the Hornets a unit that could compare with any in the state.
Bishop Moore transfer LB Giacomo SanFilippo commits to Kansas State | Football Insider
His aggressive style and relentless pursuit of the football makes him stand out. He has keen vision and is always zeroed in on what’s happening in the offensive backfield. SanFilippo grew up playing hockey, but his mother, Kim SanFilippo, said he decided to focus on football when the family moved to the Orlando area from Minnesota. His brother will be playing Canadian junior league hockey this year.
“He’s really aggressive and physical and he seems to be pretty instinctive and loves to chase after the football,” said Bishop Moore coach Matt Hedrick, who has really only seen SanFilippo live in three spring practices so far. “He’s definitely an aggressive player.”
He also uses his mental ability to read offenses to work to his advantage. He’s quick on the attack and uses his speed to get to the football.
“Yeah, I think he’s pretty smart and he’s able to decipher where the ball is going,” Hedrick said. “He’s also very explosive and physical. … He’s clearly, a really good player.”
He’ll step in with Allen and Britt, and so far it seems like it’s been a seamless transition.
“I think he fits in really well and I think as time goes on, they’re going to be a really dynamic trio, for sure,” Hedrick said. “They feed off each other very well and the competition, how well they all compete, is going to be really good for all three of them.
“I think he enjoys being with a couple of guys who are knowledgeable about the game, who love it and play really hard. I think they are setting a standard that he’s able to see, like, this is how we do it. He’s easily adaptable to making adjustments and playing that way.”
Giacomo has already selected his collegiate destination, committing to Kansas State last week.
It’s hard enough to choose the top linebacker in the Orlando area with talented players like the Bentley twins involved, but it’s even more difficult to discern which linebacker is better within their own family. Jelani gets all the praise, but really, they are nearly identical … and they are really, really good. Jelani is considered more of the aggressor, while Ari is a little bigger. Both are 6-foot-1, with Jelani at 210 pounds and Ari at 215. Ari led Tavares in tackles last season with 111, while Jelani was right behind him at 92. Tavares also loves to use Ari at fullback, plowing the way for 2,000-yard rusher Tamauri Collins.
Allen is a fierce tackler and always in on the scrum. He led the Hornets with 125 tackles a year ago and he never gives up on pursuit. His motor is a bit like that of SanFilippo’s. Allen will move to the outside at times this season with SanFilippo coming in to play the middle, but both will team up inside in the 4-3 scheme.
Britt is big at 6-3, 200 pounds, and he’s long and lanky. He’s also very quick for his size and can play inside or outside. With SanFilippo in the mix, Bishop Moore will have the luxury of moving him outside at times, so this linebacker package at Bishop Moore gives the Hornets coaching staff a lot of options. Britt was second on the team in tackles as a sophomore last year with 118 stops.
Sannon is another big guy at 6-2, 225, and he often lines up as an edge rusher. His relentless pursuit of the quarterback wreaked havoc with plenty of offenses last season and he led the Orlando area in sacks with 22 and and in tackles for loss with 28. He had 42 tackles overall.
He’s a little slight in height, but the 5-11, 205-pound Coleman certainly doesn’t play small. He’s a big hitter and a ferocious tackler. He was second at Lake Mary in tackles last season with 90, and he also had 8 tackles for loss. What stands out for Coleman is his ability to defend the pass and he had 2 interceptions for the state champs last year.