Ever since my freshmen year season, I have been working hard to get ready. I started DT on the last game. (lucky I was 3rd string and the 2nd defensive tackle got injured). Anyway do you think I am fast/strong enough to play at a elite level this year. Training camp started, so here are my stats:

Middle Line Backer
Height- 5 foot 9 inches
Weight- 155 pounds
40 yard time- 5.25
Shuttle- 4.94
Max bench- 130
Max Squat- 175
Power Clean- 85

Depends on your competition, lol :P

Most of my competition can bench, squat more then me, and are faster. Theres nothing I can do about that though.

If I don't start, that is fine with me. I just want to be big enough not to be killed. I'm pretty small compared to the others.

You need to work on speed and strength. As a LB you have to be able to keep up with those backs and ends for pass coverage and you have to be able to take on an offensive lineman if needs be to stop the run.

If I were you, I would work on a lot of explosive strength moves and plyos

have you tried other positions besides DT?

I don't think you're big enough or fast enough to play middleLB.. my suggestion is just to focus on try outs, make the team, and continue kicking you ass. Come back next year and surprise everyone.

I'm guessing you're HS, what year?

I won't have to focus on tryouts, theres no cuts at my school. I am about do play my JV year (sophmore).

I can't wait to the season ends to be honest, then I plan up bulking 50 pounds.

I started that also. I added Power Cleans and snatches. And on Saturdays I'm going to be doing alot of running and Plyometrics.

50 pounds is gonne be tough, I think you could need a lot more size for a linebacker...no offense, just being honest.

i don't think you are ready for middle linebacker this year, but maybe in the offseason, talk to your coach about wanting to make the change, and see if he has suggestions for ways to get bigger, faster, stronger. i'm sure he has plenty of suggestions, i know my coach did, he had a whole offseason program when i was still in high school. best of luck this season!

You seem like you are more of a safety, but not a corner. Not yet a linebacker.

Last season, I played on the D-Line, that was the only spot. We are so deep in safeties its crazy.

I'm probably not going to start, although I did start the last game last season because our starter was injured, so I decided to start bulking now. This will give me many advantages. If I do it all right I will weigh 170 pounds before the season starts and by January I will be finished with the bulking phase. Then for 7 monthes I can focus on my speed, power, strength, etc while maintaining.

Its hard to believe I didn't get injured last year. It seems like I can get hit by a truck and be okay.

does anyone else think that bulking should be saved for the offseason. your body is going to be stressed enough from practice and games to be worried about killing yourself in the gym. my suggestion would be to maintain for the season, then hit the weights hard when the season ends. i did that between my junior and senior season and gained 25lbs of muscle during the winter athletic season, and went from being a jv starter to varsity starter. just something to keep in mind when you are planning this all out.

Yeah, but if you're benched and just practicing, you should be alright.. I put on like 10lbs in season freshman year.

I changed my mine, Its going to be hard to bulk during the season. That can wait after season, so I can focus on it more. Can't bulk with all the practices and such. Today was my first day of training camp, I'm a little small ; but I think I will be alright.

Good luck. In general, most coaches look for an athlete willing to go the extra mile and then pull more out of themself. Pick the brain of your coach often and let him know you're willing to do what it takes.

Granted it comes down to winning games and this is where the coaches mind is at.