Elijah Melendez has a lot going for him. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Melendez is rated a four-star prospect in the 247Sports composite, the No. 245 overall prospect and the No. 26 linebacker. He is the No. 31 inside linebacker in the 247Sports rankings and the 42nd-best player in the state of Florida.
Melendez has Power Five offers from Auburn, Baylor, Alabama, Miami, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Georgia and Tennessee among others.
In eight high school games Melendez has totaled 20 tackles, 2 TFLs and 1 sack on defense. He split time of offense, collecting 100 rushing yards and one touchdown in his young career.
Strengths:
- A new-age hybrid linebacker
- Leaner but athletic, tall, and strong
- Balanced athlete and smooth
- Team captain as freshman
- Excellent in space and slot
Weaknesses:
- Offensive lineman can take him out of the play if they get to him
- Probably needs to bulk up a little more
- Needs to work on his tackle technique some
Melendez excels in space and in coverage. If he wants to be a more traditional linebacker he will need to add more core strength, but in Alex Grinch’s defense he would thrive. He could end up being an all-conference talent when it’s all said and done.
*
Follow Fighting Irish Wire for more on Notre Dame as the Irish prepare to face USC.
Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado.
Follow Ducks Wire for coverage of Oregon football leading into the big game against Washington on October 14.
Prominent Pac-12 sports journalist thinks USC is likely to fire Alex Grinch before season’s end.
USC and Lincoln Riley need to have a plan in place if Alex Grinch coaches poorly and loses to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator might actually be worse than Alex Grinch, a fascinating plot point heading into the October 14 renewal of Irish-Trojans.
Brent Venables is coaching Oklahoma far better this year than Lincoln Riley is coaching USC. It’s up to Riley to change that reality against Notre Dame and Utah.