Elijah Melendez

Physical, athletic linebacker who erases angles with his high-end play speed. Measured in at 6-foot-1.5 and around 220 pounds prior to his junior season. Looks to have good length. Registers as a plus athlete in the combine setting. Seamlessly transfers his athleticism onto the field. Lines up as an inside linebacker for one of the better talent-producing high school programs in Central Florida. Runs sideline-to-sideline. Hawks down ball carriers in an emphatic fashion. Closing speed jumps off the film. Also shows the encouraging play strength and physicality as a run defender. Takes on blocks and shows the ability to stack and shed. Flows downhill and makes plays in a phone booth. Has the athleticism to continue developing in coverage and as a space linebacker. Shows the high-end tools to develop into one of the best linebackers in the 2025 cycle.