Anthony Wheeler is one of the top defensive playmakers in the nation, and the Texan player is getting wide-spread interest from schools across the nation.
Anthony Wheeler scouting report: Athletic edge rusher
Will the physically impressive prospect end up at linebacker or defensive end?
Wheeler attends Dallas (Texas) Skyline High School, and is listed at 6’2 and 225 pounds. He is a multi-positional athlete, and it is not certain where he will play on the next level. Rivals and Scout list him as an inside linebacker, ESPN lists him as a defensive end and 247Sports lists him as an outside linebacker.
Wheeler is a consensus four-star recruit, receiving the rating from 247Sports, Rivals, Scout and ESPN. Rivals and Scout both consider him one of the 10 best inside linebackers in the nation. The 247Sports Composite, which aggregates the ratings of all four major recruiting services, considers Wheeler a four-star, ranking him as the ninth-best outside linebacker in the nation and the 23rd-best player in the state of Texas.
Wheeler claims offers from Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, among others.
Though Wheeler is considered a linebacker by the services, his future position in college may well be defensive end. His testing numbers at the 2013 Dallas NFTC support that projection, as his 4.88 40 time would play much better in shorter spaces. For his size, however, his 32.2-inch vertical is a good mark.
Physically, Wheeler is one of the more impressive prospects in the state, with a frame that is already developed and carries a significant amount of muscle. Based on his build, he should be able to reach 240 pounds, the target point for a weak side defensive end.
At his best when coming downhill and filling holes against the run, Wheeler has good short-area quickness. shows some instincts to diagnosing plays, and has a nice tackling radius aided by his ability to quickly redirect.
As he makes the transition to college, if he does move to defensive end, he’ll have to work on developing some pass-rushing moves, as well as holding up at the point of attack.
There’s some sideline-to-sideline range that allows Wheeler to make plays outside of the tackles, so there is evidence that he has the capability to stick at linebacker. One play shows Wheeler dropping into coverage and leaping to intercept a pass.
Again, based on the testing results and frame of Wheeler, he’s likely headed for defensive end in college, but may need a transition period as he acquires the skills necessary to play the position.
