"Fierce Hits and Fast Reads From the Heart of the Defense"

Colin Sitzman

@colin_sitzman

6'1, 200lbs, Class of 2029

Perry Meridian HS, IN

Colin plays linebacker with a relentless edge and the confidence to trust what he sees. He takes pride in stopping the run, getting to the ball from one sideline to the other, and bringing a physical finish when he arrives. His game has more to it than a hard hit, though. Colin studies the offense before the snap, reads his keys once the play begins, and has the versatility to help against both the run and the pass. That mix of fierce tackling and football IQ lets him lead the defense with his play as well as his voice.

Colin finished the regular season with 50 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and one interception. He credits his preparation more than any single game for those numbers. Each week, he studies formations, personnel, and tendencies so he can recognize what an offense may be setting up. He knows a leader on defense has to understand his own job, trust his teammates, and react when the ball is snapped. Colin wants to build on this season by learning more and doing his job well, rather than chasing a number on a stat sheet.

His biggest improvement since last season has been his physicality. Colin added 50 pounds during the offseason and began taking the weight room more seriously. He can feel the difference when he fights off a block, attacks a gap, or closes on a ball carrier in the open field. The added strength gives him more force at contact, while the work he puts into his reads helps him get there in time to use it.

The season didn't begin the way Colin and his teammates wanted. They lost their opener to a team they believed they could beat, and they took that result personally. Instead of letting it define their season, they practiced harder, studied more film, and worked through the mistakes they had made. The team won five of its next six games. For Colin, that response showed what can happen when a group faces a difficult result together and puts the work in to change what comes next.

Colin began his grind in January and kept it going through weight room sessions, practices, extra reps, and hours on the field. He set out to become stronger and more physical, then kept showing up to do the work that would help him play the position better. A coach can expect him to bring that same commitment into a game. He wants to punish ball carriers, stay active against the pass, and give everything he has on every snap.

Before the snap, Colin checks the formation, the players on the field, the running back’s alignment, and the stances of the offensive linemen. Those details can give him an early clue, but he still has to trust his keys once the play starts. His film work helps him recognize a familiar look, and his reaction helps him get to the ball before an opening grows. It's a disciplined approach that lets his physical style hit with even more purpose.

A performance in the fifth week stands out as a turning point for Colin. He felt it showed coaches how quickly he could react, tackle a runner in the open field, and make his mark against the run. That game gave him more confidence heading into the rest of the season. With the postseason ahead, Colin is hungry to bring his best football when his team needs it most and continue working toward his goal of playing college football.

I assess that Colin’s strongest trait is the way he connects his reads to his physical play. He can recognize an offensive look, stay disciplined after the snap, and attack the ball with force. His ability to shed a block and finish a tackle gives the defense a dependable answer when a runner reaches his area.

Colin has the potential to become an even more complete linebacker because his range lets him contribute beyond stopping a run between the tackles. He can move from sideline to sideline, stay involved when the offense throws, and bring a fierce finish when a play comes his way. As his strength and feel for the game continue to grow, he has the tools to make a powerful impact at the heart of a defense. Stay tuned.