Top Kentucky Linebackers 2022

The linebacking class of 2022 is one of the very best position groups in the state of Kentucky in terms of depth and production. Seven backers are represented in the top fifty players of the state. All seven are physical players and superb pass defenders who have the aggressive attitude that coaches look for at the position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144982" first="Davis" last="Joyner"]     6’3” 200      Lexington Frederick Douglass</strong> Joyner is a hybrid outside linebacker/ strong safety who rules the perimeter. He is impressive coming off the edge when pressuring the quarterback and can get upfield to cutoff the sweep. Joyner is a sure tackler who wraps up the ball carrier with his long arms then throws the runner to the ground. He’s just as fierce tackler on special team’s coverage units. Joyner is also an excellent curl to flat zone coverage defender. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144983" first="Caden" last="Johnson"]     6’2” 230     Lexington Frederick Douglass</strong> Joyner’s teammate, [player_tooltip player_id="144983" first="Caden" last="Johnson"], attacks the football downhill and fills inside creases with authority from his inside linebacker position. As good as he is against the inside run, he flies to the perimeter to make plays with his quick reading skills and with equal aggressiveness. Once he hones in on the ball carrier or receiver, he is like a heat seeking missile getting to the target. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144984" first="Elijah" last="Manning"]     6’1” 230      Louisville Male </strong> This technically sound inside backer makes a ton of plays by not getting out of position. He shuffles behind his defensive line keeping shoulders square and knees bent till an opening shows, then he quickly closes to the runner and delivers a punishing tackle. He uses his hands to keep blockers off his body before disengaging to get to the football. Manning is a disciplined linebacker with excellent lateral quickness. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145544" first="Tyler" last="Morris"]     6’1” 210     Lexington Christian Academy</strong> Morris is a hybrid outside linebacker/ strong safety who hits like a backer and covers like a defensive back. He is excellent in man coverage displaying the ability to run stride for stride with receivers or backs out of the backfield. Morris demonstrates his versatility as a run stopper by shedding blockers and making tackles on the perimeter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144985" first="Luke" last="Burton"]     6’1” 215     Bowling Green South Warren  </strong> Burton can play inside or outside but is most effective at the inside linebacker position where is range can be best utilized. On run reads he keeps tempo on the football if it goes to the perimeter or attacks the middle. He is an excellent pass defender, covering the hook to curl zones along with playing man coverage on running backs or tight ends. Burton also displays good timing on the blitz. <strong> </strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149099" first="David" last="Griffith"]     6’1” 220     Louisville DeSales</strong> Griffith is fast off the edge as a pass rusher and perimeter defender. He does an excellent job of keeping blockers off his body with his powerful hands and foot agility. Griffith can also play inside due to his quick reading ability and closing speed to the football. He is also a fine running back on offense where his physicality and quickness is also displayed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149100" first="Noah" last="Thomas"]     6’1” 205     Louisville Male</strong> Thomas is the outside linebacking force while [player_tooltip player_id="144984" first="Elijah" last="Manning"] holds down the inside for Male High School. Thomas is a physical defender that sheds or goes through blockers without slowing down. He is versatile enough to be flexed out over a number two or three receiver to hold down the curl to flat zone. Thomas is a quick reactor who breaks on the ball instantly whether run or pass. The linebacking class of 2022 is one of the very best position groups in the state of Kentucky in terms of depth and production. Seven backers are represented in the top fifty players of the state. All seven are physical players and superb pass defenders who have the aggressive attitude that coaches look for at the position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144982" first="Davis" last="Joyner"]     6’3” 200      Lexington Frederick Douglass</strong> Joyner is a hybrid outside linebacker/ strong safety who rules the perimeter. He is impressive coming off the edge when pressuring the quarterback and can get upfield to cutoff the sweep. Joyner is a sure tackler who wraps up the ball carrier with his long arms then throws the runner to the ground. He’s just as fierce tackler on special team’s coverage units. Joyner is also an excellent curl to flat zone coverage defender. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144983" first="Caden" last="Johnson"]     6’2” 230     Lexington Frederick Douglass</strong> Joyner’s teammate, [player_tooltip player_id="144983" first="Caden" last="Johnson"], attacks the football downhill and fills inside creases with authority from his inside linebacker position. As good as he is against the inside run, he flies to the perimeter to make plays with his quick reading skills and with equal aggressiveness. Once he hones in on the ball carrier or receiver, he is like a heat seeking missile getting to the target. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144984" first="Elijah" last="Manning"]     6’1” 230      Louisville Male </strong> This technically sound inside backer makes a ton of plays by not getting out of position. He shuffles behind his defensive line keeping shoulders square and knees bent till an opening shows, then he quickly closes to the runner and delivers a punishing tackle. He uses his hands to keep blockers off his body before disengaging to get to the football. Manning is a disciplined linebacker with excellent lateral quickness. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145544" first="Tyler" last="Morris"]     6’1” 210     Lexington Christian Academy</strong> Morris is a hybrid outside linebacker/ strong safety who hits like a backer and covers like a defensive back. He is excellent in man coverage displaying the ability to run stride for stride with receivers or backs out of the backfield. Morris demonstrates his versatility as a run stopper by shedding blockers and making tackles on the perimeter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144985" first="Luke" last="Burton"]     6’1” 215     Bowling Green South Warren  </strong> Burton can play inside or outside but is most effective at the inside linebacker position where is range can be best utilized. On run reads he keeps tempo on the football if it goes to the perimeter or attacks the middle. He is an excellent pass defender, covering the hook to curl zones along with playing man coverage on running backs or tight ends. Burton also displays good timing on the blitz. <strong> </strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149099" first="David" last="Griffith"]     6’1” 220     Louisville DeSales</strong> Griffith is fast off the edge as a pass rusher and perimeter defender. He does an excellent job of keeping blockers off his body with his powerful hands and foot agility. Griffith can also play inside due to his quick reading ability and closing speed to the football. He is also a fine running back on offense where his physicality and quickness is also displayed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149100" first="Noah" last="Thomas"]     6’1” 205     Louisville Male</strong> Thomas is the outside linebacking force while [player_tooltip player_id="144984" first="Elijah" last="Manning"] holds down the inside for Male High School. Thomas is a physical defender that sheds or goes through blockers without slowing down. He is versatile enough to be flexed out over a number two or three receiver to hold down the curl to flat zone. Thomas is a quick reactor who breaks on the ball instantly whether run or pass.