Kentucky’s Top 2023 Linebackers

We broke down the top junior linebackers across the state of Kentucky that you need to know entering this fall. Each prospect featured in this article was a varsity contributor as just a sophomore. Look for each of them to take an even bigger leap forward in year two at the varsity level. <hr /> <em><strong>Jaxon <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Panariello, 6’2", 215, St. Xavier</span></strong></em> A physical sam linebacker prospect with great initial burst. He shows outstanding body control in the open field and can come to balance &amp; make plays in space. Jaxon is strong at the point of attack and can fight off just about any single block thrown at him. This is a savvy pass rusher off the edge who has a second gear once he has the quarterback in his sights. He plays a disciplined brand of football and was extremely reliable in 2020, despite his age. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13349678/5f81d6baf56aeb0958b2f4ae" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Davis Fant, 5’11", 210, Bowling Green</strong></em> On tape, Fant shows a calm demeanor in zone coverage and the ability to unlock his hips &amp; sink to his landmark. He’s durable against pullers and can fight them off to make plays in the box. He shows a quick trigger and will accelerate through his gap once he reads run to make a play on a ball carrier. Fant is a high motor interior linebacker prospect that will consistently fly to the ball and take great angles to the tackle. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13187810/5fa5a2dd2aa71a09389d13d2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Josh Bowling, 6’2", 210, Simon-Kenton</strong></em> A stalwart linebacker with strong hands and adequate bend coming off the edge. Bowling wins at the point of attack and plays with superb hand placement right on the breastplate. On film, he’s constantly looking for contact and is the one who initiates collisions when taking on opposing offensive linemen. He’s a cerebral prospect on tape, who understands the game, knows how to scrape backside, and will repeatedly read his run/pass keys. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12816167/5fc568ab2aa6590b7c354682" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Aiden Jones, 6’3", 225, Covington Catholic</strong></em> A gifted athlete who could have a serious future at either tight end or linebacker. Jones has some serious pop behind his tackles and will drive ball carriers back against their will. Watch out because he can stonewall just about anyone who steps up to run between the tackles. This young man punished blockers in 2020, creating serious knock-back and even, at times, pancaking offensive linemen. His mixture of size and natural tackling ability make a him really intriguing mike linebacker at the next level. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12921342/5fd975a3dfe2a5105801d8fc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <hr /> <em><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>Other Names You Need to Know</strong></span></em> <strong>Jack Cope, 6", 210, Graves County</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145764" first="Carson" last="Wright"], 6", 200, Pikeville</strong> <strong>Peyton Ledford, 6’3", 235, Franklin County</strong> <strong>Austin Waddell, 6", 200, Beechwood</strong>