Behind the Rankings: 2024 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">The 2022 high school football season is in full swing and we have released our initial player rankings for the state of Kentucky. Now that I have covered the class of 2023, I will now turn my attention to the top incoming junior prospects in Kentucky. After covering the offensive side of the ball, I am turning my focus to the top junior defensive prospects this week. With the defensive linemen taken care of, I will now focus on the top play makers in the middle of the defense. With that being said, here are our top linebackers in the state of Kentucky in the class of 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632cdbcf05024","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='423658' first='Jack' last='Chappell'] is a rising store on the recruiting circuit who we have ranked as the 12th overall prospect in the class of 2024. Chappell is a big, physical outside linebacker that thrives off the edge. He explodes out of his stance as a pass rusher and shows the strength to run straight through blocks on his way to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, he continues to show his explosiveness, running his feet through contact to make his presence felt. Chappell is also very reliable in pass coverage as he has shown the ability to play in a hybrid safety role. In that role, he shows great route recognition skills and the ability to break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. While Jack doesn't currently hold any official offers, he is a big name to keep an eye on as he has been receiving a ton of Division I interest.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["408041"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408041' first='Jason' last='Hocker'] is a linebacker that I have become very familiar with and have very high on my radar. He is a true inside linebacker that does a great job of leading his defense. Hocker has shown the ability to make pre-snap reads and make adjustments accordingly. Against the run, he does a great job of reading his keys and getting downhill in a hurry to get to the ball. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler both between the tackles and in the open field. Hocker has also shown reliability in coverage as he is smooth in his pass drops and does a great job of looking up receivers in zone coverage. Jason currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Southeast Missouri State, and Akron, and I expect that list to expand as I believe he is a true Division I talent at linebacker.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["408043"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Joining Hocker in a very talented Bryan Station linebacker group is [player_tooltip player_id='408043' first='Dahvon' last='Frazier']. Frazier plays in a stand up outside linebacker role and uses his athleticism to win off the edge. As a pass rusher, Frazier shows the speed to run by offensive tackles but also has some impressive pass rush moves to use to get to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, he does a great job of running through contact and finishing the sack. When he is unable to complete the sack, Frazier has shown the awareness and athleticism to bat down passes on his way to the quarterback. Dahvon currently holds offers from Southeast Missouri State and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect that list to grow as he has the skill set to be a very special player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["423659"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A more under-the-radar linebacker that I am high on is [player_tooltip player_id='423659' first='Jack' last='Lonaker'].  The inside linebacker is continuing to improve off an impressive sophomore season as he is currently second in the entire state with 68 total tackles and leads the state in tackles per game with 17. Against the run, he does a great job of reading his keys and takes good angles to get to the ball. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable open field tackler and brings a ton of physicality with him. He is also reliable in pass coverage as he is very fluid in his drops and has shown the ability to break on the ball to catch interceptions in stride. Lonaker doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to watch over the next two seasons as he has been receiving college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["313820"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Rounding out our top five linebackers in the class of 2024 is [player_tooltip player_id='313820' first='DeAndre' last='Malone']. He has some versatility to his game as he has played in both an inside and outside linebacker role. This season, he has mainly lined up on the outside where he is a force as a pass rusher. Malone has shown that he can rush from a stand up position or with his hand in the dirt and is very explosive out of his stance. He plays with a very high motor and has shown the ability to fight through blocks on his way to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, Malone finishes with a ton of physicality. Against the run, Malone does a great job of reading the play and reacting quickly to get to the ball. Malone doesn't currently hold any official offers but I expect them to come soon as he has been receiving a ton of college interest and has the skill set to thrive at the college level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">Best of the Rest (Players includes in Top 125):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">6. [player_tooltip player_id='316808' first='Davon' last='Rudolph']| 6'0", 185 lbs.| Ballard High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">7. [player_tooltip player_id='422904' first='Darion' last='Neal']| 6'0", 225 lbs.| Frederick Douglass High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">8. [player_tooltip player_id='381912' first='Elijah' last='Hawkins']| 5'10", 200 lbs.| Logan County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">9. [player_tooltip player_id='381911' first='Gray' last='Price']| 6'0", 200 lbs.| Greenwood High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">10. [player_tooltip player_id='381935' first='Hayden' last='Kiser']| 6'0", 210 lbs.| Madison Central High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">11. [player_tooltip player_id='423660' first='Lucas' last='Hughes']| 5'9", 165 lbs.| Cooper High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">12. [player_tooltip player_id='381880' first='Elijah' last='Monks']| 6'2", 230 lbs.| St. Xavier High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">13. [player_tooltip player_id='381930' first='Major' last='Brown']| 6'0", 200 lbs.| Lexington Christian Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">14. [player_tooltip player_id='313660' first='Aiden' last='Dunigan']| 6'0", 200 lbs.| Marshall County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->