Kentucky Sleepers to Watch for: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last time, I formed a list of defensive lineman prospects I considered were not on a lot of college radars. For this next installment, I will be compiling a list of potential sleeper linebacker prospects in the state of Kentucky. Since the linebacker position is one of the most valuable assets on a team's defense, many college recruiters tend to cut their search down only to a select few who have already received tons of interest from their superstar talent. However, it ends up causing many high-caliber linebackers to get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490011"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysis: u003c/strongu003eKangakole continued to dominate his senior season after my previous look at him during the season. He finished off the 2022 campaign recording 145 total tackles u0026amp; 23 tackles for loss in 10 games played. Out of all the statewide linebackers, Jean Aime finished 2nd in total tackles per game sitting at roughly 15. What stands out the most about the senior's playstyle is his nonstop aggression toward pressuring the offense in any way he can. Whether that is to make a heavy hit on a ball carrier to make a crucial stop or blitz-rushing the quarterback to make them commit a bad play, Kangakole can do it all with ease. Although most of his impressive stats revolve around tackling for loss and total tackles, what I admire a lot about Kangakole is his extra effort plays like going after the ballcarrier from across the field and attempting to punch the ball out of him. Those extra effort plays solidified this top-performing spot and will help him be successful in his future. At the moment, Kangakole does not appear to have any offers however I am hopeful he will continue playing football at the next level in the coming years.rnrnAlthough I have talked about Kangakole recently, It is still shocking that he has not received any public offers/interest from ANY college schools. The senior placed 2nd in the entire state in solo tackles and 3rd in tackles for loss. There is a lot of talent I hope does not get wasted and he certainly has the talent to play at the next level.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JhkqAu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["490002"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysis: u003c/strongu003eBryce had an excellent season for Leslie County as he recorded 143 total tackles u0026amp; led the state in tackles for loss with 31 in 11 games played. Bryce is undoubtedly one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the state. Combining his quick acceleration off the line of scrimmage and his fast reflexes to get off the line exactly right when the ball is snapped is a recipe for disaster for the opposing offense. What is also noticeable about Pugh is his amazing reads of the offensive positioning. In other words, Bryce is great at finding weak spots in the offensive line to exploit and act on them to make a critical stop on defense. There are many plays of this that ended up in a lot of tackles for loss and a few sacks for the Leslie County senior. As of today, he has not held any offers, but I believe his talent should not be ignored and I hope he does find his way on a competitive football team that he will thrive on, at the next level.rnrnLike Kangakole, Bryce is another linebacker whom I ranked highly on our top performers list but has yet to receive any collegiate offers from any schools. Bryce is one of the more physically aggressive linebackers in Kentucky and it is shocking how he has not received interest from coaches u0026amp; scouts.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Steven Layne","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"East Ridge High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Although Steven is talented on both sides of the football as he is a great running back for East Ridge High School, his superior game resides at the linebacker position. The 2024 grad is excellent at chasing down ball carriers with his quick acceleration to the ball and his explosive finishing tackles. Layne is a patient-minded linebacker who scans the field before attempting a stop to see any weak spots he can exploit. In many instances, Steven can break out to blitz the quarterback when he sees an open lane to run. With his field IQ and astonishing communication with his other teammates, Steven makes an excellent candidate for recruits to look at. As of now, Steven has received zero offers from any collegiate schools and I expect that to change in 2023.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17746432/63bddda08cddd9095c4c545cu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Madden Miller","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Martin County High School","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Madden Miller has not been on too many people's radars despite his impressive junior season at Martin County High School. Miller completed 152 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles in 12 games played. The 2024 grad is great overall in all aspects of defense. As a pass rusher, he is quick enough to split the offensive line before they can throw him back and take down the quarterback. Madden is outstanding at anticipating where the ball is going to go and setting himself at the right spots to either make a stop or force a turnover. Miller is one of the more top-tier linebackers for speed u0026amp; agility on the field as he can match anyone's speed and can chase ball carriers down to make the stop. Madden is also good at exploiting weaknesses in each player as he was able to come up with multiple forced fumbles during the season with his impressive tackling techniques and uses his force to punch the ball out of players which is occasionally an NFL-level move. There is a lot to love about Madden Miller playing linebacker and it is odd that with the level of talent he has, received zero official offers from any collegiate schools. His talents on the football field should not be slept on and I believe he will get his collegiate opportunity soon.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2K0jXDu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Ramont Freeman","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Western High School (Louisville, KY)","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Ramont is another speedy linebacker who is deadly as a pass rusher and a ball hawk when on zone coverage. Although Ramont's physique is not as big as the 6'3+ u0026amp; 220lb+ top linebacker prospects, do not sleep on his strength compared to these other linebackers. When on the pass rush, Ramont rushes with explosive aggression that enables him to hit his target hard with tons of force like those other bigger players. When Ramont plays zone, he is one of the best at positioning himself to accurately read what the quarterback is going to do out of the pocket. Whether they run the ball or throw the ball to another receiver, Ramont seems to always be in the right position ready to make the easy stop. I understand that Ramont is only a sophomore and has not received any offers yet, but the fact coaches have not seemed to invite him to camps/showcases is absurd and I believe he is already at the level to be a formidable linebacker prospect compared to to others in the 2025 class. I am excited to see how much Ramont develops and slowly becomes a higher-state prospect in the coming years.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JGVbSu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c5ed10a0321"} /-->