Stockrisers: 2025 LB prospects in Kentucky to watch for

Now that the 2022 season of high school football in the Bluegrass State has come to a conclusion and we're in the midst of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the top talent and performances from around the state from last year. Today, we will continue to evaluate some of the rising junior talent from the defensive side of the ball. After breaking down some of the most explosive defensive backs, it's time to look at some intriguing linebackers. Here's my list of the top 2025 linebackers in the state of Kentucky to watch out for this upcoming season.    [player_tooltip player_id='373781' first='Vincent' last='Carrico'], a 5-foot-11, 205-pound linebacker out of Owensboro Catholic High School, was a massive gamechanger for the Aces' defense during his sophomore season of high school football. In 13 contests, Carrico led the team in tackles on the year, picking up a total of 183, including 59 solo stops, 124 assisted takedowns, 15 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. The rising junior out of Owensboro, KY. additonally hauled in one interception for 13 yards. Carrico is a major obstacle for offenses from around the state as he contributes excellent strength and durability. His size and speed also make it difficult for the offensive line to contain him as he can hold his own against more than one lineman. Carrico can quickly produce pressure, make powerful stops and contribute to the overall defensive effort. Carrico will certainly be an interesting in-state talent to watch more closely next season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16119377/6339a3b13dec05055cf83436">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='586098' first='Brenden' last='Anthony'], a 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker out of Pikeville High School, was a gamechanger on the Panthers' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 contests, Anthony was the fourth-strongest tackler on the roster, picking up a total of 120 tackles, including 41 solo stops, 79 assisted takedowns, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. The rising junior out of Pikeville, KY. additionally picked up one fumble recovery last season. Anthony has a solid understanding of how both the offense and defense operate as he also contributes as a fullback. With great size, speed and toughness, Anthony is a challenge for the offensive line to contain as he can easily escape coverage and apply pressure to the quarterback. Anthony is also efficient at making stops as he tackles hard and isn't afraid to dive into players to keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage. Anthony is a linebacker prospect worth watching this upcoming season.     <a style="font-size: revert;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)" href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2KSiSV">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Kory' last='Combs'], a 6-foot-0, 210-pound linebacker out of Breathitt County High School, contributed major defensive firepower to the Bobcats' defense during his sophomore year of high school football last season. In 12 games, Combs became the top tackler on the team, picking up 109 total tackles, including 64 solo stops, 45 assisted takedowns, seven tackles for loss and one sack. The rising junior out of Jackson, KY. additionally recorded three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last year. In addition to solid size and speed, Combs also adds excellent game knowledge and awareness as he also contributes on the offensive end as a fullback. Combs also adds major strength, making him a difficult target for the offense to cover. Combs will definitely be an intriguing talent out of the state to keep an eye on this fall.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6599101/63842ae24ba81c0aac3d1812">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373081' first='Solomon' last='Conley'], a 5-foot-10, 185-pound linebacker out of Male High School, was one of the most significant defensive talents on the Bulldogs' roster during his sophomore season of high school football last year. Despite missing five contests, Conley finished the season as the team's third best tackler, recording 98 total tackles, including 41 solo stops, 57 assisted takedown and two tackles for loss. In addition to his size, speed and strength, what makes Conley so efficient on the defensive side of the ball is his overall reaction time and ability to fake out the offense with his legs. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. should be even more explosive on defense next season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16127046/639b421117634a0e28e51347">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373800' first='Mikey' last='Neal'], a 5-foot-11, 207-pound linebacker out of Corbin High School, was extremely impacful for the Redhounds' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 contests in the 2022 campaign, Neal was one of the most impressive defensive talents on the team, picking up 61 total tackles, including 37 solo stops and 24 assisted takedowns. Neal additionally recovered one fumble last season. Neal brings excellent defensive energy to the field and is not an easy player to contain with his size, speed and strength. Neal can quickly become a problem for the offensive line with his ability to crash through players to put pressure on the quarterback. The rising junior out of Corbin, KY. will definitely be an intriguing linebacker prospect to watch this fall.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11444067/619bb79164df9d0768094230">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='422907' first='Hunter' last='Adams'], a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker out of Lexington Christian Academy, was a huge defensive weapon for the Eagles during his sophomore season of high school football last year. The rising junior out of Lexington, KY. was the third-best tackler on the team, picking up 55 total tackles, including 33 solo stops, 22 assisted takedowns, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 14 contests. Adams additionally recovered one fumble and hauled in one interception last season. Adams is an incredibly reliable linebacker prospect, contributing excellent size, speed and toughness. Adams can easily break free of coverage, apply heavy pressure on the quarterback and make explosive stops. Without question, Adams will be an intriguing talent to keep an eye on next season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2KfpVn">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373827' first='Layne' last='Alford'], a 5-foot-11, 193-pound linebacker out of Franklin-Simpson High School, was a major contributor on the Wildcats' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 11 games, Alford recorded 36 total tackles, including 26 solo stops, 10 assisted takedowns, one tackle for loss and two sacks. The rising junior additonally forced one fumble and led the team in fumble recoveries, recording three. Alford is a solid all-around player as he contributes on the offensive end as a fullback. With great size, speed and awareness of both sides of the ball, Alford is a dangerous linebacker to underestimate. Alford can quickly make an impact on defense with his ability to muscle through the offensive line, apply strong defensive pressure and make commanding stops. The linebacker prospect out of Franklin, KY. will be an intriguing talent to keep an eye on this year.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JnVz7">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373084' first='Javeon' last='Dorsey'], a 6-foot-0, 225-pound linebacker out of Male High School, picked up valuable minutes and experience on the Bulldogs' defense as a sophomore last year. In eight contests, Dorsey collected significant action, recording 19 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, eight assisted takedowns, five tackles for loss and one sack. Dorsey additionally forced two fumbles last season. On top of his size, speed and toughness, Dorsey adds major defensive depth as he can attack the ball from close distance or muscle his way through the offense to put pressure on the quarterback. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. will definitely be worth keeping an eye on this upcoming season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K1JQh">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='673546' first='Brady' last='Cornell'], a 5-foot-9, 185-pound linebacker out of Bullitt East High School, made more than a few valuable contributions to the Chargers' defense during his sophomore year of high school football last season. In 15 games, Cornell picked up 34 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, 21 assisted takedowns and 0.5 tackles for loss. The rising junior out of Mount Washington, KY. and his teammates helped lead the Chargers to a 6A title victory over Male High School. What makes Cornell so efficient on the defensive side of the ball is his overall size, speed and field awareness. Cornell's ability to quickly execute, find openings and apply heavy pressure on the quarterback are what make him such an intriguing linebacker prospect. Without a doubt, Cornell will be even more of a threat on defense this fall.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16800549/63cecadc23518204e8b0d3b0">Tape:</a>

Now that the 2022 season of high school football in the Bluegrass State has come to a conclusion and we're in the midst of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the top talent and performances from around the state from last year. Today, we will continue to evaluate some of the rising junior talent from the defensive side of the ball. After breaking down some of the most explosive defensive backs, it's time to look at some intriguing linebackers. Here's my list of the top 2025 linebackers in the state of Kentucky to watch out for this upcoming season.