Tennessee Future Stars: Class of 2027 Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kentucky topped Tennessee this year 23-12 in Fortera Stadium home of Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN. The Tennessee Future Stars defense showed some promise early with a couple of three and outs, but once TN converted a fake punt, they got momentum and confidence which turned into more points. Below I will highlight who I feel made the best of their opportunities in this talent filled Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["506678"],"_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":"Keon stole the show on defense being in on almost every tackle. He played with high energy and passion. Pre-snap, he made the calls and led by example once live bullets started flying. At MLB you are the anchor and once Keon make his quick reads, he was downhill from there seeking to destroy. That he did, leading his team in total, solos, and assisted tackles. Standing close to 5'10 and weighing 217 going into his freshman year is an equation for success. Watching him run fit and blitz under control, shows maturity and a high ceiling for him to step into his own at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["866727"],"_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":"Corey was easy to find by soaring around in a white #2 jersey imposing his will onto any Kentucky player who had the ball. He had the hit of the day by not only saving a TD pass, but running through the receiver in the end zone assuring he would not be able to maintain possession to the ground. This kid has bad intentions and if [player_tooltip player_id='506678' first='Keon' last='Cooper'] did not get to the ball first, then he would clean it up. You can tell he wears being the last line of defense with honor. Corey takes good angles and is strategic with how he uses his aggression. At the end of the game he high pointed a ball across the middle that should have been an interception but I will count it as a pass break up because the defenseless receiver dodged a kill shot if he would of hit him instead.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["866728"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='866728' first='Matthew' last='Newberry'] is a strong side defensive end with a solid motor and knows how to play half a man. This allows him to keep containment and knows when to fall back inside to make plays on the run if not threatened outside. During the game he brought good pressure and opened up lanes for support from his linebackers and safeties. Has decent length in arms with his growing 6'2 frame.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["903292"],"_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":"This kid is stout and brings unwanted pressure to offenses even when he's playing down the (middle) bull rushing his man. He made a huge stop on fourth down when backed up inside his own 10 yard line by blowing through the B gap stopping the Kentucky RB for a loss and giving the ball back to his offense. Jordan sheds blockers well with keeping good leverage and making sure his hands stay busy. he accounted for multiple assisted tackles in the run game and kept pursuing even when ball went away. Played a major factor inside all game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["903413"],"_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":"This young player will eventually fill out and become a name to know. He has good hips and a smooth controlled back pedal that screams u0022I dare you!u0022 Mr. Yancey had a textbook break up on a slant early in the game that kept Kentucky's two quarterbacks second guessing. He is definitely in the right position at cornerback and as he matures, receivers will have a very hard time running away from him out of their breaks.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ad967322681"} /-->