Some of Week 4’s Top DL and LB Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As offensive systems continue to diversify and challenge opponents to defend increasing portions of the field, those defenders "in the box" must shoulder larger responsibilities for not only stopping inside runs but also pressuring/containing passers and providing inside-out support on perimeter runs/screens. Given these evolving roles, even interior linemen and linebackers find themselves defending more space and making more plays than in days past, and the following prospects are performing these duties exceptionally well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Josh Collins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Warren East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Primarily playing an outside linebacker position in the Raiders 3-4 defensive front, Collins typically aligns on the line of scrimmage where he plays from a two-point stance and maintains outside leverage versus either a tight end or tackle. Also his team's #1 tackler last season as a junior, in their 51-20 win at Calloway County he collected 8 solo tackles, 6 assists, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. In addition to an explosive first step and initial blow delivery on blockers, he also establishes consistent separation which enables him to shed blocks quickly and enlist his above average speed in pursuit. Currently his team's top tackler again this fall with 26 solos, 40 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery, his average of 13.2 tackles per game ranks him #2 in Class AAAA and #10 statewide.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["837535"],"_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":"Playing an interior defensive lineman position in the Chargers' 4-3 front, Jenkins enlists exceptional pad level, blow delivery and separation skills to demand double team blocking schemes whether aligning head-up on the offensive guard or shading to either shoulder. In his team's recent 13-0 win over Central, he was exceptionally active, finishing the game with 6 solo tackles, 4 assists, 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack and leading his defensive unit to their second consecutive shutout. A returning starter, Jenkins finished with 33 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Chargers' 15-game run to the state title last season, and with 18 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in their 4-1 start this year, he currently is on pace to surpass that production as a senior.","_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":"Cooper Longhofer","_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":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"West Jessamine","_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":"Manning one of the inside linebacker positions in the Colts' 3-4 defensive front, Longhofer exhibits very disciplined eyes, efficient footwork and intelligent pursuit angles to consistently make stops both between the tackles and outside. Typically aligning to the boundary side of the field, in his squad's 21-12 win over Lafayette, he contributed 9 solo tackles and 3 assists as he led the defensive unit to its best performance this season. The Colts' #2 returning tackler from last season, he currently leads this year's team with 37 solo tackles, 6 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery. Averaging 8.6 tackles per game, Longhofer now ranks 29th among all Class AAAAA defenders and has his 3-2 squad anticipating their first winning season since 2017.","_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":"Noah Smith","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"South Laurel","_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":"With the Cardinals now 4-1 for the first time since 2018, fans and followers are beginning to note that Smith's development on the defensive side of the ball is one of the primary reasons for the program's resurgence. In their most recent winu002du002da 22-6 victory at Estill Countyu002du002dhe not only led all defenders with 10 solo tackles, 3 assists and 4 tackles for loss, but he also accounted for two takeaways with 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery. With the physical frame and skill set to play both inside and outside linebacker in South Laurel's 3-4 defense, he enlists consistent forward lean, efficient footwork and a fundamental athletic posture to react quickly and meet ballcarriers with balanced leverage. Currently leading all Cardinal defenders with 39 solo tackles, 21 assists 12 tackles for loss and 2 sacks, his average of 12.0 tackles per game ranks #4 among all defenders in Class AAAAA.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["493889"],"_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":"An active, quick-twitch defensive lineman with long arms and a consistently high pursuit motor, Weathers' quick vertical take-off and ability to play behind his pads make him a legitimate challenge for opposing offenses. Aligning as a nose guard in the Eagles' 3-4 defensive front, he was a perpetually disruptive presence in his squad's 34-27 win over Somerset, collecting 6 solo tackles, 4 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. Despite also starting full-time offensively at left tackle, he currently leads all Eagle defenders with 14 solo tackles, 25 assists, 12 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. A primary force behind Campbellsville's first 5-0 start since 2015, he currently averages 7.8 tackles per game, and his sack total (6) ranks him first in Class A and ties him for #4 statewide.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650b24ee67c0c"} /-->