Defensive Linemen in Kentucky to Watch in Week 10
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With another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to visit the Bluegrass State to highlight some of the most explosive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that have made their presence known this…
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Continue ReadingWith another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to visit the Bluegrass State to highlight some of the most explosive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that have made their presence known this year. Without any further ado, here’s my list of some impactful defensive linemen in Kentucky to keep an eye on in week 10 of the season.
At the top of my list of notable performers is Darius Wiley Darius Wiley 6'6" | 235 lbs | DL North Hardin | 2024 State KY , a 6-foot-6, 235-pound defensive lineman at North Hardin High School. Wiley and the Trojans recently defeated Central Hardin by a final score of 22-15. In addition to outstanding size and speed, what impresses me about Wiley is his execution and relentless physical edge, showing off his ability to stop the rush from along the edge, apply pressure on the quarterback and made crucial stops when his team needs it most. Another aspect of Wiley’s playstyle that makes him dangerous is his ability to blast the offense in the pocket and keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage in third-down scenarios.
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I am additionally impressed with Chase Couch Chase Couch 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY , a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive lineman at Lexington Christian Academy. Couch and the Eagles blasted past DuBois Academy last week in a 51-0 blowout victory. Couch impresses me due to his ability to adapt and quickly attack the ball off the snap. Couch has showcased his ability to quickly apply pressure on the quarterback and stop receivers from escaping into the backfield. Couch’s ability to exert his strength off the snap and blast the quarterback to the ground has been a gamechanger in increasing turnovers and shifting the momentum of the game.
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Claiming the number three spot on my list is Isaiah Hare Isaiah Hare 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Bullitt East | 2024 State KY , a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman at Bullitt East High School. Hare and the Chargers are coming off a commanding 40-12 rout of Southern this past week. What stands out most about Hare is his ability to overpower the offensive line and quickly exert his strength on the quarterback, showing off his ability to consistently sack the quarterback and force mistakes. Another aspect of Hare’s playstyle that impresses is his ability to find openings in the pocket and utilize his arm strength to push off the offense to finish defensive stops.
Another skilled prospect to keep an eye on is Jakob Smith, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive lineman at Corbin High School. Smith and the Redhounds remained undefeated last week, defeating Whitley County in a 49-0 blowout win. What makes Smith so explosive is his quick execution and ability to immediately apply pressure on the quarterback. On top being able to sack the gunslinger, I like how Smith can shut down the passing game, using his arms to swat the ball out of the air. Smith can additionally shut down the rush from along the edge, utilizing bursts of speed and strength to challenge the running back and disrupt offensive production on the ground.
Coming in at number five on my list is Jerod Smith Jerod Smith 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Corbin | 2024 State KY , a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive lineman at Corbin High School. Smith and the Redhounds remained perfect on the year last week, blasting Whitley County in a 49-0 victory. Smith’s field awareness and ability to consistently catch the offense on the ground catches my attention. Another aspect of Smith’s playstyle that impresses is his electric speed and ability to use his arms to muscle past the offensive line and make crucial stops when his team needs it most. Smith’s consistent strength and ability to apply pressure have also made him a reliable defensive weapon in third-down situations.