Under the Radar 2024 Linebackers in Kentucky

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After breaking down some highly impactful senior playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, it's time to continue to highlight some of the top graduating seniors in the Bluegrass State that left it all on the field this past season. Without any further ado, it's time to focus our attention on the defensive end as we take a look at some under the radar linebackers in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381911"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnAt the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='381911' first='Gray' last='Price'], a linebacker at Greenwood High School. What I like about Price is his ability to read the offense like a book and catch them by surprise with his ability to quickly apply pressure on and sack the quarterback. Price also impresses me with his strong footwork and defensive awareness off the snap, showcasing his ability to quickly adapt as well as ground playmakers in the backfield to push the opposition further back.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022https://share.qwikcut.com/654bd94fe567f04a1e7b7667/Elmo%20Stewart-Official%20senior%20season%20highlightsu0022u003eTau003c/au003eu003ca href=u0022https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/654bc2ea3cb16d1f72aadbeeu0022u003epe:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e411328"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["653504"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnI am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='653504' first='Phoenix' last='Eddington'], a linebacker at Perry County Central High School. What stands out the most about Eddington's playstyle is his explosiveness and ability to capitalize on predictable passes. I like how Eddington can quickly get in front of receivers, knock the ball out and force fumbles with his physicality and commanding stopping power. I also like Eddington's ability to be disruptive in the backfield, utilizing bursts of speed and versatility to attack the ball and shut down offensive production in the air.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Mij6Gu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e4113ad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["675970"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnClaiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='675970' first='Jaylen' last='Berry'], a linebacker at Bryan Station High School. In addition to outstanding size and speed, what impresses me the most about Berry's playstyle is his ability to read the pass and quickly adapt to pick off the quarterback. Berry also stands out after the catch, proving he can pick up speed in the backfield to escape the defense and take it all the way to the house. I also like how Berry can blast the defense off the snap, showing off his ability to quickly tackle receivers and shut down the opposition from along the edge.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MkZ7Lu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e411417"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943483"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnAnother skilled prospect is [player_tooltip player_id='943483' first='Aiden' last='Weatherholt'], a linebacker at Hancock County High School. What I like about Weatherholt is his quick reaction time and ability to attack the ball in the air, using his versatile edge to stun receivers in coverage and pick off the quarterback. Weatherholt's electric speed off the snap also made a difference last year, showing off his ability to read movement in the pocket and pick up speed to catch the running back. I also like Weatherholt's ability to cut off the run from along the edge, proving he can adapt to contain the offense.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MWpwtu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e41147c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381890"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnComing in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='381890' first='Nehemiah' last='Lucky'], a linebacker at Fern Creek High School. What stands out about Lucky is his ability to maneuver the pocket and the offensive line to bring down the quarterback. I also like how Lucky can spot the rush and quickly stop the offense from reaching the backfield. Lucky's physicality and strength on stops also made a difference, proving he can occasionally tackle for a loss of yards. Another facet of Lucky that impresses is his ability to stop the offense by both predicting and quickly reaching the running back off the snap.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MVAZ9u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e4114e1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["313642"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnAlso worth mentioning is [player_tooltip player_id='313642' first='Connor' last='Franklin'], a linebacker at Christian Academy of Louisville. What makes Franklin so impactful defensively is his ability to lock down the opposition on the ground, showing off his ability to both read the handoff and catch the rush in the pocket. Another aspect of Franklin's playstyle that stands out is his ability to haul in interceptions in the backfield, using his size and speed to his advantage in coverage to be disruptive. I also like Franklin's ability to tackle receivers shortly after the catch, showcasing his ability to protect the backfield.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LYhA0u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659482e411544"} /-->