KY Breakout Players to Watch in 2024: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into the end of June, the start of the 2024 high school football season is coming closer and closer. With that being said, I wanted to take some time to focus on some players at each position that I am expecting a breakout year from this season. These players include those stepping into bigger roles as well as those I'm simply expecting to see a rise in production from. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the defensive linemen already taken care of, here are some linebackers in the state of Kentucky that I expect to take the next step this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985134"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b4137a5e09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='985134' first='Jaylen' last='Hayes'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and is coming off a strong junior year. Hayes lines up at inside linebacker but has also shown the versatility to play on the defensive line as well. Jaylen is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and come downhill in a hurry to make the tackle before the ball carrier can get going. As a junior, Hayes led his team with 56 tackles along with two tackles for loss in 12 games. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, both in coverage and as a rusher. Hayes finished this past season with two interceptions and three sacks. Jaylen doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and is definitely a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331755"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b4137a5e75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='331755' first='Jeremiah' last='Parker'] is another 2025 linebacker who stood out to me last season. He lines up at middle linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Parker does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. Parker currently holds offers from Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State, Walsh, and Kentucky State, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber linebacker prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735605"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b4137a5eb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735605' first='Davion' last='Sturgis'] is a linebacker who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this offseason. Sturgis is very reliable against the run, using his speed and smooth lateral movement to run sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. He finished his junior season with a team-leading 65 tackles along with six tackles for loss in 10 games. Sturgis has also shown the ability to rush the passer off the edge, finishing last season with two sacks. Davion doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on as he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175788"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b4137a5f18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] is a player who has truly burst onto the scene this offseason. Busch lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Busch finished his sophomore year with 45 tackles and four tackles for loss in 13 games. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, finishing last season with three sacks. Busch also came away with one interception and caught one touchdown pass as a sophomore. Karsten currently holds offers from Kentucky, Wake Forest, Louisville, Purdue, and Bucknell, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber linebacker prospect with two years left to continue to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284257"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667b4137a5f70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The final linebacker in the state of Kentucky that I expect to have a breakout season this year is [player_tooltip player_id='1284257' first='Tacori' last='Fields']. Fields played in mainly a reserve role last season but still put together some impressive film. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Fields reads his keys quickly and explodes out of his stance to come downhill and get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has shown the ability to finish his tackles quickly and with a ton of physicality. Fields recently picked up his first offer from Marshall and I expect more to come his way as his role in the Frederick Douglass defense continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->