Under the Radar 28s: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of March, the 2025 high school football offseason is in full force. With that being said, we have started a new round of rankings updates with the class of 2028 being the most recent to be released in the state of Kentucky. After already covering the top players at each position, I wanted to take some time to focus on some under the radar prospects who fell just outside the top five at their positions. With the offensive side of the ball already being taken care of, here are some under the radar prospects in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638830"],"_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-67e47401351cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638830' first='Ben' last='Schlarman'] saw some varsity action as a freshman and was impressive when his number was called. Schlarman lines up at outside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of stacking/shedding blocks quickly then using his speed to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Ben finished this past season with 24 tackles and three tackles for loss in 14 games while also recording half a sack. Schlarman should be a player to continue to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next three years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638825"],"_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-67e47401352b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638825' first='Jeremiah' last='Sparks'] is another linebacker who stood out as a freshman. Sparks lines up at inside linebacker where he has shown the ability to stop the run. He does a great job of reading his keys quickly then using his closing speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Jeremiah finished his freshman year with 56 tackles and two tackles for loss in 11 games. He also came away with one interception , and made an impact on offense, carrying the ball nine times for 78 yards and a touchdown. Sparks should definitely be a player to watch heading into his sophomore year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871295"],"_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-67e474013530a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2028 linebacker who stood out this past season is [player_tooltip player_id='871295' first='Malachi' last='Smith']. Malachi lines up at outside linebacker where he has proven to be reliable against the run. He reads the play quickly then explodes out of his stance, using his speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency to make the tackle in the open field. Smith finished this past season with 23 tackles in 10 games. He also showed the ability to blitz off the edge and put pressure on the quarterback. Malachi will be a player to keep an eye on as his role in the South Laurel defense continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871298"],"_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-67e474c52eb72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='871298' first='Isaac' last='James'] is a player who recently caught my attention at our Stock Up Showcase camp in Kentucky and also put together some solid freshman year film. James lines up at outside linebacker where he is impressive against the run. He has great lateral movement, showing the ability to change direction quickly then use his speed to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. James finished his freshman year with 23 tackles and one tackle for loss in nine games. He also showed the ability to make plays in coverage, coming away with one interception and returning it for a touchdown. Isaac will be a player to watch as he continues to develop over the next three seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197764"],"_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-67e47a407b911"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final under the radar defensive prospect to watch in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1197764' first='Cassius' last='Hocker']. Cassius played in mainly a reserve/JV role as a freshman at Woodford County but he put together some promising film. Hocker lines up at corner where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading route combinations to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown the ability to break on the ball with perfect timing to break up the pass. Cassius will be an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on over the next few years after recently transferring to Frederick Douglass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->