Kentucky 29s to Watch: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the month of July is coming to an end, the 2025 high school football season is almost here! With a new season beginning, a new graduating class will be entering their first year of high school football. With that in mind, I wanted to take some time to focus on some intriguing incoming freshmen who will be starting their high school careers this year. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here are some notable defensive prospects to keep an eye on in the class of 2029 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648460"],"_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-68893793071e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1648460' first='Ramari' last='Long'] is a player who caught my attention when breaking down eighth grade film. Long lines up at defensive tackle where he is dominant against the run. He explodes out of his stance and uses his strength and high motor to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Long does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle and not allow any extra yards to be gained. Ramari will be a player to keep a close eye on as he begins his high school career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1306577"],"_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-6889379307241"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1306577' first='Eli' last='Hare'] is coming into his high school career off a strong eighth grade year. Hare lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Eli does a great job of reading his keys then using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Hare has also proven to be a reliable blitzer, timing the snap count perfectly to burst through his gap before the opposing offensive line can react. Eli should be a player to continue to watch as he joins a CAL program that has produced some impressive linebacker talent lately. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662580"],"_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-6889384791791"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1662580' first='Jackson' last='Marlow'] is another incoming freshman inside linebacker who impressed last season. Marlow is very reliable against the run, reading the play quickly then flowing downhill with a sense of urgency to get to the ball carrier. He does a great job of using his strength to shed blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier and he finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality once he gets there. Marlow has also proven to be a reliable ball carrier on offense. Jackson will definitely be a player to pay close attention to as he continues to develop in a very successful Corbin program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648866"],"_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-68893909ecf63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1663960' first='Zaid' last='Charasika'] is a player who caught my attention when evaluating eighth grade film. Charasika lines up at corner where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading route combinations and reacting accordingly to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, Charasika has shown impressive ball skills, attacking the ball at its highest point to come away with the interception. Charasika is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on as he continues to grow and develop over the next four years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1650308"],"_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-68893a60ecbc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable defensive prospect to watch in the class of 2029 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1650308' first='Brady' last='Ratliff']. Brady lines up at corner where he is very impressive in zone coverage. He does a great job of reading route combinations then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play when it is thrown his way. Ratliff also has shown the physicality to knock the ball loose from the receiver with ease when they are trying to bring in the catch. He has also shown the ability to come downhill and make tackles against the run. Ratliff will be a player to continue to watch as he joins a Pikeville secondary that has produced some great talent recently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->