2028 Rankings Update 2.0: DL

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2406","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692f4d4f8437f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into the month of December, we have entered the next round of ranking updates in the state of Kentucky. The first class to be updated in this round is the class of 2028. With that being said, I will be taking the next week or so to break down these rankings by positions. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I will now turn my attention to the defensive side of the ball, starting with our top defensive linemen in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638814"],"_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-692f4d4f86191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638814' first='Kellan' last='Hall'] has continued to prove that he is worthy of being the top-ranked overall player in the state in his class this season. Hall lines up at defensive end where he is dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then using his strength to shed blocks quickly once he sees where the ball is going. Hall uses his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field before they can get going, accounting for 48 tackles and 17 tackles for loss in 10 games this season. He is also impressive as a pass rusher, recording six sacks so far this season. Hall currently holds a long list of Power 4 offers and I expect them to continue to pile up for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299967"],"_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-692f4e7eca957"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1654927' first='Caleb' last='Lovely'] jumped onto our radar with a very impressive sophomore season. He lines up at defensive end where he causes a ton of disruption against the run. Caleb explodes out of his stance and uses his strength to fight through blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler, finishing this season with a team-high 60 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has also shown impressive pass rush moves, followed by the ability to finish at the quarterback, finishing the year with 6.5 sacks. Lovely doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299937"],"_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-692f509313fa4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1299937' first='Julian' last='Smith'] caught our attention as a freshman and continued to stand out this season. Smith lines up at defensive tackle where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. He uses his explosive speed to shoot the gaps before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to block him. Once he gets through the line of scrimmage, he does a great job of finishing at the quarterback, finishing the season with eight sacks in 11 games. He also showed the ability to stop the run, accounting for 62 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Smith doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who I expect college coaches to have on their radar this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["478102"],"_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-692f59fd26291"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='478102' first='Bode' last='Darland'] has been very impressive in his first season at LCA after transferring for his sophomore year. Darland lines up at defensive end where he is very reliable as a pass rusher. He does a great job of fighting with his hands to defeat blocks and using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Bode has recorded three sacks and several quarterback hurries in 13 games this season. He has also been great against the run, recording 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns so far this year. Darland has received some college interest and I expect him to be a player worth keeping an eye on moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638820"],"_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-692f59fd26333"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five defensive linemen in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1638820' first='Logan' last='Meredith']. Meredith lines up at defensive end where he is dominant against the run. He diagnoses the play quickly then uses his strength to shed blocks quickly. Logan uses his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. He finished his sophomore year with 42 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in nine games. Meredith also recorded one sack this season. Logan should be a player for college coaches to pay close attention to over the next couple years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->