2029 Rankings Release: DL

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2029","_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-697d3d126f993"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the 2026 high school football offseason, we are wrapping up our latest round of rankings update. To finish off the rankings update, we have a new class rankings release! Our debut Top 100 rankings for the class of 2029 in the state of Kentucky has been officially posted. With these rankings being released, I will be taking the next couple weeks to break them down by position. 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 2029 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1306575"],"_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-697d3d1272124"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1306575' first='Caleb' last='Miller'] established himself as the top defensive lineman in the state in his class with a very impressive freshman season. He lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against the run. Miller does a great job of using his strength and high motor to fight through blocks with ease and get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler, finishing this past season with 73 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. He also recorded one sack as a freshman. Caleb is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on over the next few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-697d3d1272195"} --> <!-- 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 freshman year film. Long lines up at defensive tackle/nose guard where he is very effective against the run. Ramari frequently requires a double team to get him off the ball and he does a great job of taking it on. He has shown the strength to hold his ground to clog the gaps while also showing the ability to split double teams and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Ramari is a player who I'm excited to see progress over the next few years as he gets more opportunities at the varsity level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868413"],"_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-697d3e36ade95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='868413' first='Jaxon' last='Wells'] is another defensive tackle who stood out as a freshman. He was at his best against the run this past season, showing the ability to read the play quickly then use his strength to shed blocks with ease. Once he sees where the ball is going, he has shown the speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. He does a great job of exploding through contact and finishing his tackles with a ton of physicality once he gets to the ball carrier. Jaxon finished his freshman year with 22 tackles and two tackles for loss while also recording two sacks in 13 games. Wells will be a player worth keeping an eye on as his role in the Pulaski County defense continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1650974"],"_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-697d512ecc0ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The fourth and final defensive lineman who made our initial Top 100 rankings for the class of 2029 in Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1650974' first='Hagen' last='Samuel']. Samuel lined up at defensive end as a freshman where he proved to be very reliable against the run. He is explosive out of his stance and is able to use his speed to his advantage to blow by opposing offensive linemen with ease on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Samuel does a great job of running his feet through contact to finish the tackle quickly and not allow any extra yards to be gained. Hagen is another defensive lineman who I'm excited to see develop over the next few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->