2029 Rankings Release: EDGE

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2029","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"5926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69826e29813f1"} /--> <!-- 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 have been taking the past couple weeks to break them down by position. 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 line already taken care of, here are our top edge defenders 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":["1803304"],"_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-6982772b04be7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1803304' first='Kobe' last='Reed'] established himself as the top edge defender in the state in his class with a strong freshman year. Reed caused a ton of disruption against the run in his first season. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive tackles have a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Reed does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle quickly and not allow for any extra yards to be gained. Kobe recorded 58 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 11 games as a freshman. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the year with three sacks and two interceptions. Reed will be a player worth keeping a close eye on 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":["1663813"],"_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-69827bb315475"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1663813' first='Rage' last='Henderson'] made an immediate impact for the Paducah Tilghman defense as a freshman. He was very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read the play quickly then use his speed to shoot the gaps to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Henderson proved to be a very reliable tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, exploding through contact and finishing his tackles with a ton of physicality. Rage finished his freshman season with 39 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also finished the year with 1.5 sacks. Henderson will be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685691"],"_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-69827cfe3608f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1685691' first='Jack' last='Basinger'] is a player who caught my attention when breaking down freshman year film. Basinger is a very effective pass rusher off the edge. He uses his strength and high motor to fight through blocks with ease on his way to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, he does a great job of either finishing with a sack or rushing the throw. He also has shown the ability to read the run quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Basinger has also made an impact at tight end and kicker. Jack is a player who I will be keeping a close eye on as he earns more varsity snaps moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1670663"],"_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-6982810534a7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1670663' first='Jaxon' last='French'] is another edge defender who put together some impressive freshman year film. French was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to diagnose the play quickly then use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has shown the ability to finish the tackle quickly before they can get going. He has also proven to be a reliable pass rusher off the edge, using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. French is another player who I'm excited to see how he progresses as he receives more varsity reps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648569"],"_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-6982826e489a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five edge defenders in the class of 2029 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1648569' first='Ethan' last='Miller']. Miller played in mainly a reserve/JV role as a freshman but he showed promise when on the field. Against the run, he showed the ability to read the play effectively then use his strength to stack/shed blocks quickly on his way to the ball carrier. After shedding the block, he uses his speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency to make the tackle in the open field. In varsity action as a freshman, Miller accounted for 15 tackles and six tackles for loss in 10 games. He also finished this past season with 2.5 sacks. Ethan will be a player to pay close attention to as his role in the North Oldham defense continues to grow moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->