The Heart of the Defense: Kentucky’s 2027 LBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're heading to the 2nd level of the 2027 class today to highlight a group of talented recruits who can make an impact at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2212818"],"_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-6a0dfec4a0fe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blanton is a good athlete with a strong build and the kind of weight room development that shows up on film. He plays with good instincts, trusts what he sees, and reacts quickly downhill. I thought he was one of the more physical tacklers, consistently finishing plays and delivering force on contact. He can get into the backfield and blow up runs, helped by a quick first step and good suddenness at the line. The production matched the play style with 89 tackles and a school-record 20 TFL during a productive junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231006"],"_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-6a0dfec4a102b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tunks is a smooth athlete with good range and a strong, thick frame that allows him to impact the game in multiple ways. He shows strong hands, moves well in coverage, and can get downhill and disrupt plays in the backfield. Everything seemed to come together for him this past season, resulting in a huge breakout year with 110 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. I also got the sense that he's the type of player teammates rally around, with the presence and consistency of a leader on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2212825"],"_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-6a0dfec4a1051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Basemore is a smooth athlete with good body control, and his wrestling background shows up in the way he plays through contact and works off blocks. He understands how to use his strength and frame to his advantage, staying balanced and engaged throughout reps. I thought his speed stood out as well, especially with how he could chase plays down from behind. He put together a productive year 3 with 74 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. He strikes me as one of those players who is being talked about far less than he probably should be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326391"],"_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-6a0dfec4a1071"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompkins is a good two-way player who seems to make plays wherever he lines up. Offensively, he's a strong runner with the ball in his hands, showing the ability to break tackles and churn out tough yards after contact. He added over 200 rushing yards and 3 TDs while also contributing 118 receiving yards. Defensively, he tackles well in space, holds up decently in coverage, and does a nice job reading the quarterback's eyes before breaking on the football. He finished with 37 tackles, 2 TFL, and a 55-yard interception return. I honestly came away more intrigued by the defensive upside, especially with the instincts and playmaking ability he flashes on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["694513"],"_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-6a0dfec4a1095"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malone is an intriguing recruit with good size, range, and arm length that give him plenty to work with physically. He can play off the edge or drop back into coverage, giving him some hybrid-type potential at the next level. He can get after the quarterback, but also has the range and movement skills to handle space when asked. I thought his motor and closing speed stood out, and he plays with a level of violence that shows up on contact. He finished year 3 with 33 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 PBU. With the versatility and physical tools he brings, he feels like a player who could become a late riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->