Second-Level Risers: Kentucky's 2028 LB On The Rise

The 2028 Kentucky class is starting to really take shape, and today, we're taking a look at a group of promising rising linebackers who could breakout big this fall.    McCann has a good, thick frame and it's clear he spends time in the weight room. The physical development shows up on the field, but so do the instincts. He plays with a good feel for the game and consistently puts himself in position to make plays. He put together a good year two putting up 72 total tackles. The production is encouraging, but I think there's still another step available for him. I'm intrigued to see what year three looks like now that he has a full season of success to build from.     Gower is a good athlete with solid range and twitch that show up all over the field. He has good vision, does a nice job getting off blocks, and consistently works his way into position to make plays. In space, he's a reliable tackler who takes good angles and rarely makes things harder than they need to be. He plays under control and seems to understand where the play is going before it fully develops. Watching him, the thing that stands out most isn't necessarily the athleticism. It's how often he's in the right place at the right time. That usually isn't an accident.     Bailes is trending in the right direction and started to put together some really good football late last season. He shows good range and change of direction, which allows him to stay effective in space and react quickly when plays break down. He's comfortable dropping back into coverage but can also come downhill and make an impact against the run. The versatility stands out because he doesn't look out of place doing either. The flashes became more consistent as the year went on, and that's usually a good sign for what's coming next.     Keyes is a physical two-way player with a good frame and the kind of strength that shows up on film. He can play the run, operate in the box, and does a nice job moving laterally to string out running plays before they get going. When he sees an opening, he's capable of playing downhill and getting into the backfield to disrupt things. He plays with confidence and brings a physical edge to every snap. He spends time in the weight room because the strength carries over to the field in the way he takes on contact and finishes plays. He has the type of build and play style that coaches usually love building a defense around.     Boone is a rangy young linebacker who got some valuable work last year and showed flashes of what he can become. He has decent instincts, moves well in space, and does a nice job finishing tackles when he's in position. He's still a bit raw, but the athleticism is there and gives him a solid foundation to build from. You can see the tools even when the consistency isn't quite there yet. For a young linebacker, that's not a bad place to be. The more reps he gets, the more comfortable and confident he should become, but getting on the field and making plays is always a huge plus.

The 2028 Kentucky class is starting to really take shape, and today, we're taking a look at a group of promising rising linebackers who could breakout big this fall.