Future Disruptors: Kentucky’s 2029 Pass Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're heading over to the defensive line today to highlight a group of young pass rushers who have a chance to pop off this fall and get on teams' radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1334044"],"_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-6a71050e0408a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bell has a lengthy, thick frame and looks like a true edge rusher. He gets off the ball with a good first step and plays with a relentless motor from whistle to whistle. He's powerful at the point of attack and can win early with his strength before offensive linemen have a chance to settle in. The reach really stands out too and helps him keep blockers off his body while creating pressure. He's got all the traits you look for in a young edge defender, and if everything keeps coming together, he has the tools to become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266704"],"_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-6a74d1960aa3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bunton is a good upcoming edge rusher with a lot of intriguing traits. He's listed at 6'2", but he plays longer than that because of his arm length and reach. He has good stride length, moves well in space, and looks like someone who could develop into a versatile hybrid defender. I like him best when trying to get after the quarterback. He shows good bend, can win with speed and finesse, and has enough power to keep offensive tackles honest. There's a lot to work with here, and the pass-rushing tools are what jump off the tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266726"],"_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-6a74d1960aa68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sturdevant has a powerful young frame with good thickness and already looks built to play up front. He has the versatility to line up head-up or on the outside, and he consistently gets first reach, which helps him dictate the rep from the start. For a younger lineman, his footwork is really solid, and he's lighter on his feet than you'd expect. He does a nice job clogging running lanes, holding his ground, and making it tough to run at him. The physical tools are obvious, and if he puts everything together, he can quickly become someone teams have to worry about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266665"],"_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-6a74d1960aa8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is a rising recruit who got some varsity work as a freshman and made the most of his opportunities. He has a good young frame with plenty of room to continue growing and adding strength. I like the twitch he shows off the line, and he already plays with strong hands and good hand placement for a younger lineman. The flashes were there in year one, and you can see the foundation starting to come together. As the frame fills out and the reps keep coming, he has a chance to become a really good player up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2221003"],"_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-6a74d1960aaa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chambers is a solid young lineman who plays with a really good motor and never seems to take a snap off. He's strong, and it's obvious he spends time in the weight room. Squatting 475 pounds at his age is impressive, and that strength should show up on Friday nights. He has good core strength, which helps him hold up at the point of attack, and he does a nice job getting underneath the pads of offensive linemen to win the leverage battle. I'm curious to see how year 2 progresses for him and how much of a step he can take.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->