Playmakers in the Secondary: Kentucky’s 2029 DBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're weeks away from the start of the season, and today, we're taking a look at a group of talented DBs who have a chance to rise on the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202746"],"_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-6a71050c750f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shemwell is a good defensive back who does a nice job watching plays develop before reacting. He doesn't get caught guessing very often and understands that preventing the big play is his first job. When it's time to come downhill, he's more than willing to step up and play the run. I thought his confidence really grew as the season went on, and it showed in the way he played. He has good balance, clean footwork, stays square when breaking down, and is a reliable open-field tackler when he's the last line of defense. Those are traits that coaches put a lot of value on in the secondary, which is why he got the nod as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1651416"],"_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-6a723c36b617d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DeShields is a good two-way player who got varsity work on both sides of the ball last year and held up well. Offensively, he's a patient runner who lets things develop and doesn't force runs that aren't there. I like him even more on the defensive side, though. He has good reaction speed, does a nice job finding his way through traffic to get to the football, and looks comfortable moving around the field. Late in the season, he was getting teammates lined up, helping guys get set before the snap, and started taking on more of a leadership role. Those are the little things you like seeing from a young player as his confidence grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2116346"],"_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-6a71050c75191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White is a speedy defensive back who has the athleticism to move around the secondary. He's comfortable playing in the backend or sliding into the nickel, giving a defense some flexibility with how he's used. He has the range to cover sideline to sideline, then come up and hold his own in man coverage when asked. He's also not afraid of contact and does a nice job tackling in the open field. I like the traits he brings to the table. Now it's just a matter of watching how his game develops as he gets more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685833"],"_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-6a71050c7521b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howard-Bowen is a developing defensive back with quick feet and really good change of direction. He does a nice job in man coverage, stays in phase with receivers, and moves well laterally without looking stiff. He plays with confidence and isn't afraid to challenge receivers at the catch point. I thought he had a few really good camps this summer, and it looked like his game took a step forward. With the way he's been trending, he looks ready to step into a varsity role this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648917"],"_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-6a723c36b6294"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haskins is coming off a really good freshman year where he was productive and never looked out of place. He showed good closing speed, broke on the football well, and did a nice job reading quarterbacks' eyes in zone coverage. He also has the speed to run with just about anyone in man coverage, which gives him a lot of value on the backend. He earned an All-District nod as a freshman for a reason. He's a talented, steady defensive back who doesn't make many mistakes, and it feels like he's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->