Second-Level Stars: Kentucky's 2029 LBs

As we close in on the start of the season, we're taking a look at a group of talented young LBs who have a chance to take off this fall.    Barlow is an impressive young linebacker with the ideal frame and the kind of motor you want in the middle of a defense. He can play in the box, create pressure when turned loose, and has the strength to take on blockers without getting stuck. He's powerful, does a nice job shedding blocks, and consistently finds his way to the football. I also appreciate how level-headed he plays emotionally. He doesn't get out of position chasing plays and stays consistent from snap to snap. For a younger linebacker, he has a lot of the traits you want in the 2nd level.     Stojkovic is a big-bodied linebacker who looks comfortable playing in the middle of a defense. He strikes me as a smart player who understands schemes, takes good angles, and rarely looks out of position. He plays downhill, impacts the run, and isn't afraid to step into gaps and meet ball carriers. He's also capable of creating pressure and making plays behind the line of scrimmage when turned loose. His footwork is solid, he stays well balanced through contact, and doesn't get caught off balance very often. There's a lot to work with here, and I think his best football is still ahead of him.     Bumpus had a good freshman year and made an impact right away. He seems to be wired the right way and plays with a maturity you don't always see from younger players. He's a good athlete with good instincts and consistently puts himself in position to make plays. I like his vision and the way he breaks down as a tackler, and he's always looking to strip the football instead of just settling for the stop. He put up 70 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles as a freshman as he was getting a feel for the Varsity speed. If year one looked like this, I'd be excited to see what the next couple of seasons have in store.     Smith is a smooth athlete who moves really well and bends naturally in space. He has good instincts near the line of scrimmage and closes on plays in a hurry once he sees an opening. He also has the speed to hold up in man coverage when needed, which gives him some added versatility. I like that he doesn't overpursue or try to do too much. He trusts what he sees, commits to it, and usually ends up in the right spot. That patience and discipline stand out just as much as the athleticism.     Benford is a good young player with the kind of frame you like to see at linebacker. He plays downhill, isn't afraid to step up against the run, and does a nice job attacking gaps when he sees an opening. He also moves well laterally and doesn't look stiff working from sideline to sideline. He's still young, but the size and athletic traits give him a lot to build on. The foundation is there, and he looks like someone who could grow into a really reliable starter with more reps and development.

As we close in on the start of the season, we're taking a look at a group of talented young LBs who have a chance to take off this fall.