Defensive Game Balls: 5 Kentucky Week 2 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 2 is in the books, and today, we're handing out some game balls to recruits who had big weeks on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1735101"],"_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-6a971a01337fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Viands is a strong interior defensive lineman who was disruptive all night on Friday. He got off blocks quickly, won with power, and seemed to be in the backfield rep after rep. He finished the night with 17 total tackles, a handful of TFLs, and 1 sack. He played with a good motor and was a big reason the defense was able to control the line of scrimmage most of the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202764"],"_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-6a971a013383c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dunmire is a physical young linebacker who looks comfortable handling the middle of the defense. He's a strong tackler, does a good job getting off blocks, and finds his way to the ball through traffic. He was all over the field on Friday, finishing with a game-high 19 tackles. For a young linebacker handling that much responsibility in the middle, he looks like he's off to a really good start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2369989"],"_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-6a971a0133861"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bess is a big-bodied linebacker who brings a lot of versatility to the defense. He's got good range and length, and he can create pressure and get after the quarterback. He was good against the run, too, clogging lanes and getting TFLs. 18 total tackles on the night were a good sign of his ability to be consistent and use his strength and length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2370438"],"_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-6a971a0133882"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Esterly is a good athlete who made plays on both sides of the ball. He's got decent length and knows how to use it. Offensively, he had 3 catches for 50 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, he has good instincts and can come downhill quickly. He watches the QB's eyes and reacts with anticipation. He put up 4 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 PBUs, and an interception on the night. It was a complete game from the junior, and he was a big part of the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288506"],"_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-6a971a013389f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitson had a good game on Friday and seemed to be all over the field. He plays with good instincts, trusts what he sees developing, and doesn't waste much time getting to the football once he makes his read. He put up 14 tackles and was always around the ball all night. I like how comfortable he looks early in the year and how quickly he's diagnosing things. He's off and rolling in year three and looks ready to put together a productive season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->