KY ‘28 Position Rankings Breakdowns: DL/EDGE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last month, we wrapped up our latest rankings update cycle with our updated Top 150 for the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky. With that in mind, I will be taking some time to continue breaking these rankings down by position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I will now turn my attention to the defensive side of the ball, starting with our top defensive linemen and edge defenders in the class. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DL:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2406","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fdde6f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638814"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde32b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638814' first='Kellan' last='Hall'] is one of the best players in the entire country in the 2028 class. He is a versatile defensive lineman who can line up at both end and tackle. Hall is a very difficult player to block as a pass rusher as he has the strength to bull rush straight through opposing offensive lineman and the speed to run by them. He is also disruptive against the run, showing the ability to run sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier to make tackles. Hall hasn't played a full four quarters in most games this season due to CAL dominating their opponents but he has been productive when on the field, recording 15 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks so far. Kellan holds a long list of Power 4 offers and I expect that list to continue to grow moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2157702"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde380"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2157702' first='Preston' last='Bates'] jumped onto my radar this offseason and has continued to impress during the season. Bates lines up at defensive tackle where he has proven to be very reliable against the run. He uses his strength to stack blocks then shed them with ease once he sees where the ball is going. Bates gets to the ball carrier in a hurry and is a good open field tackler, recording 16 tackles and three tackles for loss so far this season. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, recording one sack this year. Bates currently holds offers from Miami (OH), West Virginia State, Glenville State, and Kentucky State, and I expect more to come his way over the next couple years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299967"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde3cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1654927' first='Caleb' last='Lovely'] has picked up right where he left off following a strong sophomore season. He has impressive versatility, showing the ability to thrive from both defensive end and tackle. Lovely is very effective against the run, showing the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact to finish the tackle quickly, recording 35 tackles and five tackles for loss this season. He has also continued to show promise as a pass rusher, recording one sack so far. Lovely is a player who college coaches should definitely start paying close attention to this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299937"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde417"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1299937' first='Julian' last='Smith'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now. He lines up at defensive tackle where he has proven to be very difficult to block as a pass rusher. Smith is very explosive out of his stance and uses his speed to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive linemen can react. He has also shown the ability to run all over the field to track down ball carriers against the run. Julian has missed the start of this season due to injury but is expected to return to the field soon, and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him when he does. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638820"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde45f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five defensive linemen in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1638820' first='Logan' last='Meredith']. Meredith lines up at defensive tackle where he is an impressive run stopper. He does a great job of reading the play then fighting through blocks and using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Logan is a very reliable tackler in the open field, accounting for 19 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss this season. He has also recorded 1.5 sacks this year. Meredith should be a player to pay close attention to moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">EDGE:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"5926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde4a8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288478"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde4ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1288478' first='Maddox' last='Hawkins'] is the top edge defender in the state in his class. He is a very dangerous pass rusher who explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Hawkins does a great job of finishing at the quarterback once he gets there, recording five sacks so far this season. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, accounting for 17 tackles and four tackles for loss this year. Maddox holds an offer from Cincinnati and I expect more to come his way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["478102"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='478102' first='Bode' last='Darland'] has been on our radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. He is very disruptive in the backfield both against the run and as a pass rusher. Darland times the snap count perfectly then shoots the gap before the opposing offensive line can block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of finishing the tackle quickly and not allowing any extra yards to be gained. Bode has accounted for 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks this season. Darland has received a good amount of college interest and I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing some offers come his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652351"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abdc45fde57e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The third and final edge defender who made our updated Top 150 for the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1652351' first='Jayden' last='Beavin']. Beavin is a skilled pass rusher off the edge who has shown the ability to use quick pass rush moves to avoid blocks with ease. He has also shown the strength to bull rush straight through opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Jayden is also reliable against the run, showing the ability to run down ball carriers in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Beavin will be a player worth paying close attention to over the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->