KY ‘28 Position Rankings Breakdowns: DB

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac92a679fcd0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in August, 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 have been taking some time to continue breaking these rankings down by position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the front seven already being taken care of, here are our top defensive backs in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["953600"],"_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-6ac92a679ff55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='953600' first='Kyle' last='Sledge Jr.'] has separated himself as the top defensive back in the state in his class. Sledge lines up at strong safety where he has proven to be very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading both the quarterback and route combinations then flowing throughout the secondary accordingly. When the ball is thrown in his direction, he has shown impressive ball skills, coming away with two interceptions through the first six games this season. Kyle has also recorded 20 tackles so far this season and has made a huge impact on offense, leading his team in rushing with 27 carries for 362 yards and three touchdowns while also catching eight passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Sledge currently holds offers from Samford, Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee State, and Tulsa, 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":["1089873"],"_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-6ac92a679ff81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1089873' first='Andrew' last='Davis'] is a player who has been high on our radar for a while now. Davis lines up at corner where he is very effective in zone coverage. He does a great job of diagnosing routes then dropping into his zone accordingly to put himself in position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, Andrew reacts with perfect timing to make a play on the ball, recording one interception and multiple pass breakups in six games this season. He has also accounted for 19 tackles this year and has played a key role on offense, catching 19 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns so far. Andrew holds offers from Bowling Green State and Akron, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way in the near future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156981"],"_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-6ac92f200f6cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2156981' first='Jacobi' last='Watts'] is a player who has quickly climbed up our rankings over the past couple years. He plays in a strong safety/linebacker role where he is very dependable against the run. Watts does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his speed to get to the ball carrier before they can get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Watts is a very reliable open field tackler, recording 61 tackles and one tackle for loss through the first seven games of his junior year. Jacobi has also proven to be effective in coverage, breaking up three passes so far this season. Watts currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect a lot of eyes to continue to be on him this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["953020"],"_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-6ac92f200f729"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='953020' first='Neo' last='Davis-Jones'] is one of the more under-the-radar defensive backs in the state. He lines up at safety where he has proven to be very reliable against the run. As soon as Neo sees where the ball is going, he explodes downhill with a sense of urgency to fill the lane and get to the ball carrier. He is a very good open field tackler, showing the ability to run his feet through contact to finish his tackles quickly. Davis-Jones has also shown the ability to flow through the secondary and take away open windows against the pass. Neo will be a player worth paying close attention to as he continues to to develop moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156977"],"_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-6ac92f200f771"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five defensive backs in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='2156977' first='Grant' last='Foley']. Foley lines up at safety where he is very impressive against the pass. He has tremendous range, showing the ability to read routes and cover a ton of ground in a hurry to make a play on the ball once it is in the air. When the ball is thrown in his direction, he has shown the ability to react with perfect timing to either break up the pass or come away with the interception. He is also one of Ryle's go-to targets on offense at receiver. Foley is a player who college coaches should definitely have on their radar over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->