Linebackers Gaining Attention Around the Bluegrass

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five linebacker prospects have established themselves as the heart of their respective defenses over the past seven weeks. They look to keep that going heading into Week 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["988065"],"_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-6ac5d88b2d19c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wyat Gower is an athletic outside linebacker for Paducah Tilghman. Gower defends the flats well in zone coverage and often blows up screens and quick outs at or behind the line of scrimmage. He plays downhill against the run, bull-ruses well along the edge, and ruins plays in the backfield. Gower is versatile, however, and has also played defensive back this season. Gower's versatility sets him apart from other defenders in his class; he can play any position on defense and perform well there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156976"],"_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-6ac5d88b2d205"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2156976' first='Landry' last='Queen'] comes from a football family, and it shows. Queen (now 6'2" and 220 pounds) runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and has become an imposing linebacker presence for Beechwood's defense. As middle linebacker, Queen is the heart of the defense. He sheds blocks well, maintains gap discipline, and meets the ball carrier at the point of contact. He is at his best when he can explode through the line in blitz packages. In his first six games this season, Queen has compiled 46 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a pass breakup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231006"],"_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-6ac6d30bada7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='231006' first='Sam' last='Tunks'] has gained 10 extra pounds for his senior season at Warren East. Tunks does a great job of reading the backfield and reacting appropriately to what the offense gives him. He is a hard-nosed, physical, downhill linebacker who has demonstrated that he can break away from his block and pursue the football. Tunks is an aggressive pass rusher, which is why he plays a hybrid DE/LB role for Warren East. He can also chase down the ball carrier from the backside thanks to his explosiveness off the snap. At LB, he maintains his assignment and shows solid gap presence against the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2220020"],"_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-6ac6d30badaa7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2220020' first='Max' last='Oliverio'] has been on my radar for a couple of months now and has continued to have a breakout sophomore campaign for DeSales. Oliverio can guard the pass well in both man and zone coverage and has shown he can break off his receiver in time to pursue the ball carrier. This past weekend, against Christian Academy Louisville's high-powered offense, Olvierio recorded 11 total tackles, including 9 solo tackles. He also added 65 yards of offense against the 3A's top team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1666801"],"_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-6ac5d88b2d253"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1666801' first='Colton' last='Kremer'] is a downhill, read-and-react linebacker for Highlands. As a middle linebacker, Kremer plays both sides of the field well. He has great reaction time and quick hips that help him shed his assignment and get to the ball quickly. He's at his best when he's playing to stop the run. He holds his gap well in blitz packages, and his aggressiveness at the point of attack gives him a head start on his opposing blocker, driving them back before shedding the block and looking to make the tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->