The Underrated Side of Kentucky’s Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For these prospects, their junior season is halfway over as of October 1. During the second half of the season, I expect these five Class of 2028 prospects to come into their own:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2043291"],"_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-6abe73839afdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2043291' first='Brayden' last='Jewell'] is a productive, well-rounded wide receiver prospect for Bullitt East High School. Jewell has a solid track record of making contested catches and hauling them in over his back shoulder. He is a solid route runner and has the speed to make him an explosive deep ball threat. The most impressive piece of his game is his ability to stay calm with soft hands despite knowing there are defenders around him and that he's going to be hit. Jewell has also demonstrated strong awareness of where he is on the field, including along the sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2066960"],"_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-6abe73839b054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2066960' first='Jayson' last='Combs'] is an explosive wide receiver option for Breathitt County High School. Combs is very comfortable going deep and hauling in catches in stride for chunk gains. He can really hit his stride on deep route concepts about 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. Combs doesn't often break his stride or slow down when he's catching the ball. If he does, Combs has the shiftiness and awareness to adjust mid-play to help fight for extra yardage. His speediness is on full display when running deep route concepts. About 10 yards past the line of scrimmage, Combs hits the jets and usually beats his defender in man coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2209072"],"_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-6abe73839b0a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2209072' first='Ja'Ron' last='Combs'] is a playmaking, read-and-react type of defensive back prospect for Louisville Male. Combs does a fantastic job of keeping his eyes on the quarterback and adjusting to the play side as needed. He has fast hips that help him get into a pursuit angle swiftly to track down the ball carrier. This also helps him in pass coverage, where he can help break up a pass despite starting the play on the other side of the field. Combs' efforts have helped him stand out among a talented Male roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2337033"],"_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-6abe73839b0f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2337033' first='Gage' last='Locklear'] is up to 6'6" according to his X page. Locklear is an imposing presence in the trenches who has transitioned to offensive tackle, mainly on the left side, for Ashland Blazer for his junior season. Despite Locklear's size, the big OT is able to stay low in his stance to help win his block through the whistle. His elite wingspan helps him create separation and get out ahead of his defender, aiding Locklear in performing his assigned block. His size is also not indicative of his speed and agility, which is where his background as a tight end comes into play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jesse Kinsall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Marshall County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abe73839b219"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jesse Kinsall is averaging 221.5 passing yards per game for Marshall County through six weeks this season. In total, he's thrown for 1,329 yards and 9 touchdowns on a 59.5% (100-168) completion rate. Kinsall is comfortable rolling out of the pocket and can zip the ball accurately down the field off-platform. He possesses a very strong arm, which helps him take the top off the defense. His accuracy is consistent when throwing the ball at all three levels. Kinsall has thrown six interceptions this season, good for one per game. So, if he can cut back on his turnover numbers, he looks like a next-level football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->