Behind the Rankings: 2023 Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">With the 2023 high school football season just a couple weeks away, our initial rankings for the class of 2023 have been officially published for the state of Kentucky. Over the next couple weeks, I will go into detail on how the rankings at each position came to be. In this article, I will turn my attention to the leaders in the middle of the defense. The state of Kentucky is filled with a lot of impressive linebacker prospects in the class of 2023 that will play at the next level but these are the ones that stood out the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">1. [player_tooltip player_id="386751" first="Brody" last="Wells"]| 6'2", 210 lbs.| Corbin High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14642589/61996abb04287c02a052fa9d">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id="386751" first="Brody" last="Wells"] has been one of the best defensive players in the state over the past couple seasons. He is coming off an outstanding junior year in which he received Honorable Mention All-State recognition. Wells plays on the outside but has the skill set to be a true inside linebacker as well if asked to. He does a great job of reading the play and coming downhill in a hurry once he knows where the ball is going. Once he gets to the ball, Wells is an excellent open field tackler, running his feet and exploding through contact. When the play is away from him, he takes great angles to the football and has the speed to make plays from the backside. Against the pass, Wells is very fluid in his drops and has the ability to open up and run with tight ends and wide receivers out of the slot. Brody is currently committed to Eastern Kentucky and should succeed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">2. [player_tooltip player_id="387784" first="Simon" last="Ghee"]| 6'3", 250 lbs.| Warren East High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11999730/6119bc650dcaad0dc8e4433f">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id="387784" first="Simon" last="Ghee"] is a big, athletic outside linebacker that has jumped onto my radar recently. Ghee plays in a stand up outside linebacker/defensive end role off the edge and wreaks havoc from that position. He has an explosive first step and has the speed to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive tackles have a chance to get their hands on him. As a pass rusher, he does a great job of using his strength and quickness to shed blocks quickly on his way to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, he is an explosive finisher, making sure his presence is felt. He also shows the awareness to jump up and defend passes, showing the ability to intercept and swat down passes. Against the run, Ghee plays with a very high motor and gets to the ball in a hurry. His quick first step helps him gain an early advantage and become a tackle for loss machine. Ghee currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, Southeast Missouri State, Austin Peay, and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I expect more to come as he has the skill set to play at the FCS level or higher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">3. [player_tooltip player_id="386752" first="Aiden" last="Jones"]| 6'3", 225 lbs.| Covington Catholic High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12921342/61a978d42ab0e30358ed3f25">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id="386752" first="Aiden" last="Jones"] is a player that has been on my radar since the beginning of this off-season. He is a big, athletic inside linebacker that moves very well for his size. Jones has great lateral agility which he uses to move sideline to sideline to make plays. He is a force against the run as he uses his size and physicality to be a "brick wall" against opposing running backs when meeting them in the gap. Once they meet Jones in the hole, there isn't much opportunity for extra yards. Jones has also shown the ability to win off the edge against the pass and finish at the quarterback. Aiden committed to continue his football and academic career at Army, and will look to play a key role in trying to put Covington Catholic back into title contention in 5A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">4. [player_tooltip player_id="287571" first="Jeremiah" last="Goodwin"]| 6'2", 200 lbs.| Owensboro High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9958530/61eb10323452a507dc59cf58">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Another linebacker that jumped onto my radar early this off-season is Owensboro outside linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id="287571" first="Jeremiah" last="Goodwin"]. Goodwin will be looking to improve on a very successful junior season in which he finished fourth in the entire state with 13 sacks while also accounting for 56 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, one interception, and three forced fumbles. He plays off the edge in the stand up outside linebacker position and is at his best rushing the passer. Goodwin has a quick first step and has shown the ability to beat opposing offensive tackles by using pure speed to run around them , and by using his strength to shed blocks. Once he gets to the quarterback, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to finish the sack. Against the run, Goodwin shows the ability to read the play quickly and get to the ball. Jeremiah currently holds offers from Morehead State and Southeast Missouri State and I expect more to come as he is an FCS-level talent that can make an impact at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">5. [player_tooltip player_id="386761" first="Jaxon" last="Panariello"]| 6'2", 220 lbs.| Saint Xavier High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13349678/5f81d6baf56aeb0958b2f4ae">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id="386761" first="Jaxon" last="Panariello"] is a linebacker that jumped out to me when finalizing my rankings for this class. Panariello is a big, physical outside linebacker that played a key role in Saint Xavier's 6A State Championship run last season. Against the pass, he uses his speed to shoot the gaps and win off the edge to get to the quarterback. Once he gets to the quarterback, he explodes through contact and finishes with the sack. He also has shown the ability to drop into coverage and read the play. Once the ball is thrown, he comes downhill in a hurry and meets the receiver before they have a chance to turn up the field. Against the run, Panariello plays with a high motor, showing the ability to run down the ball carrier from all over the field, and is a very physical tacker in the open field. Jaxon doesn't currently hold any reported offers but I expect them to come for him soon as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level and will be a key piece in the Tigers' quest to repeat as 6A State Champions this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:15px">Best of the Rest (Players included in Top 150):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id="386765" first="Josh" last="Bowling"]</strong>| 6'2", 220 lbs.| Simon Kenton High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12816167/619019565caa7a0a6c132045">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id="145764" first="Carson" last="Wright"]</strong>| 6'0", 200 lbs.| Pikeville High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8463191/623ceb58b5360b0884428db6">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>8. [player_tooltip player_id="386764" first="Xander" last="Early"]</strong>| 5'10", 190 lbs.| Owensboro High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15983936/61cf6725a676e4055c66942c">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id="386773" first="Jacob" last="Lacefield"]</strong>| 6'1", 210 lbs.| Meade County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14921337/6188751cdfd86f0944468964">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id="386756" first="Davis" last="Fant"]</strong>| 5'11", 215 lbs.| Bowling Green High School|<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13187810/61250368bed6d40a40db2aa7"> Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>11. [player_tooltip player_id="331694" first="Gavin" last="Willis"]</strong>| 6'0", 205 lbs.| Ballard High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12701737/61351c764debb3041cf664bb">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>12. [player_tooltip player_id="386754" first="Cayden" last="Allen"]</strong>| 5'10", 230 lbs.| Great Crossing High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12853752/61abcefedfd826071c9c84c8">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>13. [player_tooltip player_id="386760" first="Elijah" last="Adams"]</strong>| 6'0", 220 lbs.| Scott County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12954373/619001933df541031c12e6c4">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>14. [player_tooltip player_id="386755" first="Devin" last="Derossett"]</strong>| 6'0", 215 lbs.| Pikeville High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12783027/625763e419a5a80590df8a98">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>15. [player_tooltip player_id="386759" first="Jake" last="Harmeyer"]</strong>| 6'0", 200 lbs.| Cooper High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12926521/61942f563865400534c59de1">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>16. [player_tooltip player_id="386753" first="Nikalos" last="Dixon"]</strong>| 5'10", 210 lbs.| Bryan Station High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13255683/6194eed0ab9c5b0ac464c098">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>17. [player_tooltip player_id="386758" first="Tresean" last="Benford"]|</strong> 6'0", 190 lbs.| Frederick Douglass High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12787565/61b0d0d0c124b50f00f562c4">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>18. [player_tooltip player_id="386762" first="Tashawn" last="Benford"]</strong>| 5'11", 180 lbs.| Frederick Douglass High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15019265/Tashawn-Benford">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>19. [player_tooltip player_id="386769" first="Zach" last="Watson"]</strong>| 6'3", 200 lbs.| Rowan County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12608322/619400e6e9858104cc6b5be1">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>20. [player_tooltip player_id="386757" first="Devin" last="Greer"]</strong>| 6'3", 210 lbs.| Bowling Green High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14353105/619685c60c53590a7c1aef32">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->