Bode Darland
Bode Darland
About Bode
Expert Analysis
Sam Erman | Prep Redzone Scout
Darland put together a good breakout season and showed he can be a disruptive presence off the edge. He does a nice job keeping contain and plays with good speed off the line, allowing him to get by offensive linemen and create pressure on the quarterback. He can also hold up against the run and doesn’t hesitate when he diagnoses a play. One thing that stands out is his dip move, which lets him get underneath and around slower offensive tackles to win the edge. He finished year three with 55 tackles, 15 TFLs, 5 sacks, and 2 PBUs. I think he’s primed for a big year 3 because the production and pass-rushing tools are both trending in the right direction.
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Read EvaluationRyan Lippert | Prep Redzone Scout
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
played a key role in the LCA defense this past season. Darland lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his strength to shed blocks with ease and speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Bode finished his sophomore year with 55 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 14 games. As a pass rusher, Darland has shown the ability to use his bend and speed to his advantage to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge with ease. Darland finished this past season with five sacks. Bode has received some college interest and I expect his recruitment to continue to heat up this summer.
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Read EvaluationRyan Lippert | Prep Redzone Scout
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
has been very impressive in his first season at LCA after transferring for his sophomore year. Darland lines up at defensive end where he is very reliable as a pass rusher. He does a great job of fighting with his hands to defeat blocks and using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Bode has recorded three sacks and several quarterback hurries in 13 games this season. He has also been great against the run, recording 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns so far this year. Darland has received some college interest and I expect him to be a player worth keeping an eye on moving forward.
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Read EvaluationDrew Toennies | Prep Redzone Scout
Another skilled prospect is
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
, a linebacker at Woodford County High School. Darland impresses me with his ability to push off his opponent and quickly breach the offensive line to apply pressure on the quarterback. I also like how Darland can shut down the run game, proving his ability to read the offense like a book and pounce on the running back in the pocket.
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Read EvaluationRyan Lippert | Prep Redzone Scout
To wrap up our top five linebackers in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
. Darland showed a ton of versatility as a freshman, splitting time between inside linebacker and defensive end. When playing linebacker, Bode was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his plays then flow to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. He also showed the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier and proved to be a reliable tackler once he got to them. Darland finished this past season with 29 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 12 games while also recording two sacks. Bode will be an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next few seasons.
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Read EvaluationDrew Toennies | Prep Redzone Scout
Coming in at number five on my list is
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
, a defensive lineman at Woodford County High School. Darland caught my eye with his ability to utilize his solid footwork and speed off the snap to quickly shut down the running game. I also liked Darland’s strength and physicality at the line of scrimmage, showing off his ability to breach the pocket and make significant stops.
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Read EvaluationDrew Toennies | Prep Redzone Scout
Showcasing his talent at the line of scrimmage is
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
, a defensive lineman at Woodford County High School. Darland stands out with his outstanding size and physical edge, utilizing his strength to blast past the offensive line and get to the quarterback for the sack. I also like how Darland can maneuver the pocket and shut down the running game in just seconds.
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Read EvaluationArlen Harris | Prep Redzone Scout
Bode Darland
Bode
Darland
6'0" | 205 lbs | DL
Lexington Christian | 2028
State
KY
is what you call a tweener. This can be explained as a player whose physical build and talent fits two specific positions in which they can play. That being said, Bode can stand up and play DE or edge rusher. He also fits the outside linebacker mode which I believe he will evolve into in high school. Either way, Lexington Christian Academy has their hands on a 5’11 football player who will make noise wherever he ends up. This 2x Kentucky Future Star is slippery and yet physical. Every offense better ID him as a threat and plan accordingly. Plays with great pad level and urgency to the ball. I look forward to him making his make this year.
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Read EvaluationNate Wahl | Prep Redzone Scout
Watching Bode’s linebacker tape on the first two clips, you almost feel bad for the ball carrier the amount of pressure he shows off with excellent instincts doesn’t even give them a shot as Bode’s electric trigger to the ball is excellent. It also seems like every 2-3 clip Bode makes contact with the ball carrier he’s able to force the ball out of the ball carrier’s hands which should certify how physical this 5’10 160 pound linebacker really is. This young man has some position flexibility at the linebacker spot, as I thought his tape graded out just as solid from the clips he had at middle linebacker as well and I love the range this young man can cover sideline to sideline. We will have to find out how this young fills out with his measurables, but it looks to me from a play-making standpoint that Bode could be next up in the coming years at LCA.
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
-Size and length both literally, and figuratively, separate Darland from pack at this point. At 5-foot-10 and 155-pounds, he’s the ideal fit for the new “Edge” position that is being coveted at all level of football.
-A defensive standout on a Lexington Christian Middle School team, that earned the No.2 seed and a first round bye in KYMSFA 8th Grade Division 3 State Playoggs
-Comes from a strong football pedigree. His father, Todd, played at Murray State and has coached at the high school and middle school level since 1998. His brother, Mac, is a 2026 prospect on Varsity at LCA.
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