Kentucky Sleepers to Watch For: Linebackers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a sensational 2022 campaign, expectations are high in the Bluegrass State as many rising stars from all around the state are being primed to return to the fold this upcoming fall. As the offseason continues, it's time to take a look at some of Kentucky's top performers from last year. After evaluating the top offensive talent, it's time to shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball, starting things off with linebackers. Like my positional breakdown of the offense, I will be focusing exclusively on players from the Bowling Green area who are looking to boost their stock next season. Here's my list of the top linebacker sleepers in the city of Bowling Green to watch closely this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Dawson Drake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greenwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63effd3843095"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson Drake, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound linebacker out of Greenwood High School, was a gamechanger for the Gators' defense last year, closing out the 2022 campaign as the second best tackler on the roster. Drake recorded 98 total tackles, including 48 solo stops and 50 assisted takedowns. Drake additionally picked up a fumble recovery and an interception. Drake has excellent awareness, speed and size, making him an interesting defensive talent to watch in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Ethan Reynolds","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Warren","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63effd3843140"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan Reynolds, a 6-foot-0, 206-pound linebacker out of South Warren High School, was a crucial component to the Spartans' defense last year, closing out the season as the team's third-best tackler. Reynolds picked up 66 tackles last season, collecting 22 solo takedowns and 44 assisted stops. Reynolds additionally hauled in an interception and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. With great size, speed and toughness, Reynolds will likely be a crucial component of the Spartans' defense again in the 2023 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["313667"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63effd3843193"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='313667' first='Yzir' last='Gray'], a 5-foot-10, 190-pound linebacker out of Warren Central High School, played a huge role on the Dragons' defense last year, picking up the third-most tackles on the team. Gray recorded 76 tackles, including 59 solo stops and 17 assisted takedowns. Gray additionally led the Dragons in fumble recoveries with four on the season. Gray should be an intriguing player to watch in 2023 as he is quick to respond to whatever the offense has to throw at him, using his size and speed to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Maddox Tarrence","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Warren East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63effd3843219"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddox Tarrence, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound linebacker out of Warren East High School, was one of the most effective defensive weapons on the Raiders' roster last season, picking up the second-most tackles on the team. Tarrence recorded 69 total tackles, including 64 solo solo takedowns and five assisted stops. Tarrence additionally forced one fumble, made one fumble recovery and hauled in four interceptions. Tarrence has great field awareness, aggression and can make tackles quickly and efficiently. He should be an intriguing defensive player to watch this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Max Buchanon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bowling Green","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63effd384329d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Max Buchanon, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound linebacker out of Bowling Green High School, picked up valuable minutes during his junior stint with the Purples last year, contributing in 14 contests on the defensive side of the ball. Buchanon closed out the season with 25 total tackles, including 19 solo stops, six assisted takedowns and two tackles for loss. Buchanon additionally collected one fumble recovery. With great size and a solid performance last year, Buchanon should be an intriguing talent on the Purples' roster to watch in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->