The Most Active, Disruptive Returning Defensive Linemen in SEKY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After taking a look at some of this region's top returning blockers for 2023, it seems only logical to now turn our attention to those opposing linemen on the defensive side of the ball intent on making their lives miserable, and not surprisingly, 2023 promises to yield a bumper crop of dynamic, talented and athletic defensive linemen with a wide variety of specialized skills. From powerful, wide, prototypical A-gap players who simply demand double teams to longer, quicker speed players aligned on the edge and challenge blockers with mobility and dexterity, some of southeastern Kentucky's top programs will rely heavily upon these frontline athletes who clearly possess the ability to re-establish the line of scrimmage, recognize and defeat a variety of blocking schemes and then finishing plays with by tackling the ball carrier or enabling clean, direct pursuit angles for their teammates. </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":"Cooper Bailey","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Letcher County Central","_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":"Bailey typically aligns defensively as a conventional, sometimes loose 5-technique on the outside shoulder of an uncovered offensive tackle and can play either right or left handed, as well as both wide-side and perimeter responsibilities. While often conceding 50 pounds or more versus larger linemen, he demonstrates very consistent and purposeful blow delivery to the blocker's outside pec/pad, good separation via arm extension, and the ability to read/respond to his primary keys quickly. Over the course of his 12-game senior season, he collected 6 solo tackles, 27 assists, three tackles for loss and 1 sack. In addition, his consistently high motor and intelligent pursuit angles ensure that he almost always finishes plays around the ball, as evidenced by his 2 fumblesu002du002done of which he turned into a 28-yard scoop and score!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Dawson Cornett","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Letcher County Central","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Cornett most frequently aligns as a 3-technique defender on the outside shoulder of either offensive guard, and consistently occupies B-gap with an exceptional combination of a quick, vertical takeoff, very accurate blow delivery to the inside pec of the guard and the formidable leverage he establishes by playing behind his shoulder pads and u0022bridgingu0022 his defensive fit with good lower body positioning/flexibility. Exceptionally active for an interior defensive lineman, as a junior starter in 12 total games, he accumulated 9 solo tackles and 58 assists, in addition to 4 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery. A strong, high-energy and technically sound performer, single blockers find that he proves very difficult to drive off the line of scrimmage vertically, and he plays both inside trap and sweeps/outside zones effectively by working under/through pressure and not overpenetrating.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["373801"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A wide-bodied 4-technique very well suited for B-gap responsibility versus single-blocks, double-teams and inside zone schemes, Hatfield also possesses the athleticism to align head up on an uncovered offensive tackle and assume base responsibilities off-tackle and establishing contain on runs or roll outs to his side.  Versus his read lineman's inside release, he does tend to work up field a bit and make himself somewhat susceptible to inside trap plays, but after collecting 38 solos, 29 assists, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack in 15 games for the 14-1 Redhounds as a mere sophomore, let's just say the ceiling is exceptionally high for further development and productivity over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["490012"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Of course, Johnson's reputation as one of Kentucky's top defensive talents precedes this article. As the two-time state defending state leader in sacks (with 21 and 23, respectively) and a returning member of numerous all-state teams, he already has the attention of numerous fansu002du002dand quite a number of opposing offensive coordinators. His junior season for the Jaguars yielded 31 solo tackles and 67 assists in 11 games, including 11 tackles for loss and 23 total sacks along with 1 forced fumble. In his junior season, he also took on some measure of double duty by playing offensively in certain down/distance situations, carrying the ball 12 times for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. While not especially long, tall or physically imposing, Johnson achieves such productivity primarily when he is permitted to align loosely off the frame of the last blocker on the line of scrimmage, and this his quick initial get off, flexible body lean into offensive pressure and continual acceleration. When left on an island to single block such a technically proficient and tireless opponent, more often than not, tackles will struggle to succeed.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Miller","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"North Laurel","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"It's a testament to Miller's athleticism, versatility and competitiveness that he actually proves to be a difficult defender to pigeonhole into one specific position. At times, we've see him lined up as an inside linebacker, at others walked up outside the last lineman on either edge of the line of scrimmageu002du002dbut perhaps most often (and most disruptively), he will align over an opposing guard (at either a 2-3-technique), put his hand on the ground and consistently give opposing blockers fits with his exceptionally quick takeoff, his active hands/escapes, and his sheer tenacity in chasing down the football. Because he often gives up 50 pounds or more to those he engages, enhancing his separation skills will help prevent blockers from getting into his frame, and this forthcoming season likely will see him improve upon 2022's 11 game production of 10 solo tackles, 28 assists, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble. As a tight end offensively, Miller also hauled in 4 receptions for 46 total yards and 1 touchdown.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe5af5b18d1"} /-->