Defensive Players to Watch at Prep Redzone Kentucky Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are deep into the off-season leading into the 2023 high school football season, our Prep Redzone Prospect Tour is officially underway. This Sunday, our tour will be making a stop at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky. With an impressive list of talented players signed up for the event, I wanted to focus on some key players on both sides of the ball to keep an eye on. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here are some of the top defensive players to watch at our Prep Redzone Kentucky Prospect Tour Showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381906"],"_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_tooltip player_id='381906' first='Wick' last='Dotson'] is a player that climbed up our 2024 rankings after a very impressive junior year. He finished this past season with 70 tackles, two tackles for loss, and five interceptions. Dotson lines up at safety and does a great job of reading the quarterback and breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. When the ball is thrown short, he shows the ability to close on the receiver quickly and knock the ball loose. Against the run, Dotson does a great job of filling the lane to provide support and is a very reliable open field tackler. While he hasn't received any official offers yet, I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["438173"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice'] is a player that has been high on our radar for a while now. He had an impressive junior year, finishing with 126 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Rice is a dominant run stopper at linebacker that does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Rice also plays a key role on offense as a running back but I believe he's best suited on defense at the next level. Brach currently holds offers from Ohio, Southern Illinois, Bowling Green State, Wofford, Eastern Kentucky, Miami (OH), and Toledo, and I expect that list to grow as he is a true Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["373034"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='373034' first='Xsavier' last='Cleary'] debuted as one of our top defensive linemen in our initial 2025 rankings that were recently released after a strong sophomore year. He finished this past season with 58 tackles, ten tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Xsavier is a disruptive defensive tackle that explodes out of his stance and uses his strength to drive the opposing offensive lineman into the backfield. Once he finds where the ball is going, Cleary has shown the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier to make tackles in the open field. He is also a dangerous pass rusher, using his speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen and he does a great job of finishing at the quarterback. Xsavier doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be on the radar of college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["586098"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='586098' first='Brenden' last='Anthony'] is another player that received a high ranking in our initial 2025 rankings. He had a very strong sophomore season, finishing with 120 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Anthony is an off-ball outside linebacker that does a great job of defending the run. He reads his keys very well and flows to the ball quickly. Once he gets to the ball, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Brenden doesn't currently hold any offers but has received some college interest and will definitely be a name to watch over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["331745"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another incoming junior linebacker that I'm excited to watch in person this weekend is [player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Kory' last='Combs'] from Breathitt County. Combs had an impressive sophomore year, finishing with 109 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and one sack. He is an inside linebacker that is very impressive against the run. Combs does a great job of timing the snap count and exploding out of his stance to shoot through the gap before opposing offensive linemen can react. Wants he shoots through the gap, he explodes through the ball carrier to secure the tackle. When the play is away from him, he flows to the ball effectively and takes great angles to get to the ball carrier. Kory also plays a key role on offense as a running back but I like what I've seen from him the most on defense. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Combs will definitely be a name to watch as he is one of the most impressive linebackers in the state.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["587973"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='587973' first='Noah' last='Nyberg'] is a player that recently jumped onto my radar. He had a solid junior year, finishing with 23 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Nyberg is a versatile defensive back that has shown the ability to play in both a nickel role and as a safety. When the ball is thrown his way, he does a great job of breaking on the ball with perfect timing to catch interceptions in stride. He is also reliable against the run, showing the ability to read the play and come downhill in a hurry to provide support. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Nyberg is a very reliable open field tackler. Noah doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be on the radar of college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["316808"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='316808' first='Davon' last='Rudolph'] is a linebacker that has been high on our radar for a while now. He had a strong junior season, finishing with 76 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. Rudolph is an off-ball outside linebacker that does a great job defending the run. He reads his keys and comes downhill in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Rudolph is also a very skilled blitzer, timing the snap count perfectly and bursting through his gap before the opposing offensive line can react. Davon doesn't currently hold any offers but had received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["368269"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373075' first='Ian' last='Williams'] is a linebacker that jumped onto my radar this past season. He had a very impressive sophomore year, finishing with 100 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. Williams is an inside linebacker that is dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball quickly. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Williams has also proven to be reliable in pass coverage, finishing this past season with one interception. Ian doesn't currently hold any offers but will be a player to watch over the next few seasons as he has the talent to be a productive linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["311506"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Another linebacker from the 2025 class that I'm excited to watch in person this weekend is [player_tooltip player_id='311506' first='Preston' last='Williams'] from Madison Southern. Williams had a strong sophomore season, finishing with 98 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He is an off-ball outside linebacker that is very impressive against both the run and pass. As a run stopper, he does a great job of stacking blocks and finding the ball then shedding them quickly once he sees where the play is going. He takes great angles to the football and is a very reliable tackler once he gets to the ball carrier. As a pass rusher, Williams has the speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles and also has the strength to drive straight through them on his way to the quarterback. Preston doesn't currently hold any official offers but has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["423800"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='423800' first='JD' last='Crump'] is a player that we've been high on for a while now. He had a strong junior season, finishing with 85 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks. Crump plays in an outside linebacker/defensive end role where he is a very dangerous pass rusher. He is able to use his speed and bend off the edge to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Crump is also reliable against the run, showing the ability to read the play and get to the football in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Crump was also his team's leading rusher so he could play on either side of the ball at the next level. While JD doesn't currently hold any offers, he has received a good amount of college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643872c2abd42"} /-->