Pike set the tone for the defense in Week 1, turning in a dominant performance at linebacker. He racked up 16 tackles and added 2.0 tackles for loss, consistently flying to the football and making his presence felt from start to finish.

Pike continues to establish himself as one of the rising names to watch in the Class of 2028 after a standout season where he totaled 112 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His production highlights his ability to consistently make plays and impact the game from the middle of the defense. With his combination of instincts, effort, and continued development, Pike has a chance to become one of the top linebackers in his class. As he gains more experience, expect him to keep taking another step forward and making his presence felt for Steele.

Pike is a defensive player who plays with steady effort and a strong presence in the middle of the defense. He reads plays well, reacts quickly downhill, and shows the ability to get to the football in both run support and pursuit. He stays active through traffic, works to stay in position, and competes on every snap.

Pike is a young LB to keep a eye on this season. He move laterally , stayed under control and showed good understanding of the fundamentals being taught. He was attentive to the coaching and what stood out was his ability to keep up with the competitiveness.

Kempe is a linebacker who is quickly becoming a player to watch heading into the spring season because of the intensity and fire he brings to every snap. He plays with a noticeable edge at the linebacker position, flying to the football with urgency and showing no hesitation when it comes to stepping downhill against the run. What stands out most is his energy Kempe consistently sets the tone for his defense with his physical mindset and willingness to get involved in every phase of the play.

Beyond just effort, Kempe shows encouraging instincts that allow him to play faster than his reads at times. He recognizes run keys quickly and triggers downhill with confidence, closing space in a hurry and finishing tackles with authority. He is the type of defender who doesn’t wait for the play to come to him—he attacks it, which creates disruption in the backfield and forces offenses to adjust their timing. His pursuit stands out as well, as he continues chasing plays sideline to sideline and staying involved even when the ball breaks outside the initial point of attack.

Pike, a linebacker in the class of 2028, is making his presence felt in a big way at the midway point of the season. Already sitting at 50 tackles, he’s shown the ability to read plays quickly and close in on ball carriers with authority. His consistency in wrapping up in the open field, combined with his aggressiveness downhill, has made him a steady force for his defense. For such a young prospect, Pike’s production speaks volumes, and his ceiling continues to rise as he gains more experience.