Sam Nettles Sam Nettles 6'0" | 170 lbs | LB/RB North Oldham | 2029 KY is a patient, physical linebacker/EDGE for North Oldham. He is a natural pass rusher and has demonstrated the ability to break through the offensive line and disrupt the QB’s progressions. One of his biggest strengths is his quickness and explosiveness out of the snap. Nettles is fast enough to chase down and corner mobile QBs behind the line of scrimmage. He’s long, which bodes well when shedding blocks from offensive linemen and when wrapping up the ball carrier. He also uses that length to his advantage on special teams and has a blocked field goal to his credit to show for it.

Athletic, fast to the ball and relentless are the first three descriptors that come to mind when watching Nettles on film from last season. A productive Running Back/Wide Receiver on offense, Nettles is a two-way player who projects as an Outside Linebacker in my eyes. Plays an attacking style, yet understands how to play off-ball in space. Offers versatility all over the football field on both sides of the ball. Defensively it’d be foolish to rule out the possibility of taking snaps at Linebacker, Nickel or even as an Edge depending on situation. Additionally, is one of the better baseball players in Kentucky for the class of 2029, having a 74 mph fastball as of August 2025. He has put on nearly 20 pounds in the last calendar year.

As I was going through the list of award winners, as you’ll see, it’s littered with offensive skill position players. So when I saw Nettles on the list, it immediately got me excited. While he does play offensive skill position(s)–namely Wide Receiver, he looks more like a Tight End and it’s his physicality that people should get familiar with. On the defensive side of the ball, he’s a heckuva’ play-making Linebacker. Can drop and flip his hips well, in addition to using his length to maximize his range.