Tale of the tape: Scouting Xavier Peters
Our scouting report series rolls on as we get you ready for the first ever National Signing Day in December. Next up, is four-star linebacker Xavier Peters.
Peters hails from the Lakota West program just outside of Cincinnati that has sent at least one player to UK in five of the six recruiting classes since Mark Stoops took over in Lexington. Peters will become the first defensive player from West to head to Kentucky and as well as being the highest ranked prospect.
After watching the tape, here is what to think about the linebacker from the Cincinnati area.
Name: Xavier Peters
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 218 pounds
Hometown: West Chester, Ohio
High School: Lakota West
Offers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Stats: 50 tackles, four tackles for loss
Background: Back in the summer, Peters was somewhere near the top of UK’s recruiting board as he’s from a pipeline school Vince Marrow regularly visits and was a big position of need for the Kentucky program. A physical presence, Peters received offers from nearly everyone in the college football world not named Ohio State and Michigan. Peters was invited to The Opening back in the summer and will play in the Under Armour All-American Game next month.
Strengths
After being used mainly as an inside linebacker as a junior, Peters moved to the edge in his senior season and his quickness immediately jumps out at you. Peters has a great burst off of the edge and consistently blows by offensive tackles. With this quickness, Peters also brings a very high motor. Multiple times you see Peters come flying by from behind with great pursuit to make high effort tackles. When coming off the edge, Peters has a very long frame and shows a nice knack of being able to bat down passes. When he gets to the runner, expect a collision.
Weaknesses
In the outside linebacker position, Peters often plays very high. His first move at the snap is to stand straight up and that slows down what would be a very quick first step. This opens himself to blockers and when facing the run it really puts him at a disadvantage. Peters also has a very funky three-point stance that needs work. Peters is way back on heels without a forward lean and this additionally slows down his first burst. Peters delivers big hits, but you have to dig deep to find a tackle where see a wrap up with leg drive. The shoulder clothesline will not work on legit Power Five running backs.
Moving Forward
Watching the Peters tape from his junior season, I immediately thought you could plug him into UK’s middle linebacker spot. However, He has the build to be a quality outside linebacker in UK’s scheme and that’s where he will play unless there is a shift back to the 4-3. Peters needs some seasoning and should be headed to a redshirt year, but there is a load of talent there and with improved fundamentals he’s going to be a headache for plenty of SEC offensive tackles. Look for UK to use him at the Sam linebacker position currently held down by Josh Allen.
