Top defensive performers at Sunday Night Lights

Cats Illustrated was in Commonwealth Stadium for Sunday Night Lights, and these are just some of the defensive players who impressed.

Wynter would be a defensive tackle at most schools but at Kentucky, in that scheme, he'd probably be more of a 'tweener. He looks like he's about 6-foot-2, 270 pounds. He was eager and tenacious in drills, threw his weight around pretty well and has the right mindset to be a quality pass rusher as a big end or a tackle.

Kentucky had some impressive defensive linemen camping or visiting on Saturday and some showed up again on Sunday. One who impressed at Sunday Night Lights was Carter, an undersized (6-foot-1) pass rusher from Louisville, Ky.

The Class of 2017 prospect has the look of a linebacker but when his hand was in the dirt he fired off the ball with impressive speed, and that speed presented problems for the bigger offensive tackles he faced. He plays mostly defensive end in high school last year, and occasionally some stand-up pass rusher. But in a college 3-4 he's a linebacker all the way.

Nixon had a solid camp at North Carolina earlier in the summer and he followed that up with another solid camp at Kentucky. He's not spectacular in any given area but he does a lot of things pretty well. He seems to take good angles and knows his body, his strengths and limitations. Nixon isn't the most physically imposing linebacker but he's big enough, fast enough and smart enough to be an FBS player at the position.

It's not clear whether Kentucky would take another linebacker in the 2017 class - they might not. But Miller was among the more physically impressive players at the camp. He's not especially tall, but he's tall enough. And he's absolutely ripped, looking like a physical linebacker who could make plays in the box.

Davis lived up his billing at Kentucky and the coaches probably aren't second-guessing their decision to accept his commitment after he showed out as one of the top linebackers at the camp.

Davis has the requisite length to play outside linebacker (though he's not a Jack) and he plays fast with a natural competitiveness when he's in action. He turns his hips and changes direction well, and he explodes with good power as he shifts gears. He'll be able to cover and play the run for Kentucky.

The younger teammate of four-star 2017 receiver Danny Davis picked up an offer after the camp's conclusion. Hoelscher was one of the top linebackers at the camp. He could be an inside or an outside linebacker and looks as big as advertised. He also ran better than we expected him to, and has the lateral quickness and agility to make plays in space. He can cover and move downhill.

Although Nesbitt is just listed at 6-feet he looked even bigger than that from field level. He's got very long legs and good overall athleticism. From his footwork to his natural athleticism - he seems like a natural who just glides, and can excel in coverage - it's easy to see why Nesbitt has offers from the likes of Auburn, Florida State, LSU, South Carolina, Washington and many others, including Kentucky.

The 6-foot, 165-pound defensive back from West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer had a strong showing. He's got a good combination of length, cover ability and ball skills. He's an all-around field cornerback who can do most anything you want him to do in the secondary. He announces his commitment on Aug. 2 and Kentucky is a finalist.

Jennings is a defensive back and receiver and was one of the younger players at the camp. But he's got really good length and the tools to be an excellent player. His technique and grasp of the basics of the position will improve over time, but for his age he looked like a really good safety prospect and potential ball hawk.

UK's most recent commitment was dominant as a slot receiver and when he switched over to the defensive side of the ball he was equally impressive working with Steven Clinkscale.

He'll be a slot receiver at Kentucky and doesn't quite have the normal length the Wildcats recruit in the secondary, but his footwork, backpedal and quickness helped him look really good in drills. If he were to play defensive back, he'd be the kind that wouldn't shy away from contact or any challenge.

Montgomery is still growing into his body and could stand to put on some more weight. Backpedaling and footwork also don't come as easily to him, as one of the bigger corners who camped with Kentucky. But you can tell everything is there if he continues to develop himself.

He got beat in a one-on-one long ball situation against Mershawn Rice (recently offered 2019 receiver from Reynoldsburg, Ohio), but had some very bright moments. He has an exceptional wing span and has better hips and body control than you would think from a player his size and of his age. It's worth noting that similarly long corners at Kentucky, Chris Westry and Derrick Baity, didn't always thrive in camp settings because those events sometimes favor smaller, quicker, shiftier players.

Ross was very impressive and seemed to be getting plenty of attention from the coaching staff. He was often hanging around Montgomery but the two couldn't be more different as defensive backs.

Ross isn't the tallest defensive back (under 6-feet) but his size really didn't look like much of a concern. He's a compact, powerful and explosive safety who plays downhill and with great confidence. You can tell he's been in big-time settings before. The former Miami commitment had a good personality and competitiveness that doesn't put anybody off, and he had a very good day.