Kentucky OL drawing major interest

Junior to Watch: Blake Slates

School: Lexington (Ky.) Dunbar HS

Position: Offensive Lineman

Size and speed: Slates is 6-foot-4, weighs 265 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds.

Statistics: As a junior, he graded out at 90 percent on the season.

Honors: Was named honorable mention all-state as a junior.

Favorite Schools: Kentucky, Louisville, Georgia, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Virginia.

Skinny: In what’s shaping up to be a better than average year for offensive linemen in the Bluegrass State, Lexington Dunbar’s Blake Slates is a name to watch.

As a junior, Slates (6-4, 265, 5.1) anchored one of the area’s best lines and graded out near 90 percent on the season. His good frame and continued physical development has him on many target lists.

“U of L came by (Wednesday),” Dunbar coach Fred Barnott said. “They have been very impressed with Blake, both what they’ve seen on film and in person. They’re really pushing to get him up at their camp this summer.

“He’s also hearing from Kentucky. Coach (Mike) Archer seemed pretty pleased with his profile and tape. Vandy saw him at a combine and was really impressed. I know they’re high on him. He’s also getting some stuff from Georgia, Alabama and a few others (South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Central Florida).”

What makes Slates such an attractive prospect?

“He’s an O-Lineman with real good feet for his size,” Barnott said. “He’s an excellent pulling lineman. He does a great job on traps. We run the counter-tray quite a bit, and he’s excellent at kicking out defensive ends on that. He’s got a real nice lateral step out of his stance.

“Blake’s also a real hard worker. He’s dedicated to getting stronger in the weight room and he practices hard. He’s got great work ethic.”

Slates is also a strong student, sporting a 3.4 GPA and has already qualified academically.