2022 Kentucky All-State 3A Team
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I am excited to continue my All-state Team ranking series by listing the top players out of the class 3A division in the Bluegrass State. I have already posted my rankings for the Kentucky All-State Team for classes 1A &…
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Continue ReadingI am excited to continue my All-state Team ranking series by listing the top players out of the class 3A division in the Bluegrass State. I have already posted my rankings for the Kentucky All-State Team for classes 1A & 2A so if you have not checked those out already they are posted on our Kentucky site. It is an exciting time in Kentucky since high school football has already kicked off for the past 2 weeks. Although some players may outperform others in this year’s season, I am solely ranking these players based on their performances from last year and up to the beginning of the season. As we continue going higher in the division classes, it will be more difficult to select an individual player over another player who nearly played just as well as the one I picked but that does not mean they do not deserve the spot on my list. The depth of talent in Kentucky continues to expand which adds more competition and thrilling outcomes to football games in the state. Like the last two rankings, I will be using the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) database to cover player individual statistics (Offensive linemen’s statistics are not included in the database).
QB: Cole Hodge Cole Hodge 6'2" | QB Christian Academy Of Louisville | 2024 State KY | 6-2, 180lbs. Class of 2024 | Christian Academy of Louisville, KY | Tape:
KHSAA QB Ranking: #6
2021 Football Season Stats: 64.1% completions for 2,101 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns/4 interceptions, 572 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns in 12 games played.
Cole is an extremely talented dual-threat quarterback that has an absolute cannon of an arm with a quick release that can toss it perfectly into the hands of the receiver. What is so special about Hodge is that he can make positive yardage no matter the situation. Because of that, Cole can throw on the run when under pressure and he is one of the better quarterbacks in the State who can scramble out of the pocket and run for yardage. His 500+ rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns are there to prove how talented he is at running the football. The junior has already received camp invites from power 5 schools and other local interests from colleges. I can not wait to see how Cole ends up performing once the season ends since he is only a junior and is already one of the most talented quarterbacks in the state.
RB: Peyton Smith Peyton Smith 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY | 5-11, 190lbs. Class of 2025 | Taylor County High School, KY | Tape:
KHSAA RB Ranking: #1
2021 Football Season Stats: 199 rushing attempts for 1,841 rushing yards & 23 rushing touchdowns in 12 games played.
Past Analysis: Peyton is a one-of-a-kind talent. Smith had a record freshman season as he was ranked 5th in the top 50 rushers of the state by the KHSAA. Not only can this kid run the ball, but he can also run routes receiving the ball and also return kicks with little to no problem. A true dual-threat running back who breaks off tackles like he is running through brittle drywall. Also to note, he ran a 4.6 40-yard dash as a freshman which answers how he can break out onto the open field with little difficulty. Truly an exciting talent that will continue to develop his game this upcoming fall season.
WR & DB : Kristopher Hughes | 6-0, 193lbs. Class of 2023 | Union County High School, KY | Tape:
KHSAA WR Ranking: #3
KHSAA Interception Ranking: #1
2021 Football Season Stats: 49 receptions for 910 receiving yards & 12 touchdowns in 11 games played.
2021 Defensive Stats: 9 interceptions in 11 games played.
Kristopher is a unique wide receiver who is quick off the line of scrimmage to get you some quick yards but can also outrun a Defensive back on a 1v1 deep route. The senior tied for 3rd in total receiving touchdowns in the 3A class and that is not nearly his most impressive trait. Hughes reminds me so much of a young Devin Hester because he is easily up there as one of the top kick returners in the state, returning multiple kicks for touchdowns. What is so impressive about Kristopher returning kicks is his ability to create open space for him to run and make quick decisions on how to utilize the blocking he gets from his special teams unit. He is so confident and returning kicks he will grab kicks that have gone over his head and are about to land in the endzone for a touchback, just to go chase the ball and run it out for a 60-yard return. With his speed and game IQ, he easily ranks up as a top receiver in the 3A class. Although he has been listed as running back on his highlights page, I hope to see him continuing to play snaps at wide receiver since he is already gifted at that position.
Not only did he receive the spot for the best receiver but he also received the best spot for Defensive back as the young man racked up a state-leading 9 interceptions for the Union County defense. His stellar play and mindset at receiver help him predict the movements of quarterback decisions and can lock up receivers more efficiently. Kristopher is a clear example of a player who can play elite football playing both sides of the ball (offensively & Defensively).
OL: Hayes Johnson Hayes Johnson 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Taylor County | 2024 State KY | 6-5, 295lbs. Class of 2024 | Taylor County High School, KY | Tape:
*KHSAA Stats N/A*
*2021 Football Stats N/A*
Hayes is a hard-hitting guard that can produce top-tier help blocking and create wide gaps for the ball carrier. The junior led the protection of the Taylor County offensive squad to be ranked 11th in state total scoring margin and 3rd in total team rushing yards. What makes Hayes different than a lot of other offensive linemen is how much quicker he gets off his feet. His speedy footwork and lower body strength enable him to push over opposing tackles to create gaps for the ball carrier. The young man is the real deal as he has already received offers from D1 schools such as Louisville, Tennessee, Baylor, and others. As he is only a junior, he still has 2 years of high school football left to further develop into an even more dominant offensive lineman and I expect his name to be up there as a candidate for one of the top linemen in the state by his senior season.
LB: Braedon Waddle | 5-10, 205lbs. Class of 2023 | Estill County High School, KY | Tape:
KHSAA Tackle Ranking: #2
2021 Football Season Defensive Stats: 130 Total tackles in 10 games played.
What really stands out for me the most about Braedon Waddle is his field vision and defensive IQ. The senior is able to easily depict what routes the offense will be running towards and place himself always at the right spot in order to make the defensive stop. Not only does that help him make plays but his strength and speed enables him to reach ball carriers quicker and effectively put them down even when on an awkward angle tackling the player. If there is anyone the Estill defense will have to rely on to make a play the most, it will most certainly be Braedon Waddle. I also believe he can transition that same mindset of play towards his future if he decides to play college ball somewhere.
DL: Isaac Fry | 6-3, 210lbs. Class of 2024 | Fleming County High School, KY | Tape:
KHSAA Defensive Sack Rating: #3
2021 Football Season Defensive Stats: 8 defensive sacks in 12 games played.
Isaac can get off the line of scrimmage exceedingly quickly to put pressure on the quarterback. The junior tied for the 3rd in the entire state in total sacks. A really fast edge rusher can be dangerous for any offense to have to deal with, especially on a blitz. Isaac makes it a problem for any opposing offense to get a comfortable flow of the offense due to his consistent pressure. His hand skills on the line should also be noted as he can use multiple maneuvers in his arsenal to blow by the opposing guard. Although he is already a strong young man, with 2 years left of high school football, I expect him to get even stronger and make it nearly impossible for the offense to be fully protected on the line of scrimmage.