2022 Preseason All-Northern Kentucky Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">With the 2022 high school football regular season underway, it is time to give some predictions before we get deeper into the season. Over the next couple weeks, I will be focusing on top players in different areas of the state of Kentucky. After covering the offensive side of the ball last week, I will now focus on the top defensive prospects from the talent-rich Northern Kentucky area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630d56011cd6d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373821"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] is not only the best defensive player in the class of 2025 but one of the best in the entire state in my eyes. For this reason, he is my pick for Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Northern Kentucky. Alexander is an athletic defensive end that uses his speed and impressive pass rush moves to dominate off the edge. He plays with a very high motor and continues to work towards the quarterback. Against the run, he shows the ability to squeeze the edge and read the play. When the play is run in the opposite direction, he does a great job of using his speed to run down the line and make plays from the back side. Austin currently holds offers from Liberty, Eastern Kentucky, Akron, and Maryland, and I expect that list to continue to expand over the next few years as he has true Power 5 level potential.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["423621"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='423621' first='Xavier' last='Campbell'] is a player that I have been very high on this summer. He is currently our fourth ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2024. The first thing that stands out to me when watching his film is that he plays with a very high motor. Campbell explodes out of his stance as a pass rusher and often wins simply by running right by opposing offensive tackles. He also shows the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the passer. In the run game, he does a great job of finding the ball and showing great effort to make plays all over the field. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect them to come soon as he has the potential to be a very good player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["331757"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The future of Cooper's defense is in very good hands as they have a pair of impressive underclassman defensive linemen in Alexander and his teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='331757' first='Drayden' last='Pavey']. Pavey is a true nose tackle that can also play in a shade technique. He uses his size and strength to clog up the gaps in the middle and often draws a double team. Pavey shows the strength and motor to keep working and fight through blocks to be disruptive in the backfield. Once he gets to the ball, there isn't much room to pick up extra yards as he does a great job of securing tackles. Drayden holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come for him over the next few seasons as he has been taking advantage of the camp circuit and has received a ton of college interest.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Brach Rice","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Dixie Heights","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Brach Rice is a key play maker on both sides of the ball for Dixie Heights but shines the brightest on defense. He is a very dangerous pass rusher at defensive end. Rice has the strength to drive straight through blocks with his bull rush but also has an impressive amount of bend off the edge to get around offensive tackles. Once he gets to the quarterback, he explodes through contact and makes sure his presence is felt. Against the run, he uses his high motor to make plays all over the field and is a very reliable open field tackler. He doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect them to come soon as Brach has been receiving a ton of interest and has the skill set to succeed at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["386752"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386752' first='Aiden' last='Jones'] is a player that I have been very high on since the beginning of summer as he is our third ranked linebacker in the class of 2023. He is a big, physical linebacker with impressive lateral agility for his size. Jones does a great job of moving sideline to sideline to make plays all over the field. Once he gets to the ball, he is a very physical tackler and is a brick wall in between the tackles as there is very little chance of ball carriers falling forward for extra yards. He also shows the versatility to apply pressure to the quarterback off the edge as a true pass rusher. Aiden is currently committed to Army and I expect him to be a very successful player for them.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["386759"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386759' first='Jake' last='Harmeyer'] is another 2023 linebacker that I have been high on for a long time. He is coming off an outstanding junior season in which he finished with 98 tackles and two sacks. As a pass rusher, he shows a quick first step and uses his speed to his advantage to run by opposing offensive tackles. He plays with a very high motor and shows the ability to make plays all over the field. Once he gets to the ball, Harmeyer is a very physical tackler and does a great job of securing tackles in the open field. He is also reliable in pass coverage, showing good route recognition skills and the ability to break on the ball to break up passes. Jake doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect them to come soon as he has received a lot of college interest and has the skill set to be successful in the college game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["423659"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another member of the Cooper defense that has stood out to me is 2024 inside linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='423659' first='Jack' last='Lonaker']. He is currently our fourth ranked linebacker in the class of 2024. Lonaker is very impressive in pass coverage with the ability to get into his drops and look up routes. Once he gets to his drops, he does a great job of breaking on the ball and coming away with interceptions. Against the run, he reads his keys and takes great angles to the ball to put himself in position to make tackles. As a tackler in the open field, he explodes through contact, laying some very impressive hits. Jack doesn't currently hold any official offers but he has received a ton of college interest and definitely has the skill set to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["386765"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386765' first='Josh' last='Bowling'] is a very talented linebacker that has had a strong career at Simon Kenton. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry. Bowling has good lateral agility and flows to the ball smoothly when the play is away from him. He also has the strength and physicality to run through and shed blocks on his way to the ball carrier. As a tackler, he does a great job of running his feet on contact and securing the tackle. Josh also does a good job of timing his blitzes up the middle to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to react. He currently holds an offer from Thomas More but I expect more to come as he definitely has the potential to be a good inside linebacker at the college level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["386917"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Beechwood got themselves quite a gem in new transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='386917' first='Antonio' last='Robinson'] who just joined the team after moving from Florida. He is a very gifted athlete on both sides of the ball and is our second ranked overall player in the class of 2023. However, I believe he is at his best on defense at the outside corner spot. Robinson shows impressive physicality in press man coverage with the ability to jam receivers and knock them off their routes. He also has the speed and athleticism to open up and run with receivers in the deep passing game, and mirror their routes all over the field. When the ball is thrown his way, he shows outstanding ball skills with the ability to go up and catch interceptions at their highest point. He uses his speed after interceptions to return them for touchdowns on a regular basis. Robinson is also a very reliable tackler in the open field and isn't afraid to come down and provide support against the run. Antonio is committed to Wake Forest and I expect him to be a key piece of Beechwood's run to attempt to repeat as 2A State Champions.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Quincy Barber","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Newport","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Quincy Barber is a player that has jumped onto my radar lately. He is a very gifted defensive back that thrives out of the slot at the nickel spot. Barber impressed me a lot in his ability to read plays and come downhill as a tackler. Once a pass has been caught in the short passing game or on screen passes, he does a great job of breaking downhill and exploding through contact as a tackler. He plays with a very high motor and shows the ability to make plays all over the field. Barber also plays from the true free safety role and fills the lane very well against the run. In the passing game, Barber has the speed to turn and run with receivers in man coverage and has the reaction/ball skills to make plays on the ball. Quincy doesn't currently hold any offers but I believe that college coaches should have him on their radars as he has the skill set to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["352028"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='352028' first='Jayce' last='Hotchkiss'] is a player that I have had on my radar since early this summer. He is a long, athletic corner that has proven to be reliable in both man and zone coverage. In man coverage, he has fluid hips and is able to open up and run with receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, he shows off great ball skills with the ability to react to intercept and break up passes. He also provides good support against the run as he reads plays well and gets to the ball. Once he gets to the ball, Hotchkiss is a very reliable tackler in the open field. While Jayce doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come soon for him as he has been receiving college interest and can be a very solid player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"Adam Dunn","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"Highlands","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_11_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"To wrap up this list, I have another 2023 defensive back that has recently jumped onto my radar. Adam Dunn is a big, physical safety that has impressed me the most against the run. He does a great job of reading the play and filling the lane in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a good job of exploding through contact and exploding through contact to make sure that his presence is felt. Against the pass, he is very reliable in zone coverage and has great route recognition skills. When the ball is in the air in his zone, he reacts quickly and breaks on the ball to break up passes. He also uses his physicality to knock the ball loose if the intended receiver gets his hands on it. Adam doesn't currently hold any official offers but college coaches should be paying attention to him as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->