2022 1A Regular Season All-State Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">The 2022 high school football season has been an exciting one. There have been a lot of players that have stood out and jumped onto our radar this season in the state of Kentucky. Now that we are headed into playoff time, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top players from the regular season in each class. With that in mind, I have decided to put together my All-State teams for each individual class. After covering the offensive side of the ball already, here is my 1A All-State Team on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493869"],"_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":"Starting off my Defensive All-State team, I have the 1A leader in sacks for the regular season, [player_tooltip player_id='493869' first='Luke' last='McCubbins']. Luke is having an outstanding senior year with 14 sacks along with 50 total tackles and 17 tackles for loss. He has a quick first step off the ball from the stand up defensive end position and uses his speed to run right by opposing offensive tackles as a pass rusher.  McCubbins also plays with a very high motor, constantly working to get to the quarterback when they scramble outside the pocket.  He also has shown the ability to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball, Luke does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Luke doesn't currently have any offers reported but deserves some attention as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["495301"],"_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='495301' first='Evan' last='Biliter'] is another senior defense end that has impressed this season. He finished the regular season second in 1A in sacks with 11 while also accounting for 31 total tackles and seven tackles for loss. Biliter lines up in the stand up defensive end position and is dangerous as a pass rusher. He has impressive speed off the edge but also plays with a nice amount of bend to avoid blocks. Biliter also does a great job of reading the play and putting himself in position to make plays, whether it is against the pass or the run. Once he gets to the ball, he does a great job of exploding through contact to secure the tackle or sack. He also has shown promise on offense and special teams, showing the ability to come off the edge and block punts, but I believe he looks his best on defense. Evan also plays basketball and baseball so it remains to be seen what he will do after college but he has received interest from college football programs and has the talent to play at the next level if he chooses to pursue that route.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["493870"],"_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":"Wrapping up my defensive linemen for 1A, I have senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='493870' first='Justin' last='Popovich'] from Bethlehem. Popovich finished the regular season third in 1A with ten sacks while also accounting for 45 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also has made a big impact on offense as one of Bethlehem's top receivers but I really liked what I saw from him on the defensive side of the ball. As a pass rusher, Popovich uses his quick pass rush moves to get by offensive tackles before they can get their hands on him. He also has shown the strength to fight straight through blocks when necessary. Once he gets past his blocker, he uses his speed to run down the quarterback and secure the sack. Against the run, Popovich does a good job of reading the play quickly and taking the right angles to the ball to put himself in a position to make tackles in the open field. Justin currently holds one Division II offer from Lock Haven but I wouldn't be surprised to see more come as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball in college.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["145764"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='145764' first='Carson' last='Wright'] is a linebacker that I've had high on my radar for a while now as he is our seventh ranked linebacker in the class of 2023. Wright has had an impressive senior season so far, sitting at fifth in 1A in total tackles with 1o2 along with 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one interception. He is the true leader of Pikeville's defense and plays with a high football IQ, showing the ability to read the play and react quickly to put himself in a position to make a play. Wright does a great job of flowing to the football and fighting through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Carson currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Pikeville, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more come his way as he has the talent to be a very productive linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["495304"],"_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":"Next up on my All-State team is the 1A leader in total tackles, [player_tooltip player_id='495304' first='Landon' last='Colvin']. Colvin is having an outstanding junior year with 120 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He does a great job of reading his keys and explodes through his gap in a hurry before offensive linemen have a chance to react. Once he shoots through his gap, he runs his feet through contact without breaking stride to secure the tackle and not allow for any additional yards to be gained. Against the pass, he does a good job of waiting for a lane to open and timing his blitzes perfectly to get to the quarterback. I also really like the high motor that Landon plays with, showing the ability to run all over the field to make tackles. While Landon doesn't currently hold any offers, he will be a player to watch going into his final season as he has been receiving interest from multiple programs and has the talent to be a very good inside linebacker in college.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["496965"],"_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='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] is an underclassman linebacker that has jumped onto my radar this season. He had a very impressive sophomore regular season, finishing second in 1A with 117 total tackles along with 15 tackles for loss and four sacks. He lines up as a true inside linebacker and does a tremendous job of shooting his gap with a sense of urgency against the run. Once he gets through his gap and to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact to secure the tackle. He also does a good job of scraping to the ball when the play is away from him and making tackles in the open field. Against the pass, Cowan does a great job of timing his blitzes to shoot through the gap before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to react. Preston doesn't hold any offers yet but will definitely be a player to watch over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["371230"],"_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":"Over the summer, [player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] was a player who stood out to me on the Kentucky Future Stars All Star Team. Since then, he has continued to impress in his transition into high school football. Tarter started as a true freshman at inside linebacker for Bracken County and finished the regular season third in 1A in total tackles with 111 tackles in just nine games, leading 1A in tackles per game at 12.3. Tarter has shown very good instincts for a player his age, showing the ability to read the play quickly and put himself in a position to make a play. Once he finds the ball, he comes downhill in a hurry, taking great angles to get there. Tarter does a great job of exploding through contact with a ton of physicality to make his presence felt on every hit. Daulton will be a player to watch as he continues to develop over the next few years and I believe he could turn into a high-caliber prospect by the time his senior year comes around.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["497066"],"_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":"The first defensive back on my All-State team is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='497066' first='Elijah' last='Webb'] from Paris. Webb has had an outstanding season so far, finishing the regular season tied for the most interceptions in 1A with seven. He also has 43 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack on the season. He has the speed to turn and run with receivers in the deep passing game. When the ball is thrown his way, he shows tremendous ball skills, timing the pass and breaking on it at the right moment to come away with the interception. Webb has also shown impressive speed after the interception, returning one for a touchdown this year. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Webb will be a player to watch as he continues to develop over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["495302"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='495302' first='Max' last='Johnson'] has been a do-it-all type of player for Hazard this season as he has been one of their top weapons on offense and best defensive back on defense. While I could've put him on either side of the ball for this All-State team, I really liked what I saw from him on defense. Johnson finished the season tied with Webb at the top of the 1A interceptions list with seven along with 69 total tackles. He lines up at free safety and does a great job of sitting back in zone coverage and reading route combinations. When the ball is in the air, he shows the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and make plays on the ball at its highest point. Johnson also does a good job of filling the lane to provide support against the run and on screen passes to make tackles in the open field. Max is also a talented baseball player so it remains to be seen what he will decide to do after college but he has received interest from football programs and has the talent to play at the next level if he decides to pursue it.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["495303"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Another senior defensive back that has an impressive final season so far is [player_tooltip player_id='495303' first='Andrew' last='Watkins'] from Nicholas County. Watkins finished the regular season sixth in 1A with five interceptions in nine games. He also accounted for 41 total tackles on the season. Watkins plays free safety and does a great job of reading the receivers and quarterback on the back end to put himself in a position to make plays. When the ball is in the air, he breaks on the ball quickly and has shown the ability to make plays on the ball at its highest point. I couldn't find any offers for Watkins but he should be receiving interest from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["381938"],"_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":"Last up on my list is a player that has stood out to me since this summer on both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='381938' first='Noah' last='Wallace'] has had an impressive season both as a ball carrier and a defensive back but I really liked what I've seen from him on defense so far. He plays the strong safety position for Raceland and has had a solid junior year in that spot, finishing the regular season with 59 total tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions. I really like his ability to provide run support as he does a great job of coming downhill and filling the running lane. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he runs his feet through contact to secure the tackle in the open field. In pass coverage, he shows the ability to read the quarterback and put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball is in the air, he times his breaks perfectly to catch interceptions in stride and has shown dangerous speed after the interception, returning one for a touchdown this season. While Noah doesn't currently hold any offers, he will be a player to watch going into his final season as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball in college.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-652ff5559a7d0"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">Honorable Mention:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Defensive Lineman: Camden Henderson-Reed (Louisville Holy Cross, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Linebacker: [player_tooltip player_id='386755' first='Devin' last='Derossett'] (Pikeville, 2023); Tyler Ballard (Louisville Holy Cross, 2023); Logan Thomas (Hazard, 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back: Jules Farrow (Raceland, 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->