Top Performers of The 2022 Season: Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the 2022 football campaign has ended, it is time to look back at some of the state's top-performing players. As I have previously stated many times before the season started, Kentucky houses an overabundance of football talent ranging in all positions. After this season, that statement stays true and can be further elevated to "Kentucky houses top football talent ranging all positions." Today, I will be starting a new series listing the top players for each position during the 2022 football season, starting with defensive linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490012"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysisu003c/strongu003e: Austin had an unforgettable sophomore season as he led the entire state of Kentucky in total sacks with 21. The North Laurel Defensive End brutally dominated the opposing offense every game, constantly putting pressure on the quarterback and sacking them as well. The unique trait that helps Johnson dominate is the brute strength that helps him bulldoze over the opposing guards, which enables him to put pressure on and sack the QB. Along with that, Johnson inherits great hand skills that allow him to drive past a guard if they are bigger. If this kid continues to produce state-leading sack numbers like he did last season, look to see him signing papers to a college in the near future.rnrnu003cstrongu003eEnd of Season: u003c/strongu003eAustin finished the 2022 season by finishing 1st statewide in total sacks recording 23 total. The Junior did not disappoint this season as he improved his overall sack number from his sophomore year (21 total sacks in 2021). Austin's pure strength and lightweight footwork help ease him off the line of scrimmage and quickly get to the quarterback. The North Laurel defensive end makes the game look way too easy every time he steps foot on the field. With only 1 reported DI school interested in him, I expect many more to start drawing interest in the young stud. I believe he will continue to flourish his game for his 2023 senior season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15064804/624866873452ed06d0ba0a8au0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["287560"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysisu003c/strongu003e: Byron is a menace to opposing offensive linemen as an edge rusher. The junior Defensive End recently tied 2nd in the state for total sacks recorded (15.5 sacks). What makes Byron nearly impossible to block is his hand skills and ability to push off the opposing lineman with ease. Many notable NFL star defensive ends primarily create space by using their hands to push off the opposing guards. For Byron, he can gain leverage and beat low blocks with his incredible hand skills. Along with that, Byron is pretty quick off his feet which allows him to get to the quarter more ack quicker. Keep an eye out for u003cspan class=u0022pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eByron Mayu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e to continue causing pressure on opposing offenses this fall.rnrnAt the end of the fall season, Byron finished with the most total sacks in the state 5A class and finished 3rd statewide with 17. Byron continued to impress this season for Rowan County's defense. By looking at some of the significant plays he made this season, I can already tell he has further developed his game. Byron can get quicker off the line to put pressure on the QB and also inherited remarkably quick reflexes on some plays. Byron and the Rowan County team (4-6) will face off against Boyle County (8-2) this Friday.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2HuCGWu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["386162"],"_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":"Arguably one of the top defensive prospects in the state, senior [player_tooltip player_id='386162' first='Saadiq' last='Clements'] came in 2nd statewide for total sacks at 21, sitting behind [player_tooltip player_id='490012' first='Austin' last='Johnson']'s 23. Before even watching this kid play, people can already presume that he would be a purely dominant football player due to his size. Standing at 6'4 weighing 265 lbs, Clements is a wrecking ball toward the opposing offensive line. Play after play he is shown throwing down a guard like it was nothing, and with his quick acceleration off the line he can outrun any guard and catch up to the ball carrier. It's difficult to name anyone who can stand a chance against Saadiq on the line for an entire game. As of now, he is fully committed to the University of Purdue, and I expect him to shine for them in a competitive Big 10 Conference.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JwTkru0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["490005"],"_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='490005' first='Mitchell' last='Toney'] had a fantastic year being one of the lead tackles for the powerhouse Trinity High School team, as he ended up 8th in total statewide tackles with 13. Like [player_tooltip player_id='386162' first='Saadiq' last='Clements'] above, [player_tooltip player_id='490005' first='Mitchell' last='Toney'] is known for his tall physique and strength that is hard to match with any statewide tackle. Mitchell can drive past the offensive line in numerous amount of ways. One way that he does a lot is that since he possesses terrific hand skills, it helps enable him to push off the opposing guards to reach the quarterback as quickly as possible. Besides that, his pure strength u0026amp; tough playstyle overwhelm opposing guards nearly every snap. I can see Mitchell dominating more guards as he did for Trinity in college ball.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JKTvbu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Corey Stallworth","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Hopkinsville High School ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Corey Stallworth had an incredible season for the Hopkinsville Football Team, placing 4th statewide with 16 total sacks for the season. The common theme for many of these defensive linemen is that their big size and strength will be what sets them apart from the ordinary defensive tackle. Corey, a 6'4 215lb defensive end, is much like the other big-time defensive tackles that can use their overall strength to outmaneuver the offensive line to put pressure on the QB. Along with that, however, Corey has an insane ability to time his blitz rushes perfectly so he is already putting pressure on the offense right after the ball was snapped. With that type of talent, I honestly do not know what the offense could do to stop that. Corey is a true talent that I hope to see playing for a collegiate team and dominating all the same.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JrPewu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6388317193671"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Honorable Mentions</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='423621' first='Xavier' last='Campbell'] | 6'0,230lbs. Class of 2024 | Beechwood High School, KY | <a href="https://t.co/YHJDMOiNgr" data-type="URL" data-id="https://t.co/YHJDMOiNgr">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='381923' first='Tay'Shaun' last='Linton'] | 6'2, 240lbs. Class of 2024 | Trigg County High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15265996/637ea1913df58405202c9d09" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15265996/637ea1913df58405202c9d09">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='386166' first='Oryend' last='Fisher'] | 6'6, 210lbs. Class of 2023 | Great Crossing High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12970444/6373b9a4c11a4404dca80507" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12970444/6373b9a4c11a4404dca80507">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='287563' first='Josh' last='Thornton'] | 6'3,220lbs. Class of 2023 | Boyd County High School, KY | <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JAMaq" data-type="URL" data-id="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JAMaq">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='386175' first='Peyton' last='Taylor'] | 6'1,225lbs. Class of 2023 | Logan County High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12495990/62052b4490ef30127469fd7f" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12495990/62052b4490ef30127469fd7f">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->