2022 Lexington All-City Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">With the 2022 high school football season behind us, it is now time to take a look back at a very exciting season. The city of Lexington has been growing in talent on the football field and there was an abundance of it on display this past season. With that being said, I have decided to focus on the best players in the city from the past season for my 2022 Lexington All-City Team. After covering the offense , here are my top players in Lexington on the defensive side of the ball from the 2022 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386160"],"_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='386160' first='Jamarrion' last='Harkless'] came into the 2022 season as one of my top players in the class of 2023 in Kentucky and he continued to impress during his senior season. Although he played limited snaps due to blowout wins throughout most of the regular season, he made a huge impact when on the field, finishing with 25 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. Harkless is a physical defensive lineman that uses his explosiveness and strength to bull rush straight through opposing offensive linemen to create disruption into the backfield. He does a great job of shedding blocks quickly and getting to the ball to make tackles. Harkless has also shown the ability to play defensive end and use his speed to win off the edge as a pass rusher. Jamarrion is committed to Purdue where I see him becoming a key piece of their defensive line unit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["386161"],"_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":"Joining Harkless on the Broncos' defensive line was [player_tooltip player_id='386161' first='Jalen' last='Hand']. Much like Harkless, Hand had a great senior year despite limited snaps in a lot of games. He finished the season with 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Hand is a dominant run stopper, using his strength to hold his ground against opposing offensive linemen while also showing the ability to drive them into the backfield to cause disruption. He has also shown the ability to shed blocks quickly and run all over the field to make tackles. As a pass rusher, Hand uses his speed to his advantage to blow by opposing offensive linemen. Hand is committed to Western Kentucky where I see him developing into a key piece of their defensive line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["408042"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='408042' first='Jahvon' last='Frazier'] is a defensive lineman that I've had high on my radar for a while now. Frazier played a key role in a very successful season for the Defenders, finishing his junior year with 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and one fumble recovery. He is a very dangerous pass rusher off the edge as he is able to use his speed to blow by offensive tackles. Frazier also does a great job of exploding out of his stance and driving through blocks on his way to the quarterback and shedding them once he gets into the pocket. Against the run, Frazier does a great job of reading the play and using his high motor to run all over the field to make tackles in the open field. Jahvon currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Southeast Missouri State but I expect more to come his way going into his senior year as he has received a ton of interest from college programs and is a Division I caliber talent.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["386164"],"_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":"Another defensive end that I've been high on for a while that continued to impress this season is Henry Clay's [player_tooltip player_id='386164' first='Kyan' last='Miller']. Miller had an outstanding senior year, finishing with 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries. He returned one of those fumble recoveries for a touchdown. Miller plays with a very high motor, exploding out of his stance and using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. He has also shown a nice variety of pass rush moves to defeat blocks on his way to the quarterback. Against the run, he has shown the ability to read to the play and get to the ball quickly. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Miller explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Kyan is committed to Austin Peay where I see him becoming a key piece of their defense.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["381930"],"_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='381930' first='Major' last='Brown'] is a linebacker that jumped onto my radar quickly this season. Brown had an outstanding junior year, finishing with 136 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and one interception. He is a physical inside linebacker that does a great job of reading his keys and playing downhill. Brown does a great job of flowing to the ball and fighting through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a nice amount of physicality. Brown has also showed the ability to look up routes and make plays on the ball in pass coverage. Major doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way going into his senior year as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["386753"],"_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='386753' first='Nikalos' last='Dixon'] is a linebacker that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Dixon had a very strong senior year, finishing with 92 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, and two forced fumbles. He plays inside linebacker and does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball. Once he sees the running lane open, he comes downhill in a hurry and meets the ball carrier in the gap, running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Dixon also plays with a high motor and shows the ability to open up and take good angles to the ball when the play is away from him to run down the ball carrier from the backside. Nikalos currently holds offers from Kentucky State, Centre, and Union, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a very productive college linebacker.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["386197"],"_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 senior linebacker that stood out to me this season is Lexington Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='386197' first='Hayden' last='Dawahare']. This was Hayden's first full season at linebacker after transferring schools and switching positions from quarterback. He thrived in his new role in his senior season, finishing with 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception. Hayden played as an off-ball outside linebacker and did a great job of reading the play and reacting quickly to put himself in a position to make a play. He plays with a very high motor, showing the ability to run all over the field to make tackles. Dawahare also showed the ability to rush off the edge against the pass, using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles. He also showed that he is reliable in pass coverage, showing the ability to read route combinations and put himself in a position to make a play on the ball. Hayden recently picked up an offer from UT Martin and also holds a couple of Preferred Walk-On opportunities, and I can see more offers coming his way soon as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["386898"],"_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":"In his final season of high school football, [player_tooltip player_id='386898' first='Ty' last='Bryant'] continued to show that he is one of the best football players in the entire state. Bryant played a huge role on both sides of the ball for the Broncos but I still like him best on the defensive side of the ball. When on the field, Bryant performed very well at safety, finishing the year with 22 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. He has a true center fielder's mentality on the back end, showing the ability to read the play and cover a ton of ground quickly to make a play on the ball. Bryant times his breaks perfectly to come away with interceptions without breaking stride. He also does a great job of providing run support, filling the lane and showing that he is a reliable tackler in the open field. Bryant also played a big role on offense at running back and returned three punts for touchdowns on special teams. Bryant's play in the 5A State Championship Game earned him MVP honors. Ty is committed to stay at home and play for Kentucky where I see him developing into a key player down the road.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["386923"],"_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":"Joining Bryant on the back end of the Frederick Douglass secondary was senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='386923' first='Isaiah' last='Kenney']. Kenney had an outstanding 2022 season, finishing the year with 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, and seven interceptions. He does a great job of reading both the route combinations and the quarterback which helps him put himself in a position to make a play. Once the ball is in the air, Kenney does a great job of breaking on it with perfect timing to either come away with the interception or break up the pass. When he makes the interception, he shows the speed to take it the other way, returning two interceptions for touchdowns this season. Kenney also does a solid job of providing run support, coming downhill and making tackles in the open field. Isaiah holds offers from Kentucky Christian, Palmetto Prep, Findlay, and Kentucky, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to succeed at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["408049"],"_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 member of the Broncos' secondary that stood out to me this season was junior corner [player_tooltip player_id='408049' first='Jeremiah' last='Lowe']. Lowe proved to be one of the better lock down corners on the outside and finished with 15, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He is very impressive in man coverage, showing the ability to open up and run with receivers, staying in their hip pocket to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, Lowe does a great job of fighting across the receiver's body to break up the pass or come away with the interception. Lowe also does a good job of providing run support, reading the play and coming downhill quickly to provide run support. Jeremiah currently holds offers from West Virginia, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, Western Michigan, Miami (OH), and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a Power 5 caliber talent.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["408040"],"_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":"Wrapping up my Lexington All-City Defense, I have another talented junior defensive back. [player_tooltip player_id='408040' first='JT' last='Haskins'] continued to proved that he is one of the most talented players in the state, finishing the year with 46 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions. He is a ball hawk at free safety, showing the ability to read the play and cover a lot of ground quickly to make a play on the ball. Haskins times his breaks perfectly to catch interceptions in stride and return them for big gains the other way. He also showed a willingness to fill the lane and make tackles in the open field against the run. Haskins also played a key role on offense as one of the Defenders' leading receivers and returned one kickoff for a touchdown on special teams. JT currently holds offers from Marshall, Louisville, Tennessee Tech, Akron,  Eastern Kentucky, and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber talent that could play multiple positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d2af43d25aa"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Honorable Mention:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>Defensive Lineman: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423622' first='Chase' last='Couch'] (LCA, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='422904' first='Darion' last='Neal'] (Frederick Douglass, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='408041' first='Jason' last='Hocker'] (Bryan Station, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='422901' first='Mason' last='Hayslett'] (Dunbar, 2023); Logan Julian (Tates Creek, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>Defensive Back:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='422905' first='Terrion' last='Hicks'] (Frederick Douglass, 2024); Sam Clements (Lexington Catholic, 2024); Max Bertrand (Lexington Catholic, 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->