Defensive Players to Watch for: KHSA Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my last post, I listed a few talented offensive players to keep an eye out for in the Kentucky Class 1A division. Today, we will be doing the same except looking at only defensive prospects. As I stated before, every division level of football in Kentucky never runs short of talent in any positional category. That is what makes the state of Kentucky unique for finding high-level football talent. In this post, I will be listing a few high-level defensive prospects who play high school ball in the Class 1A division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495304"],"_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":"Landon is an excellent defensive asset for Campbellsville high school who specializes in creating effective defensive pressure off blitz rushes and reading the offensive play designs before the ball is snapped. Landon, a 5'10 195lb 2024 grad, had an amazing 2022 campaign as he recorded 135 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 11 games played. The first aspect of Landon's game that amazes me is his insanely quick reflexes and reaction time. Whether he is playing zone coverage or blitzing, he can react the instant the ball releases from the center's hands to snap the football. Because of this, Landon is always able to quickly create pressure on the QB or react to a change in the trajectory of the football when thrown near his zone. Another trait I like is that Landon can prevent losing hold of his assigned target and does not let a player slip by him. If Landon grabs a hold of a ball carrier, certainly that runner is going to be brought down and not move any further. This physical aggression and stamina to maintain hold of a player is a crucial game-changer for any defense when it comes to not giving up extra yards after initial contact. As of now, Landon has been receiving camp invites and interests from collegiate schools and I expect this to carry on during the 2023 fall season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JgVyMu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["653481"],"_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='653481' first='Cain' last='Grim'] is one of the better defensive prospects in Class 1A ball at consistently making defensive stops and limiting excess yards gained by the opposing offense every time he is on the field. Grim, a 5'11 180lb 2024 grad from Paintsville High School, produced a great 2022 season for them by recording 112 total tackles (68 unassisted) and 3 tackles for loss in 10 games played. Like some of the other top linebacker prospects in the bluegrass state, Cain is equipped with fantastic on-field IQ and defensive awareness that he uses to completely exploit every offensive snap. Cain can always adapt to the positioning of the offense and set himself in the right place to block out incoming weak holes in the defense to prevent running gaps to open. On passing routes, Cain can read the QBs intended target before he throws the ball and can create defensive pressure once it's thrown. Grim also possesses quick acceleration to get across the field to assist in making a tackle, even taking over for making the defensive stop. These traits make [player_tooltip player_id='653481' first='Cain' last='Grim'] a difficult player to face against as an offense and I believe many recruiters will find that to be valuable in him.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KEpEMu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Henry Goering","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Bishop Brossart High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Henry Goering is a defensive end prospect who is equipped with quick acceleration and dynamic hand skills to beat his assigned offensive lineman on most snaps. Goering, a 6'0 190lb 2024 grad from Bishop Brossart High School had a great 2022 season as he tied 4th in class 1A ball in total defensive sacks at 8. Henry's quick reaction timing to the ball being snapped enables him to instantly slip past the opposing lineman before he can fully react to put pressure on the QB. Goering's strength u0026amp; stamina are nearly unmatched for most offensive linemen he faces every game. When it comes to his hand skills, Henry can mimic the movements made by NFL DEs to help them gain leverage on their assigned OL and drive past them with lots of force to sack the QB. Along with his hands being used for leverage is his ability to react to the ball being thrown. Goering can react to the ball and deflect it quickly before it travels further past the line of scrimmage. As of May 2023, there has been no reported collegiate interest or offers found for Goering, but I believe that will change for him. With one year left of high school ball, just having the right audience can generate interest for the young man as he certainly has the skills to play at the next level.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JhH0fu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_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":"Michael Wortham","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Holy Cross (Louisville) High School","_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":"Michael is a phenomenal defensive athlete that can make game-changing plays for his defense in a variety of ways. Wortham, a 5'9 180lb LB 2025 grad playing for Holy Cross High School Louisville, finished 7th in the state 1A division with 7 defensive sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a few interceptions in 13 games played. Michael's reaction time and quickness off the snap is the primary reason why he was so successful in sacking QBs this past season. When running a blitz, Michael can slip by the opposing offensive line without much of an issue as he can burst through the opening as the ball is being snapped before the o-line can fully react to the shift. Another great trait using his speed and amazing lateral quickness is his ability to cover the entire field.  Wortham can assist in taking down ball carriers and stopping plays all over the field since he is fast enough to hit the spot every time and reads the QB well before he repositions himself. The aspect I like the most about his game is the competitiveness and hustle Michael gives on every play. Although not the biggest linebacker prospect in Kentucky, Wortham uses his strategy, passion, and effort to make the most critical plays when they count. Especially when the ball is loose or an opportunity to commit a defensive turnover is in place, Michael is ALWAYS the first person there to initiate the attempt. This style of play can go a long way for his football career and recruiters should certainly take note of that. With 2 years left of high school eligibility, the odds are in favor of Michael Wortham.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Kja1Su0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["497066"],"_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='497066' first='Elijah' last='Webb'] is a valuable free safety prospect that can enforce defensive turnovers and help make defensive stops across the gridiron. Webb, a 6'2 172lb 2025 grad from Paris High School, tied for the entire state 1A class with 8 recorded interceptions, placed 1st in total net yards after the interception with 226, and returned an interception for a touchdown in 12 games played. Like his linebacker teammates, Elijah has been able to develop incredible field vision and QB reads that enable him to place himself in the right place to put pressure on the intended receiver target before it gets to him. Not only that, but Webb can even catch a lot of interceptions because of this tactic, along with the fact that Elijah's freakish athleticism allow him to get up high for throws and still come down with them despite lots of contact from the intended receiver. Even if it is a throw that is going across the other side of the field, Webb can detect the set play early and align himself with the trajectory of the throw to make it easy for him to make the pick. I also want to mention that Webb has great skills running with the football as well since he can produce sharp jabs that can create space off opposing tackles. This helped him gain lots of yards after the initial interception. As of this spring, there has not been officially reported interest from collegiate schools but expect this to change within at least the next 2 years for Elijah.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KXpyvu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6477e8870c45b"} /-->