Defensive Players to Watch for: KHSA Class 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our last post of the state division class series, we introduced the final 3 division classes we will list for our top prospects to be watching for this upcoming 2023 season. In that, we looked at some valuable offensive recruits who not only have proven themselves to be able to play at the next level but look to further solidify themselves as some of the most elite statewide. With that being said, today's post will be listing some defensive prospects to watch for coming from the KHSA 4A state division class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Leber","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Oldham High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Noah Leber is a magnificent MLB prospect that specializes in putting pressure on the QB and making critical defensive stops at a consistently high rate. Leber, a 6'0 225lb 2024 grad from North Oldham High School had a terrific 2022 season as he recorded 144 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions in 12 games played. Leber excels at precisely reading the offensive schemes before the ball is snapped. Moreover, Leber is highly effective at anticipating the movement of the offense and pinning down the ball carrier before they can get to their intended lane. Along with his detection of offensive schemes is his ability to protect a wide perimeter of space when playing zone. Noah is athletically dynamic in that he can quickly accelerate to get to where the play is enacted while also building up his strength to pin down the runner. Leber's lower body strength is superior to most prospects at his position as he never allows forward momentum to be produced by the opposing runner. Once a runner gets in front of Leber, they have no chance of going around him or pushing through him. Noah makes it an extreme hassle for many offenses to handle, and I believe the same will be said at the college level. As of now, there has been no news on offers/recruiting interests from schools, but I believe Noah has the talent and leadership capabilities to play at the next level.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ja8Mru0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["653505"],"_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='653505' first='Hunter' last='Griffie'] is another MLB prospect who excels at covering lots of ground in zone coverage and making defensive stops across the gridiron. Griffie, a 6'1 205lb 2024 grad from Perry County Central High School had a great 2022 season as he recorded 99 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 9 games played (11 tackles per game). Griffie is fantastic at spreading his defensive perimeter, especially when playing zone coverage. Based on his initial reads of the offensive schemes and once the ball is in play, Griffie can quickly get to the area of play to make the defensive stop. When a pass is thrown in his zone, Hunter is great at putting lots of physical contact and forcing incompletions. What I like most about Hunter is his ability to communicate with his defense. Since Hunter is precise on his QB reads and has outstanding knowledge of the certain scenarios the offense could partake in the game, he makes sure to always keep proper alignment with his teammates and ensure they are all on the same page. Furthermore, Griffie helps reposition certain players, so they make it much more difficult for the opposing offense to drive past the defense. Hunter possesses lots of game IQ and communication skills that are vital to being a superior recruit for the MLB position. As of now, there are no interests announced by collegiate schools, but I expect that can change by the end of the 2024 season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2GLQAsu0022u003eTape: 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":"Tytus Brown","_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":"5'9u0022","_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":"Franklin-Simpson 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":"Tytus Brown is a DE recruit that is skilled at getting past the offensive line and putting pressure on the QB. Brown, a 5'9 193lb 2024 grad from Franklin-Simpson High School had a great 2022 season as he recorded 7 defensive sacks in 11 games played (9th in state 4A class in sacks). Brown is exceptional at winning 1v1 battles with opposing offensive linemen. Tytus has a lot of different maneuvers in his arsenal that enable him to mix up to beat out the same group of O-Linemen every snap. Once Tytus gets past, his great lateral quickness enables him to make sharp turns to keep up with any mobile QB and take them down. There are even times when Tytus can bulldoze through the opposing offensive lineman to get to the QB. Although Tytus may not be as big as some other defensive end prospects in his class, his body strength not only matches those other prospects but exceeds them. Because of this, Brown has found lots of success pinning down QBs and/or other ball carriers with ease, along with being able to win double-team matchups against opposing guards. As of this summer, Brown has one collegiate offer and has been intending numerous collegiate camps. I believe his value will continue to grow by the end of the 2023 season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2L51L2u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["418719"],"_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='418719' first='Zander' last='Curry'] is a highly talented athlete that can outperform expectations on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. However, Zander truly shines at the free safety position when on defense. Curry, a 5'11 180lb 2024 grad from Corbin High School had a great season defensively as he caught 7 interceptions in 15 games played (2nd in the state). The first aspect of Curry's game that stands out right away is his aggressive playstyle. Although playing the FS position, Zander is always looking to find a way to aid in tackling ball carriers even when it is a passing play. Moreover, Curry is one of the hardest-hitting FS prospects in the state 4A class which tremendously helps his defense make stops. Along with his skills at tackling is his ability to read receiver routes and offensive schemes. Curry is typically successful at positioning himself at the right spot before the ball has been thrown to either try to deflect the incoming pass or try to intercept it. Regardless of the outcome, Curry can prevent critical offensive plays from occurring, making him an asset for any defense to have. Right now, Curry has received one collegiate offer and I expect more will follow from that initial offer by the end of this upcoming football season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JKgaau0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["313667"],"_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='313667' first='Yzir' last='Gray'] is an aggressive and smart MLB prospect who consistently makes impactful defensive stops for his defensive squad. Gray, a 5'10 185lb 2024 grad from Warren Central High School had an excellent 2022 season as he recorded 76 total tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 11 games played. Yzir is great at anticipating the run and setting himself up in good spots to force a loss of yards on the play. Gray also possesses stellar tackling mechanics which enable him to always hit opposing ball carriers in their weak spots. Because of this, Gray has been able to pin them down much easier and even force a few fumbles. Lastly, Yzir's lower body strength is superior to many linebackers in his position. Despite some being bigger than Yzir, his strength exceeds many other prospects who possess a bigger body frame. Yzir's body strength has helped him make extremely difficult tackles off difficult angles. The athleticism and on-field intellect make Yzir a premier prospect in the 4A state division class. As of this summer, Gray has been participating in numerous collegiate camps and continuing to build more interest from other recruiters. I believe he will be receiving offers as the 2023 season plays through.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JvC4iu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c1aa457a614"} /-->