2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football season is in full swing in the state of Kentucky as we have now had two full weeks of regular season action. Week 2 gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here are my top defensive performances in the state of Kentucky from Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373040"],"_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='373040' first='Tucker' last='Roth'] is a player that jumped out to me last season and continued to impress this past week. Roth played a huge role in his team's Week 2 win over Bullitt East. Tucker lines up at inside linebacker and showed a great ability to read his keys and get downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier to make tackles in the open field on Saturday, finishing with 19 total tackles. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing with a sack. Roth also made a big play on special teams, blocking a kick in Saturday's game. Tucker currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber linebacker prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["401710"],"_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":"Another linebacker that stood out to me this past week was [player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] from Ryle. Savage played a key role in Ryle's win over Conner, finishing the game with 18 tackles. The sophomore linebacker did a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball in a hurry, taking perfect angles to get there. Once he got to the ball carrier, Savage showed that he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Jacob also played a key role on offense, scoring one rushing touchdown in Friday's game. Jacob currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a high caliber prospect with three years to continue to develop","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["502745"],"_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='502745' first='Demauriah' last='Brown'] is a player that I could've put on both sides of the ball for my Week 2 Top Performers as he impressed in every phase of the game this past week. On defense, Brown played a key role in Boyle County's secondary during their big win over Lexington Christian Academy. Brown was very impressive in pass coverage, showing the ability to break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the game with two interceptions, along with six total tackles. Brown also played a key role on offense, throwing one touchdown pass and catching one while also returning a kickoff return for a touchdown. Demauriah currently holds offers from West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way soon as he is a very special talent.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["523030"],"_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 electric athlete that stood out to me this past week was [player_tooltip player_id='523030' first='Santana' last='Crayton'] from Pleasure Ridge Park. Crayton played a key role in PRP's victory over Bullitt East. While he shines on both sides of the ball, Crayton stood out the most on defense this past week. Santana was very impressive in the secondary against Bullitt East, showing great ball skills. He finished the game with three interceptions. Crayton also showed the ability to make plays after the interception, returning two for touchdowns. Santana currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect that could play multiple positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["493889"],"_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='493889' first='Keondre' last='Weathers'] is another defensive prospect that I've had my eye on for a while now that continued to impress this past week. Weathers played a key role in Campbellsville's win over Casey County on Friday. The senior defensive lineman was very disruptive against the run, using his strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he got to the ball carrier, he showed that he is a very reliable tackler in the open field, finishing the game with 13 tackles and six tackles for loss. Keondre also showed some ability as a pass rusher, finishing Friday's game with two sacks. While Keondre doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Jarvis Starks-Scott","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Webster County","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Jarvis Starks-Scott is a player that caught my attention this past week. The senior helped lead Webster County to a victory over Butler County on Friday night. Starks was very impressive in the secondary for the Trojans, coming away with two interceptions. He returned both of those interceptions for touchdowns. Starks also showed the ability to make plays against the run, finishing the game with five tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. Jarvis also finished returned one kickoff for a touchdown and scored one rushing touchdown. Starks doesn't currently hold any offers and is also an impressive basketball player so it remains to be seen what his future holds but he has the talent to play football at the next level if he chooses to pursue that path.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["653371"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='653371' first='Sam' last='Clements'] is a player that I've had on my radar for a while now that continued to impress this past week. Clements played a huge role in Lexington Catholic's shutout win over Madison Central on Saturday. On defense, Clements was very impressive in the secondary. He showed the ability to make plays on the ball, coming away with two interceptions. After the interception, he showed the speed and athleticism to take the ball the other way, returning one for a touchdown. Clements also played a key role on offense, catching two passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Sam doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that college coaches should keep an eye on during his senior year.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='952645' first='Jacob' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"Knox Central ","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Knox Central","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='952645' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] is another defensive back that stood out to me this past week. Smith played a key role in his team's Week 2 win over Williamsburg. Smith lined up at safety and did a great job of reading the quarterback and route combinations to put himself in a position to make plays on the ball. Once the ball was in the air, he did a great job of attacking it at its highest point, coming away with three interceptions. Jacob currently holds an offer from Union College and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["735553"],"_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":"Another player that stood out to me on the defensive side of the ball this past week was [player_tooltip player_id='735553' first='Brenan' last='Griffin']. Griffin helped lead Hart County to a Week 2 victory over LaRue County. Brenan lines up at linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has shown the ability to finish his tackles with a ton of physicality in the open field. He finished Friday's game with 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. Griffin doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["401715"],"_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":"To wrap up my top defensive players from Week 2, I have [player_tooltip player_id='401715' first='Juelz' last='Davila'] from South Oldham. Davila played a huge role in South Oldham's shutout victory over Nelson County. Juelz lines up at safety where he is very impressive in pass coverage on the back end of the South Oldham secondary. On Saturday, he came away with an interception and returned it for a very impressive 102-yard touchdown. He also showed the ability to fill the lane and provide support against the run, finishing the game with 12 tackles. Juelz doesn't currently hold any tackles but he deserves some attention 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_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ee7193c1aef"} /-->