2023 Mid-Season Top Performers: 3A Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are a little past the midway point in the 2023 high school regular season in Kentucky, I want to take a look back at what has happened so far. With that being said, I'm going to focus on my top performers on both sides of the ball in each class from so far. After covering class 6A, 5A, and 4A, I will now turn my attention to class 3A. With that in mind, here are my top offensive performers in class 3A so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["313643"],"_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='313643' first='Cole' last='Hodge'] has continued to show that he is one of the top quarterbacks in the entire state this season. Through six games, he is the 3A passing leader, completing 131/185 passes for 1,715 yards, 24 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has a strong arm which he uses to stretch the field and lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. Hodge also has very impressive accuracy, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. He has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs as he is currently leading his team in rushing with 52 carries for 307 yards and a touchdown. Cole is committed to East Carolina where I can see him being a very successful quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["654297"],"_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 quarterback that has stood out this season is [player_tooltip player_id='654297' first='Tate' last='Rice']. He has had an outstanding 2023 season so far, completing 92/128 passes for 1,440 yards, 21 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Rice has a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to maneuver around the pocket and escape when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He also has shown good ball placement, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. Rice has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays in the run game when needed, running the ball 31 times for 285 yards and five touchdowns so far. Tate doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play quarterback somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["483869"],"_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":"My final quarterback on this list is [player_tooltip player_id='483869' first='Jackson' last='Wasik'] from Lexington Catholic. He has followed up an impressive junior year with a great start to his senior season. Through six games, Wasik has completed 101/156 passes for 1,408 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. Wasik has very impressive arm strength which he is able to use to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He has also shown the ability to make plays when under pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make tough throws on the run. Jackson has also scored three rushing touchdowns so far this season. Wasik currently holds an offer from Calumet College and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["499069"],"_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='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has had an outstanding 2023 season so far. Thomas currently leads the entire state in rushing with 142 carries for 1,466 yards and 24 touchdowns through six games. He has very impressive speed, showing the ability to burst through the running lane and simply run away from the defense. Thomas has also shown the ability to break tackles and make defenders miss once he hits the open field. He has also thrown one touchdown pass this season. Thomas also plays a key role on defense, accounting for 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Daniel doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["485015"],"_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='485015' first='Steve' last='Partin'] is another player that has been high on my radar for a while and has continued to impress this season. In just three games, Partin has carried the ball 68 times for 812 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is a physical runner that has shown the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. Once he hits the open field, Partin has shown that he has the speed to run away from the defense for long runs. Partin is also a very impressive linebacker on defense, accounting for 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks so far. Steve is committed to Yale where I can see him making a huge impact on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["331764"],"_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='331764' first='Jarren' last='Johnson'] is a player that has had a breakout year so far. He has lined up at quarterback a lot this season but he is still mainly used as a running threat. Through six games, Johnson has carried the ball 109 times for 1,011 yards and 17 touchdowns. He shows a tremendous burst of speed as a ball carrier, showing the ability to take the snap and explode through the running lane then simply run away from the defense. Johnson has also shown the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. As a passer, Johnson has thrown two touchdown passes this season. Johnson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149612' first='Dwaylon' last='Dean']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"West Carter","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149612' first='Dwaylon' last='Dean'] is a player that has jumped onto my radar this season. He is among the leading rushers in 3A, carrying the ball 110 times for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns through five games. Dean has impressive vision as a ball carrier, showing the ability to find the running lane and hit it with a sense of urgency. Once he gets through the running lane and into the open field, he has shown the ability to hit a second gear and run away from the defense. Dean has also played a key role on defense this season, accounting for 32 tackles and three tackles for loss so far. Dwaylon doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["418717"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='418717' first='Justin' last='Ruffin Jr'] has continued to prove that he is one of the top players in the state this season. Through six games, Ruffin leads 3A in receiving, catching 43 passes for 634 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a very dangerous deep threat as he is able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. Ruffin is also electric after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn short passes into big gains at any given moment. He also plays a key role on defense at corner. So far, Ruffin has 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception. Justin is committed to Army where I can see him making a big impact at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["735551"],"_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 member of the CAL passing attack that has impressed this season is [player_tooltip player_id='735551' first='Connor' last='Hodge']. Hodge has been one of the go-to targets for his brother Cole, catching 55 passes for 562 yards and nine touchdowns through the first six games. He is a very skilled route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation from opposing defensive backs. Hodge also has impressive speed which he uses to pose as a threat in the deep passing game and to get up the field to pick up yards after the catch. Connor has also been very impressive on the other side of the ball as a defensive back, accounting for 25 tackles and five interceptions so far. Hodge currently holds offers from UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky, East Carolina, Southeast Missouri State, Central Michigan, Georgia Southern, and Ball State, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["952669"],"_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 mid-season offensive top performers in 3A, I have [player_tooltip player_id='952669' first='Solomon' last='Stonebraker']. Solomon has been among the top receivers in 3A, catching 39 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns through six games. Stonebraker is an impressive route runner, showing the ability to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He also has the speed to pose as a threat in the deep passing game and has very reliable hands, showing the ability to catch passes away from his body. Stonebraker is also a dangerous returner on special teams, returning one kickoff for a touchdown this season. He has also played a key role on the defensive side of the ball, accounting for ten tackles and four interceptions so far. Solomon doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player for college coaches to keep a close eye on.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65175a040cf8b"} /-->