Defensive Players to Watch for: KHSA Class 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last time, we looked at some highly talented offensive prospects from the 6A state division. The narrative stays the same: Kentucky produces a high volume of football talent across all different positions. No matter what school or region you play at, there is going to be a balanced abundance of talent. Today, we are going to finish up this content series by listing some talented defensive prospects from the 6A division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316808"],"_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='316808' first='Davon' last='Rudolph'] is one of the highest-performing defensive prospects in class 6A ball this season. Rudolph, a 6'0 195lbs OLB 2024 grad from Ballard High School, has recorded 54 total tackles and 4 tackles for loss in only 4 games played (13.5 tackles per game). What is astonishing about Rudolph's play is how successful he has been at reacting right at the snap of every play. Before the ball gets snapped, Davon is great at reading the alignment of the offense so he can position himself at the right spot to prevent a big conversion. Once the ball is snapped, Rudolph is already at full speed charging towards the ball carrier. No matter if he is playing pass rush or zone coverage, Rudolph seems to be everywhere on the field to make that defensive stop. As of now, Rudolph has received some interest from recruiters, and I expect him to find a new home at the next level by the end of this season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LYiT7u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149579' first='Travis' last='Moten']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Fern Creek High School ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149579' first='Travis' last='Moten'] is another defensive prospect currently having a top-tier season. Moten, a 6'5 238lbs DE 2025 grad from Fern Creek High School, has recorded 37 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks in only 5 games played. Moten is one of the most feared pass rushers in the Bluegrass state this season. Travis can beat out the opposing guard in a variety of ways and mechanics, but what seems to be unmatched by almost all is his strength. While he is one of the taller DE prospects in the state, his upper body strength and leg drive make him an unfair matchup for most opposing blockers. Moten's hand skills are also great as he can slip past blockers with ease once the ball is snapped. Lastly, Moten has accelerated quickly off the edge further enabling his strong force towards the opposing QB. It is a nightmare for opposing offenses to see him on the field, but an amazing show to watch for recruiters. With the rest of this year and all next year as well, Moten will continue to develop his game. I expect many recruiters will be adding him to their radar very soon.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LjJ8Xu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["381877"],"_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='381877' first='Tyler' last='Neal'] is an aggressive defensive lineman prospect who specializes in consistently creating pressure on the opposing offense and breaking the offensive line apart. Neal, a 6'2 230lbs 2024 grad from St. Xavier High School, is having a great defensive season so far as he has recorded 5 total sacks in only 4 games (3rd in state 6A class). Tyler is arguably one of the hardest-hitting defensive prospects in the state, as he can pin down players with lots of power and ferocity. When making tackles, Neal always hits them at their weak points to enable him to quickly get them down and even attempt to knock the ball from them. Tyler is also great at driving past the offensive line using his quick acceleration and strength to push through them. Lastly, Neal has an impressively strong grip when tackling runners. Once Tyler has a hand on you, there is no chance of escaping his initial contact. Neal has high-level collegiate talent and I expect him to utilize that talent for a highly competitive college program after this 2023 season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JAu1ru0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["373040"],"_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='373040' first='Tucker' last='Roth'] is an incredible middle linebacker prospect who is currently one of the highest-performing players at his position in the 6A division. Roth, a 6'3 215lbs 2025 grad from Pleasure Ridge Park High School, has made 51 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 4 games played (12.8 tackles per game). Roth is another prospect who hits with lots of force and aggression. This has enabled him to limit big-time gains for the opposing offense and help take down ball carriers a lot quicker. Along with that, Roth has been able to escape multiple blockers to still reach the runner and make the tackle. Tucker's strength and speed at the MLB position tend to be non-comparable for most others, which is why it has made him one of the highest-performing defenders in his division. Finally, Roth reads the QB exceptionally well as he is always able to lock onto them and get to wherever the ball is to make the play. Roth is one of the most reliable linebackers in the state, and I believe that will easily transition to the next level. I believe Roth will see more recruiting interest soon.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ljvn2u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121543' first='Landon' last='Edwards']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Fern Creek High School ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Landon is the other highest-performing defensive prospect coming from Fern Creek High School on this list. Edwards, a 5'9 170lbs defensive back recruit in the class of 2024, currently leads the entire state 6A division with 4 interceptions in 5 games played, along with 13 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 defensive touchdown. Since Landon is also a wide receiver on the offensive end for Fern Creek, he transfers his skills at receiver into his play at free safety. With that, Edwards excels at reading the QB's decision-making, and where receivers will be running to catch the ball on their routes. Edwards has perfected this skill so well this year, that he makes it nearly certain he will be picking off at least one ball every game. With a few offers and more collegiate interest going Landon's way, there will be no doubt he will be suiting up for a college program after the end of his 2023 senior season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LdkrWu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6507d3a784e63"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->