2023 Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football regular season coming close to a close, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top performers from the season. With that being said, I will be releasing my watchlists for my Offensive, Defensive, and Two-Way Player of the Year awards for the 2023 season. After covering the offensive side of the ball, here is my 2023 Defensive Player of the Year watchlist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438173"],"_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='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has had an outstanding senior season so far. Rice lines up at linebacker where he is dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball in a hurry to make tackles in the open field before the ball carrier can get going. Through nine games, Brach leads the state in tackles with 135 along with 30 tackles for loss. He also also shown the ability to rush the passer off the edge, coming away with 12 sacks so far. Rice is committed to Miami (OH) where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["373781"],"_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 has had an impressive 2023 season is [player_tooltip player_id='373781' first='Vincent' last='Carrico']. He has been very impressive against the run so far this season. On runs in between the tackles, Carrico does a great job of coming downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier in the hole before they can get going. When the play is run on the outside, he has shown the ability to flow to the ball quickly to make tackles in the open field. Through nine games, Carrico has accounted for 130 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, coming away with 2.5 sacks so far. Carrico currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a productive linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["490002"],"_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 linebacker on this list is [player_tooltip player_id='490002' first='Bryce' last='Pugh'] from Leslie County. Pugh has had an outstanding season so far, accounting for 122 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He is a physical middle linebacker that comes downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier in the gap before they can get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact with a ton of physicality, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. He has proven to be reliable against the pass as both a rusher and in coverage, coming away with two sacks and two interceptions so far. Bryce currently holds an offer from Thomas More and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["331710"],"_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='331710' first='Mikel' last='Clack'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now but has exceeded expectations this season. Clack lines up at defensive end where he has been dominant as a pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Through nine games, Clack currently leads the state with 15.5 sacks. He has also showed the ability to stop the run, accounting for 83 tackles and 10 tackles for loss so far. Mikel doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_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='1121532' first='Layton' last='Starks']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Woodford County","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121532' first='Layton' last='Starks'] is another defensive end that has stood out to me this season. He has been very impressive off the edge as a pass rusher. Starks has shown the ability to use his speed and athleticism to blow by opposing offensive tackles and get to the quarterback, coming away with eight sacks in eight games so far. He has also shown the ability to cause disruption against the run, accounting for 45.5 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss. Starks is committed to Ball State where I can see him developing into a productive pass rusher at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["399293"],"_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='399293' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] has established himself as one of the top players in the state since transferring to Corbin this off-season. Smith lines up at defensive end where he is a force against the run. He does a great job of reading the play and shedding blocks quickly then getting to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Through nine games, he leads his team with 83 tackles along with five tackles for loss. He also has shown that he is reliable against the pass both as as rusher and in coverage, coming away with three sacks and two interceptions so far. Jacob is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["952644"],"_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":"Joining Jacob on this list is his twin brother, [player_tooltip player_id='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith']. Jerod lines up at defensive end where he has been a force off the edge as a pas rusher. Smith explodes out of his stance and is able to use his speed and strength to win off the edge against opposing offensive tackles, and get to the quarterback. Through nine games, Smith has eight sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, accounting for 72 tackles and 17 tackles for loss so far. Jerod is committed to join his brother at Kentucky where I can see him finding a key role on their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["460597"],"_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":"Another defensive lineman that has stood out to me this season is [player_tooltip player_id='460597' first='Johnathan' last='Griffin']. Griffin lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. He has impressive speed but also has a nice arsenal of pass rush moves which he uses to win off the edge. Through seven games, Griffin has come away with 13 sacks. He has also shown the ability to get to the ball carrier in a hurry and make tackles in the open field against the run, accounting for 48 tackles and 22 tackles for loss so far. Griffin doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149589' first='Julian' last='Stafford']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Martin County","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149589' first='Julian' last='Stafford'] is a player that has jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up on the outside at corner where he is very reliable in pass coverage. Stafford has shown tremendous ball skills as he is currently tied for the statewide lead in interceptions with eight through nine games. After the interception, he has shown the ability to return the ball the other way for big plays. He has also shown the ability to come downhill and provide support against the run, accounting for 41 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss so far. Julian doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep a close eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett']","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Bell County","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my Defensive Player of the Year watchlist, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett'] from Bell County. Burnett has played a key role in the Bell County secondary this season. He has shown a very impressive ability to break in the ball with perfect timing to make plays on the ball. Through nine games, he is tied for the statewide lead with eight interceptions. He has shown the ability turn interceptions into big plays the other way, returning one for a touchdown so far. Burnett has also shown the ability to provide support against the run, accounting for 32 tackles so far. Blake doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653c0f41c5dce"} /-->