2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: Week 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football regular season is coming close to its end in the state of Kentucky as we have now had ten full weeks of regular season action. Week 10 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 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373821"],"_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='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] has continuously proven that he is one of the top players in the entire state. He had another impressive performance in Cooper's win over Dixie Heights. Alexander was able to use his impressive combination of speed and strength off the edge to dominate as a pass rusher. He finished the game with five sacks. Austin also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the game with six tackles. He also played a role on offense, catching two passes for 48 yards. Alexander currently holds multiple Power 5 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["399293"],"_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='399293' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] is another defensive lineman that is among the top players in the state of Kentucky. He played a key role in Corbin's shutout win over Perry County Central. Smith lined up off the edge at defensive end and was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read the run and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles, leading the team with 11 total tackles along with one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Jacob also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the game with two sacks. Smith is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["952644"],"_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='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith'] joins his twin brother on this week's top performers list. He line up at defensive end where he was very impressive as a pass rusher. Smith explodes out of his stance and is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. He finished the game with two sacks. Smith also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the game with nine tackles and three tackles for loss. Jacob is committed to join his brother at Kentucky where the two of them could be a very dangerous duo off the edge in the future.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121524' first='Isaac' last='Frye']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Fleming County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121524' first='Isaac' last='Frye'] is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in his team's shutout win over Bath County. Frye lined up at defensive end where he was able to use his speed off the edge to pose as a dangerous threat as a pass rusher. He finished the game with two sacks. Frye also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing with ten tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He also returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Frye 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 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":"Octavius McKeage","_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":"null","_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":"Russellville","_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":"Octavius McKeage is another player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in Russellville's win over Fulton County. McKeage lined up at safety where he showed the ability to come down in the box and play downhill to provide run support. He finished the game with six tackles and one tackle for loss. McKeage also returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Octavius also proved to be reliable against the pass both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the game with one sack and an interception. McKeage doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_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":"Robert Collins","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Shelby Valley","_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":"Another player that stood out to me this past week was Robert Collins from Shelby Valley. Collins played a key role in Shelby Valley's win over East Ridge. He lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. Collins showed the ability to come downhill and get to the ball in a hurry to make tackles in the open field, finishing the game with a team-leading 23 tackles. Robert doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["943483"],"_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='943483' first='Aiden' last='Weatherholt'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past week. He played a key role in Hancock County's win over Hopkins County Central. Weatherholt lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to make tackles before the ball carrier can get going. Aiden finished last week's game with 16 tackles and one tackle for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the game with one sack. Aiden doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_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":"Montez Trussell","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"2496","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Bowling Green","_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":"Montez Trussell is another linebacker that stood out to me last week. He played a key role in Bowling Green's dominant win over Greenwood. Trussell did a great job of coming downhill from his middle linebacker spot to stop the run. He finished the game with a team-high 11 tackles. Trussell also proved to be reliable in pass coverage, coming away with one interception and returning it for a touchdown. Montez doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons as he continues to develop.","_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":"James Presley","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Western","_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":"James Presley is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a huge role in Western's win over Waggener. Presley lined up on the outside at corner where he was very impressive in man coverage, showing the ability to open up and run with receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball was thrown his way, Presley showed tremendous ball skills, coming away with three interceptions. He also showed the ability to come downhill and provide support agains the run, finishing the game with four tackles. Presley also played a role on offense, catching one pass for 58 yards. James doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that college coaches should keep an eye on as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_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='1149626' first='Cole' last='Hicks']","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Boyd 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 top performers from Week 10, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1149626' first='Cole' last='Hicks'] from Boyd County. Cole played a key role in his team's win over Lawrence County. He plays a key role on both sides of the ball for Boyd County but was stood out the most in the secondary in last week's game. Hicks showed impressive ball skills, coming away with two interceptions. He also showed the ability to turn interceptions into big plays the other way, returning one for a touchdown. Hicks also finished the game with two tackles while also catching two passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cole doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65399055652ba"} /-->