2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: Week 7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football season is in full swing in the state of Kentucky as we have now had seven full weeks of regular season action. Week 7 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 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971500"],"_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":"While he makes an impact on both sides of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='971500' first='Cameron' last='Davis'] stood out the most on defense this past week. Davis played a key role in Ashland's shutout win over Rowan County. He lined up at safety where he did a great job of reading the run and coming downhill to make tackles in the open field. Davis finished the game with a team-leading 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. He was also impressive in pass coverage, coming away with one interception and returning it for a touchdown. Davis also played a key role on offense, running the ball three times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Cameron doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player for college coaches to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.","_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='1121518' first='Garrison' last='Brumback']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Carroll County","_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":"For the second time this season, [player_tooltip player_id='1121518' first='Garrison' last='Brumback'] find his name on my top performers list. Garrison played a key role in Carroll County's win over Bracken County. Brumback is a lockdown corner on the outside with very impressive ball skills. He finished this past week's game with two interceptions. Garrison also showed the ability to come downhill and provide support against the run, finishing the game with five tackles and two tackles for loss. Brumback currently holds an offer from Wilmington College and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Delano Collins","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Franklin County","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another defensive back that stood out to me this past week was Delano Collins. Collins played a key role in the Flyers' dominant victory over North Oldham. Delano was very impressive in pass coverage, coming away with one interception. He showed the ability to make plays after the interception, returning it for a touchdown. Collins also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the game with six tackles. Delano doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["460597"],"_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='460597' first='Johnathan' last='Griffin'] is another member of the Franklin County defense that stood out this past week. Griffin lined up as a stand-up defensive end where he was very dangerous as a pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and has shown the ability to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge to get to the quarterback. Griffin finished last week's game with three sacks. He also showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball in a hurry to make tackles against the run, finishing the game with eight tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Griffin doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["952644"],"_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='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith'] has established himself as one of the top players in the state since arriving at Corbin this season. He continued to impress this past week, playing a key role in Corbin's win over Johnson Central. Smith lined up at defensive end where he was dominant against the run, finishing the game with 15 tackles and one tackle for loss. He showed the ability to use his speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier before they could get going. When the play was ran away from him, he showed the ability to come down the line and run down the ball carrier from the opposite side. Once he got to the running back, he finished his tackles with a ton of physicality. Smith is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["381877"],"_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='381877' first='Tyler' last='Neal'] is another defensive lineman that has had a very impressive 2023 season. Neal continued to impress this past week in St. X's win over Ryle. Tyler lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against the run, finishing the game with a team-leading 14 tackles and four tackles for loss. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Neal was also very impressive as a pass rusher. He showed an explosive first step which he converted into speed off the edge to blow by  the opposing offensive tackle on his way to the quarterback. Neal finished the game with three sacks. Tyler 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_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["653370"],"_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='653370' first='Logan' last='Julian'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past week. Julian played a key role in Tates Creek's win over Dunbar. Logan lines up at linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and flowing downhill in a hurry to get to the ball. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Julian does a good job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. He finished last week's game with a team-high 16 tackles and three tackles for loss. Logan currently holds an offer from Wright State and I expect more to come his way as he has received a solid amount of college interest and has the talent to play 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":"Rylan George","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_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":"Union County","_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":"Rylan George is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. George played a key role in Union County's dominant win over Trigg County. He lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read the play and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. George finished the game with seven tackles. He also showed reliability in pass coverage, coming away with an interception and returning it for a touchdown. Rylan 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_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='1121508' first='Zian' last='Webb']","_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":"2406","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Paris","_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='1121508' first='Zian' last='Webb'] is another player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in Paris' dominant win over Bishop Brossart. Webb lined up at defensive tackle where he was dominant against the run, finishing the game with nine tackles and two tackles for loss. He has shown the ability to run the play and shed blocks quickly then get to the ball in a hurry to make tackles. Webb also showed the ability to explode out of his stance and blow by opposing offensive linemen as a pass rusher. He finished last week's game with two sacks. Zian doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play on either side of the line at the next level as he is also a key piece of the Paris offensive line.","_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":"Hunter Bradley","_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":"5'9u0022","_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":"Scott","_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 top defensive performers from Week 7, I have Hunter Bradley from Scott. Bradley played a key role in Scott's win over Boone County. He was very impressive in pass coverage as a defensive back, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfecting timing to make a play. He came away with one interception which he returned 101 yards for a touchdown. Bradley also showed the ability to come downhill and make tackles against the run, finishing the game with eight tackles. Hunter 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_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651f2acea62dc"} /-->