2023 Regular Season All-State Team: 3A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of November, playoff football is in full swing in the state of Kentucky. With the 2023 high school football season in the state of Kentucky behind us, I wanted to focus on some of the top players from this past season. In order to do this, I will be releasing my Regular Season All-State teams in each class. With classes 6A, 5A, and 4A out of the way, I have now turned my attention to 3A. After already covering the offense, here is my 3A Regular Season All-State Defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121524' first='Isaac' last='Frye']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fleming County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121524' first='Isaac' last='Frye'] is a player that truly grabbed my attention this season. He lined up at defensive end where he was able to assert his dominance as a a pass rusher. Frye showed the ability to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge to get to the quarterback. He finished the regular season with seven sacks. Frye also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 82 tackles and 19 tackles for loss. He also recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. Frye doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.","_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='1149602' first='Kamden' last='Davis']","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"Union 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":"Another defensive lineman that jumped onto my radar this season was [player_tooltip player_id='1149602' first='Kamden' last='Davis']. Davis lined up at defensive end where he showed the ability to cause disruption against the run. He finished the regular season with 80 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Davis also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the regular season with seven tackles and one interception. Kamden doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149604' first='Amare' last='Black']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Union 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149604' first='Amare' last='Black'] is another member of the Union County defensive line that stood out to me this season. Black lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive as a pass rusher. He has a nice variety of pass rush moves which he uses to defeat blocks and also has the speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Amare finished the regular season with 6.5 sacks. He also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 77 tackles and five tackles for loss. Black doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep an eye on going into his senior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["943538"],"_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='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] is a linebacker that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. He was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and come downhill in a hurry to make tackles. Jax finished the regular season with 132 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the season with a sack. Niece doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player for college coaches to keep an eye on going into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["381942"],"_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='381942' first='Jaxson' last='Shoulders'] is another linebacker that has been high on my radar for a while now that continued to stand out this season. Shoulders lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read his keys and flow to the ball quickly to make tackles. Shoulders finished the regular season with 119 tackles and four tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass both in coverage and as a rusher, finishing the season with one interception and a sack. Shoulders currently holds an offer from Westfield State and has received interest from several other programs, and I expect him to make a true impact wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["943483"],"_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='943483' first='Aiden' last='Weatherholt'] is another 3A linebacker that truly stood out to me this season. Weatherholt was very impressive against the run this season, using his speed to run all over the field to make tackles in the open field. He finished the regular season with 136 tackles and nine tackles for loss. Weatherholt also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the regular season with six sacks. Aiden currently holds an offer from Greenville and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["378839"],"_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='378839' first='Garyon' last='Hobbs'] is a young linebacker that jumped onto my radar this season. He played a key role on defense for CAL, leading them in tackles with 58 along with 17 tackles for loss during the regular season. Hobbs is very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and come downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He has also shown the ability to pose as a threat as a pass rusher, finishing the regular season with six sacks. Garyon currently holds offers from Kentucky and Louisville, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber talent with three years to continue to develop.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["373044"],"_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='373044' first='Avaion' last='Johnson'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Johnson lined up at safety where he is very impressive in pass coverage. He has shown the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Avaion finished the regular season with four interceptions. He has also shown the ability to come downhill and fill the lane to make tackles against the run. Johnson finished the regular season as he his team's leading tackler with 67 tackles. Avaion currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber safety prospect.","_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='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"null","_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":"Bell 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='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett'] is a young defensive back that jumped onto my radar this season. He played a key role on Bell County's defense this year. Burnett is very reliable in pass coverage, showing the ability to break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He was finished the regular season among the statewide leaders in interceptions with nine, returning one of them for a touchdown. Burnett also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 41 tackles. Blake doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an 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='1121528' first='Hayden' last='Elleman']","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_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":"Garrard 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":"Another defensive back that jumped onto my radar this season was [player_tooltip player_id='1121528' first='Hayden' last='Elleman']. Elleman lined up at safety where he was a true ball hawk in pass coverage, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the regular season with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Elleman also showed the ability to fill the lane and make tackles in the open field against the run, finishing the regular season with 71 tackles and six tackles for loss. Hayden doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149606' first='Aidan' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"Adair County","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_10_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"To wrap up my 3A Regular Season All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1149606' first='Aidan' last='Smith'] from Adair County. On defense, Smith lined up at safety where he was very impressive in pass coverage. Smith showed the ability to sit back in coverage and read the quarterback and route combinations in order to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball was thrown in his direction, he showed tremendous ball skills, finishing the regular season with six interceptions. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 62 tackles. Smith doesn't currently hold any offers  but he is a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656500a0c4655"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>Tytus Brown (Franklin-Simpson, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>Hunter Pingleton (Rockcastle County, 2027); AD Milby (Hart County, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='653485' first='Bo' last='Patterson'] (Casey County, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176939' first='Luke' last='Thomas'] (Union County, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='773245' first='Tyrin' last='Jurnett'] (Elizabethtown, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='1149609' first='Kohnner' last='Trent'] (Hart County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->