2023 Regular Season All-State Team: 4A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end the month of November, playoff football is in full swing in the Bluegrass state. 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 &amp; 5A out of the way, I have now turned my attention to class 4A. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here is my 4A Regular Season All-State Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["460597"],"_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='460597' first='Johnathan' last='Griffin'] is a player that truly jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. Griffin is explosive out of his stance and is able to use his speed and pass rush moves to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Johnathan finished the regular season with 15 sacks. He also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 52 tackles and 24 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 has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_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 a player that quickly established himself as one of the top overall players in the state after transferring to Corbin this season.  Smith lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive against the run. He has shown the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Smith finished the regular season as his team's leading tackler with 83 along with five tackles for loss. He also has shown the ability to pose as a threat against the pass, both as a pass rusher and in coverage. Jacob finished the regular season with three sacks and two interceptions. Smith is committed to Kentucky where I can see him becoming 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":"Joining Jacob on this team is his twin brother, [player_tooltip player_id='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith']. Jerod also lines up off the edge where he is a very dangerous pass rusher. He is able to use an impressive combination of strength and speed to fight through blocks to get to the quarterback. Smith finished the regular season with eight sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 72 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Jerod 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_player":["919067"],"_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='919067' first='Camron' last='McDaniels'] is another defensive prospect that has jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up on the edge as a defensive end/outside linebacker where he is a very dangerous pass rusher. McDaniels explodes out of his stance and has the speed to blow by offensive tackles while also having the strength to drive straight through them on his way to the quarterback. He finished the regular season with 13 sacks. McDaniels also showed the ability to make plays in pass coverage, coming away with two interceptions during the regular season. He also showed the ability to make plays against the run, finishing the regular season with 47 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns. McDaniels also plays a key role on offense at tight end. Camron currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Southern Illinois, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["313671"],"_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='313671' first='Kaden' last='Smith'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Smith lines up at outside linebacker where is a very impressive pass rusher. He has shown the ability to tune the snap count to burst off the edge and use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles before they have a chance to block him. Smith finished the regular season with 12.5 sacks. He has also shown the ability to read the run and flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field, finishing the regular season with 77 tackles and 27.5 tackles for loss. Smith also showed that he has a true nose for the ball on defense, returning one interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns. Kaden is committed to Eastern 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":["653504"],"_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='653504' first='Phoenix' last='Eddington'] is another linebacker that has been on my radar for a while now and has stood out this season. Eddington lines up at inside linebacker where he is impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle. Eddington finishing the regular season with 118 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He also showed some reliability in pass coverage, coming away with two interceptions during the regular season. Phoenix doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149620' first='Cameron' last='Moore']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"John Hardin","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149620' first='Cameron' last='Moore'] is a player that truly jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up at linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Moore does a great job of reading the play and using his speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier before they can get going. Once he arrives at the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Moore finished the regular season with 92 tackles and 21 tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to make plays in pass coverage, finishing the regular season with two interceptions. Moore doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149623' first='Brandon' last='Gist']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"Valley","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149623' first='Brandon' last='Gist'] is another linebacker that jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up at middle linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Gist does a great job of read his keys and exploding through the gap to meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He does a good job of running his feet through contact to secure tackles without allowing for extra yards to be gained. Gist finished the regular season with 135 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He also has shown the ability to rush the passer, finishing the season with five sacks. Gist also finished the regular season as his team's leading rusher. Brandon doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["313661"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313661' first='Price' last='Aycock'] is a defensive back that has truly stood out to me this season. He lines up at safety where he is very impressive in pass coverage. Aycock has shown 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. Aycock has also shown the ability to come downhill and provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 54 tackles while also returning one fumble recovery for a touchdown. He also finished the regular season as his team's leading receiver. Price currently holds offers from McDougle Technical Institute, Midway, Otterbein, and Howard Prep, and I can see him being a very reliable player on either side of the ball wherever he decides to play 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1149626' first='Cole' last='Hicks'] is a defensive back that jumped onto my radar this season. He lines up on the outside at corner where he is impressive in man coverage, showing the ability to open up and run with receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown tremendous ball skills, finishing the regular season with seven interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also showed the ability to make tackles in the open field against the run, finishing the regular season with 25 tackles. Hicks has also played a key role on offense as a wide receiver. Cole doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player to keep an eye on going into his senior season.","_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='1121530' first='Broderick' last='Price']","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"DeSales","_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 4A Regular Season All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1121530' first='Broderick' last='Price'] from DeSales. Price lined up at corner where he was very impressive in pass coverage. He showed the ability to read the play and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Price finished the regular season with five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He also showed the ability to fight through blocks and come downhill to provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 25 tackles and three tackles for loss. Price also finished the season as DeSales' leading receiver. Broderick 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 ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553fbc55a241"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149630' first='Javeon' last='Campbell'] (Western Hills, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='735673' first='Luke' last='Toothaker'] (Franklin County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971508' first='Isaac' last='Estrada'] (Shelby County, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1149633' first='TJ' last='Williams'] (John Hardin, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665343' first='Larron' last='Westmoreland'] (Jeffersontown, 2027); Delano Collins (Franklin County, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->