2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: Playoffs Round 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football regular season behind us, we have now made it through the first two rounds of the playoffs in the state of Kentucky. Round 2 gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. With the offense already being covered, here are my top defensive performers in the state of Kentucky from the second round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423720"],"_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='423720' first='Montel' last='Campbell'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out last week. He played a key role in Ballard's second round win over DuPont Manual. Campbell lines up at safety where he is a true ballhawk in the secondary. He does a great job of breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Campbell came away with one interception in last week's game and returned it for a touchdown. He also showed the ability to fill the lane to provide support against the run, leading his team with 13 tackles along with one tackle for loss. Montel doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves more attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level. Campbell and the Bruins will be looking to keep their season alive in a matchup against Central Hardin this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["952644"],"_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='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith'] is another player that has be consistently high on my radar and continued to impress last week. He played a key role in Corbin's win over Taylor County. Smith lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against the run. He showed the ability to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles before they could get going. Smith finished the game with seven tackles and three tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Jerod is committed to Kentucky where I can see him becoming a key piece of their defense once he gets there. Smith and the Redhounds will be looking to keep their season alive with a very intriguing matchup against Boyle County this week.","_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":"Gemel Smith","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_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":"Central ","_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 lineman that stood out to me last week was Gemel Smith from Central. He played a key role in his team's second round win over  Mercer County. Smith lined up at defensive end where he was able to fight through blocks and get to the quarterback in a hurry as a pass rusher. He finished the game with four sacks. Smith also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the game with five tackles. Gemel 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. Smith and the Yellowjackets have a tough task ahead of them this week as they face a very talented CAL team that is looking to defend their state title.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["971505"],"_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":"For the second consecutive week, [player_tooltip player_id='971505' first='Dameyn' last='Anness'] finds himself on my defensive top performers list. Anness played a huge role in Ludlow's win over Newport. Dameyn lined up at linebacker where he was impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. He led his team with nine tackles and two tackles for loss. Anness also showed reliability against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the game with one sack and an interception. He also finished the game as his team's leading rusher, running the ball 25 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Anness doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next few years. Dameyn and the Panthers will be looking to keep their playoff run going in a tough matchup against Kentucky Country Day this week.","_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":"Jeremy Walters","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Franklin 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":"Jeremy Walters is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in Franklin County's second round win over North Oldham. Walters lined up at middle linebacker where he was very disruptive against the run. He led his team with 12 tackles and two tackles for loss. Walters also proved to be reliable in pass coverage, coming away with one interception. Jeremy doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the playoffs and going into his senior season. Walters and the Flyers will be looking to keep their season alive in a matchup against Bardstown this week.","_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":"Hawkins Maki","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Kentucky Country Day","_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":"Hawkins Maki is a player that has caught my attention this season and continued to stand out last week. He played a key role in his team's second round win over Bethlehem. Hawkins lined up at linebacker where he was impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read his keys and flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they could get going. Maki finished the game with six tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to blitz up the middle and get to the quarterback, finishing the game with two sacks. Maki doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play at the next level. Hawkins and the Bearcats will be looking to keep their playoff run going in a matchup against Ludlow this week.","_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":"Frankie Nutt ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_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":"McCracken County","_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":"Another defensive player that stood out to me last week was Frankie Nutt. Frankie played a key role in his team's second round win over Henderson County. Nutt lines up at outside linebacker where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. He is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Nutt finished last week's game with two sacks. He also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the game with six tackles and two tackles for loss. Nutt currently holds offers from Limestone, Culver-Stockton, Dohn Prep, Thomas More, Millikin, and Bethel (TN), and I can see him being a productive player wherever he ends up playing at the next level. Frankie and the Mustangs have a tough task ahead of them this week as they face off against a very talented Trinity team.","_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":"Noah Payton","_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":"2496","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Central Hardin","_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":"Noah Payton is a player that jumped onto my radar last week. He played a key role in Central Hardin's win over Daviess County. Payton lined up at outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Payton finished the game with a team-high seven tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer off the edge, finishing the game with two sacks. Noah currently holds offers from Georgetown College and Hardeeville Prep, and I can see more coming his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. Payton and the Bruins will be looking to keep their season alive in a matchup on the road against Ballard this week.","_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":"Jashawn Carr","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Owensboro ","_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":"Another outside linebacker that caught my attention in the second round was Jashawn Carr. He played a key role in Owensboro's second round victory over South Warren. Carr was impressive against the run, showing the ability to fight through blocks and get to the ball carrier to make tackles in the open field. He finished the game with  eight tackles. Carr also showed the ability to make plays in pass coverage, coming away with an interception and returning it for a touchdown. Jashawn doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. Carr and the Red Devils will be looking to keep their season alive in a matchup against Atherton this week.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["373048"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my defensive top performers from the second round of the playoffs, I have [player_tooltip player_id='373048' first='Brock' last='Coffman'] from Sayre. Brock played a huge role in his team's second round win over Paris. On defense, he lined up at corner where he was very impressive in coverage. When the ball was thrown his way, he showed the ability to break with perfecting timing to make a play, finishing the game with three interceptions. He also finished the game with three tackles. Coffman really could've been a top performer on either side of the ball this week as he also caught four passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Brock currently holds from Maryland and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber prospect. Coffman and the Spartans will be looking to keep their playoff run going in a matchup against Raceland this week.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6557d38c87fbe"} /-->