2023 All-State Team: 1A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the last few weeks of the year, another season of high school football in the state of Kentucky has come and gone. Over the past few weeks, I have been looking back at some of the top players from this past season by releasing my 2023 All-State teams in each class. With classes 2A-6A out of the way, I have turned my attention to 1A. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here is my 1A All-State Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["496965"],"_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='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now that continued to stand out this season. Cowan lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive against the run this season. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles before they can get going. Preston finished the season as his team's leading tackler with 112 tackles and 28 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also proved to be a very dangerous pass rusher off the edge, finishing the season with seven sacks. Preston 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_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='1121508' first='Zian' last='Webb']","_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":"6'0u0022","_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":"Paris","_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 Paris defensive lineman that stood out to me this season was [player_tooltip player_id='1121508' first='Zian' last='Webb']. Webb lined up at defensive tackle where he had a very strong senior season as a pass rusher. He showed the ability to use his impressive combination of strength and speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen to get to the quarterback. Webb finished the season as the 1A leader in sacks with 14 in 12 games. He also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the season with 92 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. Zian currently holds offers from Morehead State, Lindsey Wilson, and Campbellsville, and I can see him developing into a productive player wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["493889"],"_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='493889' first='Keondre' last='Weathers'] is another 1A defensive lineman that impressed me this season. Weathers lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against the run. He showed the ability to fight through blocks and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Weathers finished the season with 91 tackles and 23 tackles for loss in 13 games. He also asserted his dominance as a pass rusher, finishing the season with 12 sacks. Weathers currently holds an offer from Campbellsville 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_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='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_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":"Newport","_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='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry'] is a player that made a huge impact in his first season of high school football. Hurry lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive as a pass rusher. He showed the ability to use his speed and pass rush moves to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge. Hurry finished the season with 8.5 in 12 games. He also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the season with 86 tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Sean doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1200723' first='Crayson' last='Lafferty']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"Paintsville ","_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":"Another 1A freshman that stood out to me this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1200723' first='Crayson' last='Lafferty'] from Paintsville. Lafferty lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read his keys and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Lafferty finished the season with 132 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He also proved to be reliable in pass coverage, finishing the season with three interceptions. Lafferty also played a role on offense, scoring two rushing touchdowns this season. Crayson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.","_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":"Bowen Johnson","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Bowen Johnson is another 1A linebacker that caught my attention this season. Johnson lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He did a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball carrier to make tackles before they could get going. Bowen finished the season as the 1A leading tackler with 134 along with five tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to blitz effectively against the pass, timing the snap count perfectly to burst through his gap before the offensive line could react. Johnson finished the season with 4.5 sacks. Bowen doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["415771"],"_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":"Another freshman that finds his name on my 1A All-State Defense is [player_tooltip player_id='415771' first='Jeremiah' last='Anderson']. Anderson lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run this season. He showed tremendous awareness for a freshman, showing the ability to read his keys effectively  and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Anderson finished the season as his team's leading tackler with 128 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in 13 games. He also finished the season with three sacks and forced one safety. Jeremiah doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player for college coaches to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.","_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='1175779' first='Kendell' last='Buck-Barber']","_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":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Newport","_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='1175779' first='Kendell' last='Buck-Barber'] is a player that truly jumped onto my radar this season. Barber lined up at safety where he was very impressive in pass coverage. He showed the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Barber finished the season with seven interceptions in 12 games, returning one for a touchdown. He also showed the ability to come downhill and provide support against the run, finishing the season with 54 tackles and eight tackles for loss, while also returning one fumble recovery for a touchdown. Kendell also returned one punt and a kickoff for touchdowns, and caught 16 passes for 179 yards this season. Barber doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["408037"],"_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='408037' first='Nehemiah' last='Brown-Hamlin'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. He lined up at safety where he was very impressive in pass coverage. Hamlin is a true ball hawk on the back end of the secondary, showing the ability to break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the season with five interceptions in 14 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. Nehemiah also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the season with 61 tackles. He also played a key role on offense at receiver, catching 22 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Nehemiah currently holds an offer from Pikeville 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_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["653375"],"_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":"While he first caught my attention as his team's starting quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='653375' first='Cayden' last='Grigsby'] made a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball this season. Grigsby lined up at corner where he showed tremendous ball skills, showing the ability to turn and make a play on the ball at its highest point, coming away with six interceptions in 12 games and returning one for a touchdown. He also finished the season with 44 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Grigsby also returned one punt and two kickoffs for touchdowns and continued to impress at quarterback. He threw for 2,023 yards and 26 touchdowns with  seven interceptions while also leading the team in rushing with 135 carries for 898 yards and nine touchdowns. Cayden currently holds an offer from Union College and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball 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='1121514' first='Ethan' last='Powell']","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"Ludlow","_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 1A All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1121514' first='Ethan' last='Powell'] from Ludlow. On defense, Powell lined up at safety where he proved to be very reliable in pass coverage. He showed an impressive ability to break on the ball with perfect timing followed by excellent ball skills, finishing the season with four interceptions. Powell also played with a ton of physicality, showing the ability to come downhill to lay hits on receivers to knock the ball loose. He also showed the ability to fill the lane and make tackles against the run, finishing the season with 86 tackles. Ethan also returned one punt for a touchdown, scored one rushing touchdown, and finished the season as Ludlow's leading receiver with 40 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns. Powell doesn't currently hold any offers but he 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-657a3dcddba59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735734' first='Blake' last='Caudill'] (Pikeville, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>Khalil Barber (Newport, 2024); Collin Tolliver (Trimble County, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='735619' first='Deonte' last='Stevens'] (Pikeville, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1492213' first='Jaylin' last='Craine'] (Caverna, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->