2023 Kentucky All-State Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the last couple 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 each individual class now being covered, I wanted to put together an All-State team for the entire state of Kentucky with all classes combined. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here is my 2023 Kentucky 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 has been on my radar for a while now but exceeded all expectations in 2023. He lined up at defensive end where he had an outstanding senior season as a pass rusher. Griffin showed the ability to burst off the edge and use an impressive combination of speed and pass rush moves to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. He finished the season as the statewide leader in sacks with 23 in 12 games. Johnathan also showed the ability to cause disruption against the run, finishing the season with 86 tackles and 37 tackles for loss. Griffin holds offers from Thomas More, Lindsey Wilson, and Campbellsville, and I expect him to make a huge impact on the defensive line wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["331710"],"_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='331710' first='Mikel' last='Clack'] is another defensive lineman that truly stood out to me this season. Clack lined up at defensive end where he was dominant against the run. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles before they could get going. Clack finished the season with 135 tackles and 18 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to pose as a threat against the pass both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the season with 16 sacks and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Mikel currently holds offers from West Virginia State and Campbellsville, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the potential to be a true impact player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["373821"],"_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='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] continued to prove that he is one of the most talented players in the entire state this season. He played a huge role in Cooper's run to the 5A State Championship Game. Alexander lined up at defensive end where he was able to us his combination of strength and speed to dominate off the edge as a pass rusher. He finished the season with 19 sacks in 15 games. Alexander also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the seaosn with 81 tackles and eight tackles for loss, while also coming away with one interception. He also played a key role on offense at tight end, finishing the season with 67 receptions for 1,138 yards and 19 touchdowns. Alexander currently holds a long list of Power 5 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a high-caliber defensive end prospect.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["952644"],"_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='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith'] quickly established himself as one of the best players in the state this season after transferring to Corbin. Smith lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and use his high motor to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. Smith finished the season with 90 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also finished the season with nine sacks and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Smith is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["438173"],"_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='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Rice lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read his keys and  fight through blocks to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Rice finished the season with 181 tackles and 32.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also showed the ability to rush the passer off the edge when needed, finishing the season with 13 sacks. Rice also played a role on offense as a running back, carrying the ball 42 times for 270 yards and five touchdowns. Brach is committed to Miami (OH) 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":["373781"],"_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='373781' first='Vincent' last='Carrico'] is another player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. Carrico lined up at linebacker where he was dominant against the run this season. He does a great job of reading his keys and flowing downhill to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Carrico finished the season as the statewide leader in tackles with 197, along with 13.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. 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 four sacks. Vincent also played a role on offense, carrying the ball 29 times for 138 yards while also catching two touchdown passes. He also returned one punt for a touchdown. Carrico currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["490002"],"_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='490002' first='Bryce' last='Pugh'] is a player that had an outstanding senior season in 2023. Pugh lined up at middle linebacker where he was outstanding against the run. He did a great job of reading his keys quickly and exploding downhill to meet the ball carrier in the gap to make tackles before they could get going. Pugh finished the season with 159 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the season with 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Pugh also played a role on offense as a ball carrier, finishing the season with 31 carries for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Bryce currently holds an offer from Thomas More and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to be a very productive linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["313671"],"_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='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 lined up at outside linebacker where he was very impressive as a pass rusher this season. He showed the ability to explode off the edge and use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles and get to the quarterback. Smith finished the season with 13.5 sacks in 12 games. He also showed the ability to cause disruption against the run, finishing the season with 103 tackles and 31 tackles for loss. Smith also finished the season with one interception which he returned for a touchdown, along with two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), and one punt return for a touchdown. He also played a role on offense, finishing the season as his team's leading receiver with 26 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns while also running the ball 39 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Kaden is committed to Eastern Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key impact player for them once he gets there.","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2411","_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 player that jumped into my radar in impressive fashion this season. He played a key role in Bell County's run to the 3A State Championship Game. Burnett lined up at free 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. Burnett finished the season with nine interceptions in 15 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also finished the season with 55 tackles and one tackle for loss. Blake was also the team's starting quarterback this season, finishing the year with 931 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and an interception, while also running the ball 58 times for 491 yards and six touchdowns. Burnett doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["408040"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='408040' first='JT' last='Haskins'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and finished his high school career on a high note this season. Haskins played a huge role in the Defenders' run to the 6A State Championship Game. On defense, Haskins lined up at safety where he is a true ball hawk in pass coverage. He showed the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing, using his speed to cover ground quickly to make a play. Haskins finished the season with seven interceptions in 14 games, returning one for a touchdown. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the season with 50 tackles and three tackles for loss. JT also finished the season as his team's leading receiver, catching 41 passes for 878 yards and 10 touchdowns. Haskins is committed to Ohio where I can see him developing into a key contributor once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["468474"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"To wrap up my 2023 Kentucky All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='468474' first='Beni' last='Mwamba'] from Dixie Heights. Beni lined up on the outside at corner where he was very impressive in man coverage. He showed the ability to open up and run with opposing receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball was thrown his way, he showed the ability to react with perfect timing to make a play on the ball, finishing the season with four interceptions in 12 games. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the season with 48 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Mwamba also returned one kickoff for a touchdown and finished the season with 12 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Beni is committed to UT-Chattanooga where I expect him to develop into a key piece of their secondary once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6582070bae571"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1121532' first='Layton' last='Starks'] (Woodford County, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='399293' first='Jacob' last='Smith'] (Corbin, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='919067' first='Camron' last='McDaniels'] (Jeffersontown, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] (Ryle, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='943483' first='Aiden' last='Weatherholt'] (Hancock County, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='381942' first='Jaxson' last='Shoulders'] (Hart County, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='423659' first='Jack' last='Lonaker'] (Cooper, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='408049' first='Jeremiah' last='Lowe'] (Frederick Douglass, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='1149589' first='Julian' last='Stafford'] (Martin County, 2025); Jayden Hacker (Leslie County, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='510250' first='Jullian' last='Seymour'] (Green County, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='1121518' first='Garrison' last='Brumback'] (Carroll County, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->