2023 Prep Redzone KY Awards: Two-Way Player of the Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head towards the end of 2023, another season of high school football in the state of Kentucky has come and gone. With that being said, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top performers from the past season. Over the past few days, I have been releasing my awards picks from the 2023 season. After already covering the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, here are my finalists and winner for the 2023 Prep Redzone KY Two-Way Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finalists:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373821"],"_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='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] continued to show that he is one of the top players in the state, regardless of class, this season. He played a huge role in Cooper's run to the 5A State Championship Game. Alexander is best known for his dominant play at defensive end where he is a dangerous pass rusher. He has shown the ability to use his impressive combination of speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive tackles and get to the quarterback. Austin finished the season with 19 sacks in 15 games. He also finished the season with 81 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and one interception. On offense, Alexander played a huge role in the passing game at tight end, catching 67 passes 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 prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["735551"],"_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='735551' first='Connor' last='Hodge'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. He played a huge role in CAL's 3A State Championship run. Hodge was among the top pass catchers in the state, finishing the season with 114 receptions for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns in 15 games. He is an impressive route runner that shows the ability to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Hodge also has shown the speed to take the top off the defense in the deep passing game. On defense, Connor stood out as a defensive back, finishing the season as the statewide leader in interceptions with 11, returning two of them for touchdowns. He also finished the season with 56 tackles and four tackles for loss. Hodge currently holds several Division I offers and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["499069"],"_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='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] is a player that exceeded all of his expectations in very impressive fashion this season. He was the main driving force in Bell County's run to the 3A State Championship game. Thomas finished the season as the top rusher in the entire country, running the ball 400 times for 3,817 yards and 54 touchdowns in 15 games. Thomas has explosive speed which he uses to come downhill and get through the running lane in a hurry then run away from the defense on long runs. Once he hits the open field, Thomas has also shown the strength and elusiveness to break tackles. Thomas also played a key role on defense at linebacker, finishing the season with 94 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack. He also recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. Daniel currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Presbyterian College, and Dayton, and I expect him to be a dynamic playmaker wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["373790"],"_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='373790' first='Montavin' last='Quisenberry'] continued to establish himself as arguably the most electric player in the entire state this season. He did a little bit of everything on offense during Boyle County's 4A State Championship run. Quisenberry finished the season as the Rebels' leading receiver, catching 43 passes for 864 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games. He is able to use his speed to take the top off the defense in the deep passing game and to turn short passes into big gains at any given moment. Montavin was also very impressive out of the backfield as a ball carrier, running the ball 82 times for 800 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also threw one touchdown pass, and returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. Montavin also played a role on defense, finishing the season with 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Quisenberry currently holds offers from Michigan, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Louisville, and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year as he is a true Power 5 caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["653479"],"_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":"My fifth and final finalist for the 2023 Prep Redzone KY Two-Way Player of the Year is [player_tooltip player_id='653479' first='William' last='Carrico']. Carrico played a huge role in Owensboro Catholic's run to the 2A State Championship Game. William finished the season as the statewide leader in receiving, catching 95 passes for 1,922 yards and 30 touchdowns in 15 games. He was very impressive out of the slot, showing the ability to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Carrico also showed the ability to use his speed to pose as a deep threat and to turn short passes into big gamma. He also ran the ball 22 times for 140 yards. Carrico also played a key role on defensive as an outside linebacker/strong safety, finishing the season with 107 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks, along with six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). William is committed to Hillsdale College where I can see him making a key impact on whichever side of the ball they decide to play him.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65852da9b52f4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winner:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While all five of these finalists had a very strong 2023 season, there was no denying [player_tooltip player_id='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] of this award after his historic year. Daniel not only put himself in the national spotlight with his play but he also carried an underdog Bell County team all the way to the 3A State Championship Game. I'm very excited to see where Thomas decides to play at the next level as I truly do see him making a huge impact for the lucky program he chooses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->