2024 Midseason All-State Teams: 1A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter the month of October, we have reached the halfway point in the 2024 high school football regular season in the state of Kentucky. With that being said, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top players of the first half by releasing my Midseason All-State teams in each class. After covering classes 2A-6A, I have now turned my attention to class 1A. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here is my Midseason 1A All-State Defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaylan Hartness","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newport","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d88eab3c7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaylan Hartness is a player who has jumped onto my radar with a very strong season so far. Hartness lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive off the edge as a pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Through five games, Hartness leads 1A with 9.5 sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, accounting for 32 tackles and 19 tackles for loss so far. Jaylan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1576962' first='Teegan' last='McCauley']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bethlehem","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d88eab3d27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1576962' first='Teegan' last='McCauley'] is another senior defensive lineman who has jumped onto my radar this season. McCauley lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive as a pass rusher. He does a great job of using his strength and pass rush moves to defeat blocks quickly on his way to the quarterback. McCauley has eight sacks through seven games this season. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the run, accounting for 33 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss so far this season. McCauley doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735734"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d88eab3d77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735734' first='Blake' last='Caudill'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Caudill lines up at defensive end where he is dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then shedding blocks quickly and using his speed to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Through seven games, Caudill has 59 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. He has also accounted for four sacks, and has made an impact on offense, scoring one rushing touchdown, catching one touchdown pass, and throwing a touchdown pass. Blake currently holds offers from Pikeville and UVA Wise, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586098"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d8c8d2d25e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='586098' first='Brenden' last='Anthony'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. Anthony lines up at outside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He reads his keys quickly and explodes downhill out of his stance to blow by opposing offensive lineman and get to the ball carrier to make the tackle in the open field. Through six games, Anthony is tied for the 1A lead in tackles with 76 along with nine tackles for loss. He has also come away with two sacks and has been a key contributor on offense, leading his team in rushing with 54 carries for 409 yards and two touchdowns along with two receiving touchdowns so far this season. Brenden currently holds offers from UVA Wise and Pikeville, and I expect more to come his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415771"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d8eb317bba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='415771' first='Jeremiah' last='Anderson'] is another Pikeville linebacker who has stood out so far this season. Anderson lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then flowing downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle. Anderson is currently tied with Anthony for the 1A lead in tackles with 76 along with three tackles for loss in seven games. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, coming away with one sack so far this season. Anderson doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735619"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d8eb317c09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735619' first='Deonte' last='Stevens'] is another member of the Pikeville defense who has impressed this season. Stevens plays in an outside linebacker/strong safety role where he does a great job against the run. He reads his keys then uses his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Stevens has 62 tackles and three tackles for loss through seven games. He has also proven to be reliable against the pass, showing the ability to read route combinations and the quarterback then put himself in a position to make plays on the ball. Stevens has also made an impact on offense, catching eight passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns this season. Deonte currently holds an offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1492213"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d945f5e67d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1492213' first='Jaylin' last='Craine'] is a player who has jumped onto my radar with a strong start to his junior year. Craine has been a true ballhawk in the secondary for Caverna this season. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play when it is thrown his way. Through five games, he leads 1A with six interceptions. He has also made 16 tackles and has made an impact on offense, leading his team in receiving with five receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown so far this season. Jaylin doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to watch over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1576965' first='Ryan' last='West']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bethlehem","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d945f5e76c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1576965' first='Ryan' last='West'] is another player who has jumped onto my radar this season. West lines up at free safety where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then coming downhill in a hurry to break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. West has come away with three interceptions in the first seven games, returning one of them for a touchdown. He has also shown the ability to fill the lane and provide support against the run, accounting for 47 tackles and one tackle for loss so far. West is also his team's leading rusher with 90 carries for 504 yards and seven touchdowns, and has also caught one touchdown pass and returned one kickoff for a touchdown this season. Ryan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should keep an eye on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braylon Beard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Campbellsville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670d96a75d2b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my Midseason 1A All-State Defense, I have Braylon Beard. Beard lines up at corner where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading route combinations then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play when it is thrown his way. Through six games, Beard has come away with three interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. He has also accounted for 18 tackles and scored one rushing touchdown so far this season. Beard doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry'] (Newport, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] (Paris, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610677' first='Shaiden' last='Calhoun'] (Campbellsville, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='378834' first='Jayden' last='Justice'] (Pikeville, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1252779' first='Kemonte' last='Braxton'] (Sayre, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='773234' first='Keegan' last='Gulley'] (Bishop Brossart, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->