2024 Midseason All-State Teams: 3A 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 4A-6A, I have now turned my attention to class 3A. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here is my Midseason 3A All-State Defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735674"],"_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-66fdac63a4e3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735674' first='George' last='Black'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Black lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive off the edge as a pass rusher. He uses his strength to shed blocks quickly and has shown the speed to blow by offensive tackles to get to the quarterback. George has five sacks through the first six games. He has also proven to be reliable against the run, accounting for 26 tackles and one tackle for loss so far. Black doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player for college coaches 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_player":["1516135"],"_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-66fdafb60154a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516135' first='Creed' last='Gabbard'] is a player who has jumped onto my radar with a strong senior year so far. He lines up at defensive end where he is a dominant pass rusher off the edge. Creed explodes out of his stance and is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease. Through six games, Gabbard leads 3A with eight sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, accounting for 22 tackles and 12 tackles for loss so far. Creed doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to continue to watch this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[373071],"_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-66fdbde0b39a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516137' first='Walker' last='Wiser'] is another senior defensive end who has caught my attention this season. He is very impressive off the edge as a pass rusher, showing the ability to use his speed and pass rush moves to get by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Walker has 7.5 through five games this season. Wiser has also proven to be reliable against the run with 25 tackles and two tackles for loss so far. Walker doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735553"],"_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-66fdc278d4e4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735553' first='Brenan' last='Griffin'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Griffin is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and flow downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Griffin is currently second in the entire state with 88 tackles, along with seven tackles for loss through six games. He has also come away with one sack, two interceptions, and has made an impact on offense with 45 carries for 521 yards and six touchdowns so far. Brenan doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon 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":["1516127"],"_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-66fdc278d4efa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516127' first='Ross' last='Powers'] is a player who has caught my attention with a strong start to his junior year. Powers lines up at middle linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He reads his keys quickly and flows to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Through six games, Powers is the statewide leader in tackles with 89 and also has 11 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, accounting for 1.5 sacks so far this season. Ross 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:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1516140"],"_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-66fdc45b0b596"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516140' first='Lincoln' last='Tomlinson'] is off to an impressive start to his high school career. Tomlinson lines up at outside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He reads the play quickly and uses his speed to blow right by opposing offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle in the open field. Lincoln currently leads his team with 61 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in six games. He has also come away with two sacks so far this season. Tomlinson doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1174254"],"_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-66fdc45b0b5f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1174254' first='Man' last='Robinson'] is another player who has impressed in his first season of high school football. He lines up on the outside at corner where he is very impressive in man coverage. Robinson has shown the ability to jam receivers off the line of scrimmage then use his speed to open up and run with them to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, he breaks on it with perfect timing to make a play. He has two interceptions and several pass breakups in five games this season. Robinson has also shown the ability to provide support against the run, accounting for 25 tackles and one tackle for loss so far this season. Man currently holds offers from Purdue and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a high-caliber talent with four years to continue to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1516139"],"_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-66fdc5c370812"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516139' first='Elijah' last='Collins'] is a player who has stood out to me with an impressive start to his senior year. Collins lines up at safety where he is very reliable in pass coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Through six games, Collins is tied for the 3A lead in interceptions with four. He has also showed the ability to fill the lane and make plays against the run, accounting for 21 tackles and one tackle for loss so far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1516130"],"_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-66fdc6ba6f0a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my Midseason 3A All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett']. Blake lines up at free safety where he is a ballhawk in the secondary. He reads route combinations and the quarterback then breaks on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Burnett has come away with three interceptions so far through six games. He has also accounted for 24 tackles so far this season. Blake is also Bell County's starting quarterback and has thrown for 559 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Burnett doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on over the next couple 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='1149602' first='Kamden' last='Davis'] (Union County, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] (Paris, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378839' first='Garyon' last='Hobbs'] (Christian Academy of Louisville, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] (Estill County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>Kellon Stone (Glasgow, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->