2024 Regular Season All-State Teams: 1A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the month of November, another regular season of high school football in the state of Kentucky has come and gone. With that being said, I wanted to acknowledge some of the top performers in each class before we get deeper into the playoffs. Over the past couple weeks, I have been releasing my 2024 Regular Season All-State teams in each class. After already 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 1A Regular Season 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673d5101d36c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress as a senior. Cowan lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive against the run. He does a great job of shedding blocks quickly then using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Cowan finished the regular season with 117 tackles and 19 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, finishing the regular season with five sacks. Preston doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest at 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_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-673d5cd5935ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaylan Hartness is a player who has caught my attention with a very strong senior season. Hartness lines up at defensive end where he is a very dominant pass rusher. He has shown the ability to use his speed to his advantage to blow by opposing offensive tackles off the edge before they have a chance to block him. Jaylan finished the regular season as the 1A leader in sacks with 11.5 in nine games. He has also proven to be very reliable against the run, finishing the regular season with 58 tackles and 25 tackles for loss. Jaylan doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches.</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='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_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-673d5cd5936d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry'] is another Newport defensive lineman who has stood out to me this season. Hurry lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then flowing to the ball carrier quickly to make the tackle in the open field. Sean finished the regular season with 48 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in nine games. He has also proven to be reliable as a pass rusher, finishing the regular season with five sacks. Hurry doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. </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-673d5cd5937b2"} --> <!-- 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 1A defensive lineman who has jumped onto my radar this season. McCauley lines up at defensive end where he is an impressive pass rusher. He uses a great combination of speed, strength, and pass rush moves to get by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. McCauley finished the regular season with 10 sacks in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 54 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Teegan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who deserves some attention from college coaches.</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-673d5cd593828"} --> <!-- 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 as a senior. Anthony lines up at outside linebacker where he is very productive against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then exploding downhill out of his stance in a hurry to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Anthony finished the regular season with 112 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in nine games. He also finished the regular season with two sacks and led his team in rushing with 109 carries for 992 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching three touchdown passes. Brenden currently holds offers from Pikeville and UVA Wise, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to be a true impact player 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-673d5cd59387d"} --> <!-- 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 continued to stand out this season. Anderson lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job defending the run. He reads his keys quickly then is able to use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Jeremiah finished the regular season with 103 tackles and four tackles for loss in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with one sack. Anderson doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on over the next few years. </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-673d5cd5938c3"} --> <!-- 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 caught my attention with a very impressive junior season. Craine has been a key piece of the Caverna defense this season, especially in pass coverage. He does a great job of reading route combinations and the quarterback to put himself in a position to make a play on the ball. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown tremendous ball skills, finishing the regular season as the 1A leader in interceptions with seven in eight games, returning two of them for touchdowns. He also finished the regular season as his team's leading receiver with five catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown. Jaylin doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1584333' first='Nick' last='Cozzi']","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_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":"Bishop Brossart","_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-673d5cd593975"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1584333' first='Nick' last='Cozzi'] is a player who jumped onto my radar with a strong junior season. He lines up at corner where he is very reliable in pass coverage. Cozzi 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. He finished the regular season with six interceptions in 10 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. Nick also finished the regular season with 43 tackles and made an impact on offense, catching 19 passes for 354 yards and eight touchdowns. Cozzi doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773234"],"_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-673d5cd5939d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my 1A Regular Season All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='773234' first='Keegan' last='Gulley']. Gulley is a ballhawk in the secondary, showing the ability to read the quarterback then break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the regular season with four interceptions in 10 games. Keegan has also shown the ability to come downhill and provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 45 tackles and five tackles for loss. He also made an impact on offense, finishing the regular season with 21 receptions for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Keegan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who deserves some attention from college coaches. </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='735734' first='Blake' last='Caudill'] (Pikeville, 2025); John Luke Minner (Sayre, 2026)</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='1610695' first='Fred' last='Carson'] (Paris, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1175779' first='Kendell' last='Buck-Barber'] (Newport, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1252779' first='Kemonte' last='Braxton'] (Sayre, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->