2024 Regular Season All-State Teams: 2A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we begin 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 3A-6A, I have now turned my attention to class 2A. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here is my 2A Regular Season All-State Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401709"],"_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-673b9fea75de8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401709' first='Jackson' last='Whitten'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out as a junior. Whitten lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive against the run. He sheds blocks quickly then is able to use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Whitten finished the regular season with 72 tackles and 26 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, finishing the regular season with 8.5 sacks. Jackson has also made an impact on offense at quarterback, finishing the regular season with 587 passing yards and eight touchdowns along with one rushing touchdown. Whitten doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on as he has received some college interest and 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1577023' first='Caleb' last='Emery']","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"285","_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":"Bracken County","_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-673ba21372798"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1577023' first='Caleb' last='Emery'] is another member of the Bracken County defensive line who has impressed this season. He lines up at defensive tackle where he is very disruptive as a pass rusher. Emery has shown the speed and strength to shoot the inside gap and blow right by or drive straight through opposing offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. Caleb finished the regular season with eight sacks in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 80 tackles and 29 tackles for loss. Caleb doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should have their eyes on 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":["1200723"],"_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-673ba213727ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200723' first='Crayson' last='Lafferty'] has made a huge impact in his first season at Martin County. Lafferty lines up at inside linebacker where he has been dominant against the run. He does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his speed to flow downhill to the ball carrier to make the tackle. Lafferty finished the regular season with 150 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the regular season with 2.5 sacks and one interception. Crayson has also made an impact on offense, finishing the regular season with 35 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown. Lafferty doesn't currently hold any offers but he should definitely be a player 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":["1517153"],"_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-673ba2137282a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1517153' first='Keshawn' last='Dixon'] is a player who caught my attention with a very strong junior season. Dixon lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He has shown the ability to use his speed to flow sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle in the open field before opposing offensive linemen get the chance to block him. Dixon finished the regular season as the 2A leader in tackles with 156 along with 21 tackles for loss in nine games. He also finished the regular season with two interceptions and a sack, and made a huge impact on offense, running the ball for 873 yards and 11 touchdowns while also catching one touchdown pass. Keshawn doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player who definitely 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":"Logan Stumbo","_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":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Prestonsburg","_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-673ba21372863"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Logan Stumbo is a player who jumped onto my radar with a very impressive junior year. He lines up at linebacker where he is dominant against the run. Stumbo does a great job of reading his keys quickly then coming downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. Logan finished the regular season with 116 tackles and 26 tackles for loss in nine games. He also finished the regular season with one sack, an interception, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Stumbo doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919065"],"_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-673ba21372898"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='919065' first='Jeremiah' last='Jones'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now who has continued to stand out this season. Jones lined up in an outside linebacker role on defense this season where he was dominant off the edge as a pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Jones finished the regular season as the 2A leader in sacks with 10 in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with 106 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and one interception. Jones also finished the regular season as Murray's leading receiver with 62 catches for 889 yards and eight touchdowns while also scoring two rushing touchdowns. Jeremiah is committed to Nebraska where I can see him developing into a key contributor once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971497"],"_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-673ba213728cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971497' first='Isaiah' last='Martin'] is another talented prospect from Murray who continued to stand out this season. On defense, Martin lines up at safety where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and flowing through coverage to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown tremendous ball skills, finishing the regular season with five interceptions in nine games, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also finished the regular season with 98 tackles, one tackle for loss, and half a sack. Martin also played a huge role on offense, finishing the regular season with 41 receptions for 640 yards and eight touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown. Isaiah currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I see more coming his way heading into his senior year as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1517148"],"_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-673ba21372900"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1517148' first='Luke' last='Parker'] is a player who caught my attention with a strong senior season. Parker lines up at safety where he is a true ballhawk in the secondary. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Luke finished the regular season as the 2A leader in interceptions with eight in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with 39 tackles and one tackle for loss, and led his team in receiving with 39 catches for 582 yards and three touchdowns. Luke doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have their eyes on 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":["1517158"],"_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-673ba21372935"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my 2A Regular Seaosn All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1517158' first='Devan' last='Maynard']. Maynard lines up at safety where he is very reliable in pass coverage. He has great instincts, showing the ability to read the quarterback and route combinations then break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Devan finished the regular season with six interceptions in 10 games, returning two of them for touchdowns. He also finished the regular season with 69 tackles and five tackles for loss. Maynard also played a key role on offense at quarterback, throwing for 808 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,045 yards and 18 touchdowns. Devan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on who could play multiple positions at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-673ba21372967"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577027' first='Ace' last='Daugherty'] (Edmonson County, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1517145' first='Ethan' last='Adkins'] (Pike County Central, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='727243' first='Mattox' last='Kelly'] (Beechwood, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1517151' first='Robert' last='Magalong'] (Fort Knox, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1577031' first='Trevor' last='Holbrook'] (Pike County Central, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1200716' first='Brayden' last='Holland'] (Leslie County, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401921' first='Malik' last='Kirby'] (Mayfield, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1577035' first='Brayden' last='Estep'] (Martin County, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1584351' first='Rylan' last='Simpson'] (Leslie County, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->