2024 Regular Season All-State Teams: 3A 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 next week, I will be releasing my 2024 Regular Season All-State teams in each class. After already 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 3A Regular Season All-State Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1516137"],"_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-6733be1ae1312"} --> <!-- 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 a player who has jumped onto my radar with a strong senior season. Wiser lines up at defensive end where he is very reliable as a pass rusher. He explodes out his stance and is able to use his speed and pass rush moves to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Walker finished the regular season as the 3A leader in sacks with 12.5 in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing the regular season with 55 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Wiser doesn't currently hold any offers but he definitely 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":["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-6733bfc2514c0"} --> <!-- 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 another player who has caught my attention with an impressive senior year. Gabbard lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive off the edge as a pass rusher. He has very impressive speed which he uses to blow by opposing offensive tackles before they have a chance to block him. Creed finished the regular season with 10 sacks in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with 35 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, and caught one touchdown pass. Creed 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":["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-6733c827eb140"} --> <!-- 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 a dominant pass rusher. He has shown the strength to bull rush straight through blocks along with the speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles. Black finished the regular season with eight sacks in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with 38 tackles and one tackle for loss, and came away with an interception which he returned for a touchdown. Black doesn't currently hold any offers but I wouldn't be surprised to see some come his way soon as he has received some college interest. </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-6733c827eb194"} --> <!-- 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 is having an outstanding senior season. Griffin lines up at inside linebacker where he is dominant against the run. He does a great job of read his keys then using his speed to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Brenan finished the regular season as the statewide leader (all classes) in tackles with 156 along with 13 tackles for loss in 10 games. He also finished the regular season with one sack and three interceptions, and also played a key role on offense, running the ball 109 times for 999 yards and nine touchdowns. Griffin currently holds an offer from Union 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_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":"Hunter Pingleton","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"195","_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":"Rockcastle 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-6733c827eb234"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hunter Pingleton is a player who has jumped onto my radar with a strong sophomore season. He lines up at middle linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. Pingleton does a great job of reading his keys then coming downhill to make the tackle before the ball carrier can get going. He finished the regular season with 110 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in 10 games. Pingleton also finished the regular season with four sacks, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown, and one rushing touchdown. Hunter 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_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-6733c827eb278"} --> <!-- 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 another linebacker who has caught my attention this season. Powers lines up at middle linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He reads his keys quickly then explodes downhill to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Ross finished the regular season with 147 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, finishing the regular season with three sacks. Powers doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into 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":"Kellon Stone","_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":"165","_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":"Glasgow","_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-6733c827eb2f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kellon Stone is a player who has jumped onto my radar with a very impressive senior season. Stone lines up at safety where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Kellon finishing the regular season as the 3A leader in interceptions with seven in 10 games, returning two of them for touchdowns. Stone also showed the ability to fill the lane and make tackles against the run, finishing the regular season with 59 tackles and one tackle for loss. He also made an impact on offense, running the ball 24 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns while also catching one touchdown pass. Stone doesn't currently hold any offers but he definitely 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":["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-6733c827eb336"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1174254' first='Man' last='Robinson'] has truly made a name for himself as a freshman. Robinson lines up at corner where he is very impressive in coverage. He is very reliable in man coverage, showing the ability to open up and run with opposing receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, he reacts with perfect timing to make a play. Robinson finished the regular season with four interceptions in nine games, returning one for a touchdown. Man also finished the regular season with 36 tackles and one tackle for loss, and caught one touchdown pass. Robinson currently holds offers from Purdue and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way 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":["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-6733c827eb370"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my 3A Regular Season All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1516139' first='Elijah' last='Collins']. Collins lines up at safety where he is a ballhawk in the secondary. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and flowing through the secondary to put himself in a position to make a play on the ball. Elijah finished the regular season with five interceptions in 10 games. He has also shown the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the regular season with 29 tackles and one tackle for loss. Elijah has received college offers and interest as a basketball prospect but he is still a talented player on the gridiron who could play somewhere at the next level. </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>Zai'Vion Meads (Central, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1149602' first='Kamden' last='Davis'] (Union County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>Jaxon Fann (Lloyd Memorial, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] (Estill County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett'] (Bell County, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='283968' first='Isaiah' last='Jackson'] (Rockcastle County, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->