2025 Preseason All-State Team: 1A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The time has finally come, the 2025 high school football season is officially here! With this in mind, I wanted to highlight the top players in each class in the state of Kentucky with my Preseason All-State Teams. After already covering classes 2A-6A, I have now turned my attention to class 1A. With the offense already taken care of, here is my Preseason All-State 1A defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1562264"],"_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-68ae27268144c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1562264' first='John' last='Luke Minner'] is one of the top edge defenders in the entire state. He is at his best as a pass rusher where he is able to use his explosive speed off the edge to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease. Minner finished his junior year with 12 sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing last season with 40 tackles and three tackles for loss. Minner is committed to Brown where I can see him making an immediate impact at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610655"],"_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-68ae28488aff4"} --> <!-- 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 a player who has been high on my radar for a while now. Hurry lines up at defensive end where he is a very disruptive against the run. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to burst into the backfield before the opposing offensive line can react. When linemen are able to get their hands on him, he has shown the strength to fight through blocks with ease. Sean is a very reliable tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, finishing last season with 74 tackles and 21 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to get to the quarterback as a pass rusher, finishing his sophomore year with nine sacks. Sean doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should have their eyes on heading into his junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658433"],"_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-68ae29ead09b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1660650' first='David' last='Headlee'] caught my attention during the camp circuit this offseason. Headlee lines up at defensive end where he is very reliable as a pass rusher. He has the speed to run by opposing offensive tackles but also has the strength to bull rush straight through them on his way to the quarterback. Last season, Headlee accounted for two sacks and multiple quarterback pressures. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing his sophomore year with 60 tackles and nine tackles for loss. David doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715683"],"_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-68ae2ad093e67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1715683' first='Kataviun' last='Fryar'] is a player who stood out to me when evaluating sophomore year film. Fryar lines up at defensive tackle where he causes a ton of disruption against the run. He is very explosive out of his stance and uses a combination of speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive linemen on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler, finishing last season with 82 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. Fryar has also proven to be effective as a pass rusher, finishing his sophomore year with eight sacks. Kataviun doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect college coaches to have their eyes on him heading into his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1655632"],"_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-68ae2c5e37c46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1655632' first='Rocco' last='Huffman'] had a breakout year as a junior, leading his team with 132 tackles along with 11 tackles for loss. He has a true nose for the ball, showing the ability to read the play quickly then use his speed get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Huffman also showed the ability to rush the passer as a junior, finishing the year with 8.5 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and returned one of them for a touchdown last season. Rocco doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches 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":["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-68ae2d11aed9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='415771' first='Jeremiah' last='Anderson'] has been high on my radar since his freshman year. He lines up at outside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Anderson does a great job of reading the play then flowing to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle, finishing last season with 128 tackles and six tackles for loss. He also finished his sophomore year with one sack. Jeremiah doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who I expect college coaches to be watching closely this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378834"],"_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-68ae2eb5351f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='378834' first='Jayden' last='Justice'] is another incoming junior outside linebacker from Pikeville who has stood out to me. Justice is very impressive against the run, showing the ability to diagnose the play quickly then take good angles to the ball carrier to get to them quickly. He is a reliable open field tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, finishing last season with 86 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Justice also finished his sophomore year with three sacks and made an impact on offense, rushing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Jayden doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on 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":["1706088"],"_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-68ae301739d6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1706088' first='Trevion' last='Mizell'] caught my attention when breaking down film for the 2026 class. Mizell lines up at corner where he is very reliable in zone coverage. He does a great job of reading routes then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play when it is thrown his way. Trevion has also shown the ability to provide support against the run. He uses his closing speed to come downhill with a sense of urgency and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Mizell currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Wagner, and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him after transferring from Frederick Douglass to Paris for his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175779"],"_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-68ae313232a0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175779' first='Kendell' last='Buck-Barber'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now. He is a versatile defensive back who has shown the ability to play both safety and nickel. Buck-Barber is very reliable in pass coverage, showing the ability to read the quarterback and flow through the secondary to put himself in position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown the ability to break with perfect timing to make a play on the ball, finishing last season with a team-high four interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also finished his junior year with 40 tackles and six tackles for loss, and made an impact on offense, catching 27 passes for 400 yards and seven touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown. Kendell doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect him to be on the radar of college coaches this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1274991"],"_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-68ae31f1b9310"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1274991' first='Deion' last='Davidson'] made an immediate impact last season as a freshman. Davidson lines up at safety where he is very impressive in pass coverage. He does a great job of flowing through coverage to put himself in a position to make a play and has shown impressive ball skills when the ball is thrown his way, coming away with three interceptions last season. Deion also finished his freshman year with 50 tackles and three tackles for loss, and scored one rushing touchdown on offense. Davidson will definitely be a player to continue to watch over the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1844356"],"_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-68ae337676bc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my 1A Preseason All-Stars defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1844356' first='Braylon' last='Beard']. Beard lines up at corner where he is very reliable in coverage. He thrives in zone coverage, showing the ability to read route combinations with ease to put himself in position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, he reacts with perfect timing to make a play on the ball, finishing his junior year with a team-high three interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. He has also shown the ability to provide support against the run, finishing last season with 41 tackles and one tackle for loss. Beard 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 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>[player_tooltip player_id='1299937' first='Julian' last='Smith'] (Campbellsville, 2028); [player_tooltip player_id='1637967' first='Caden' last='Thacker'] (Pikeville, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617389' first='Harrison' last='Phillips'] (Sayre, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1610677' first='Shaiden' last='Calhoun'] (Campbellsville, 2027); Bowen Johnson (Kentucky Country Day, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176971' first='Monte' last='Hairston'] (Frankfort, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1651730' first='Deegan' last='Ortega'] (Eminence, 2028); [player_tooltip player_id='1584333' first='Nick' last='Cozzi'] (Bishop Brossart, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1284268' first='Connor' last='Holbrook'] (Hazard, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->