2025 Midseason All-State Team: 3A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter the month of October, we have already made it through the first half of the 2025 high school football regular season in the state of Kentucky. With that in mind, I have been releasing my Midseason All-State teams for each class. After already covering 4A-6A, I have turned my attention to 3A. With the offense already taken care of, here is my 3A Midseason All-State Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1236577"],"_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-68dee78bccad7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1236577' first='Xander' last='Contreras'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress as a senior. He lines up at defensive end where he is a very effective pass rusher. Contreras explodes out of his stance with a quick first step and is able to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Through his first six games, Contreras has recorded five sacks. He has also accounted for 31 tackles and seven tackles for loss so far this season. Xander currently holds offers from Memphis, Capital, Eureka, and Bethel (OK), and I expect more to come his way this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1925247"],"_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-68dee8e323168"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1925247' first='Blake' last='Mullins'] has caught my attention with a strong start to his junior year. He plays a defensive end/outside linebacker role where he is a dominant pass rusher off the edge. Mullins bursts out of his stance and uses his speed to his advantage to run by opposing offensive tackles with ease. He is currently the 3A leader in sacks with seven in six games. Blake also causes disruption against the run, recording 46 tackles and 12 tackles for loss this season. He also leads his team with two interceptions, and has returned one kickoff for a touchdown and played a key role on offense, leading the team in receiving with 11 catches for 286 yards and five touchdowns. Blake should be a player for college coaches to keep a close eye on 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":["1638818"],"_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-68dee9ef396da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638818' first='Brody' last='Cherry'] caught my attention as a junior and has continued to stand out this season. Cherry is an interior defensive end/tackle who is very reliable against the run. He uses his speed to shoot the inside gap and burst into the backfield before the opposing offensive line has a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Cherry is a very good tackler, accounting for 21 tackles and nine tackles for loss in six games this season. He has also proven to be an effective pass rusher, recording five sacks so far. Brody doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who 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":["1925245"],"_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-68deeb075192f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1925245' first='Cortayvion' last='Rapier'] has jumped onto my radar with a strong start to his senior year. Rapier lines up at defensive end where he is very impressive as a pass rusher. He plays with a high motor and uses his strength to bull rush straight through offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Rapier does a great job of finishing once he gets to the quarterback, coming away with five sacks in the first six weeks. He has also proven to be reliable against the run, recording 36 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss so far this season. Rapier currently holds an offer from Kentucky Christian and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200703"],"_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-68deecfa08089"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200703' first='Donavon' last='Smith'] is off to a very impressive start to his junior year as he currently leads 3A in tackles with 81 in five games. Smith lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys 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. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, accounting for two sacks and an interception so far this season. Donavon has received some college interest and I expect coaches to be keeping a close eye on him over the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706059"],"_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-68deecfa08139"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a strong junior year, [player_tooltip player_id='1706059' first='Simon' last='Rickman'] has picked up right where he left off this season. Rickman lines up at outside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read the play and flow downhill to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. On his way to the ball carrier, he has shown the ability to use his strength to shed blocks with ease and he is a good open field tackler once he gets there, recording 78 tackles in six games this season. He also has three sacks so far this season and has made an impact on offense, carrying the ball 31 times for 198 yards and five touchdowns. Simon currently holds offers from Muskingum and Bethel (TN), and I expect more to come his way throughout his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1925246"],"_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-68deeeb5df684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1925246' first='Ryder' last='Rodgers'] is a player who has caught my attention with a strong start to his senior season. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Rodgers diagnoses the play quickly then comes downhill in a hurry, using his speed to get to the ball carrier before they can get going. He is a very reliable open field tackler, currently leading his team with 77 tackles along with three tackles for loss in six games. Rodgers has also played a role on offense this season, running the ball 58 times for 377 yards and five touchdowns while also catching one touchdown pass. Ryder doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should have on their radar this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1925248"],"_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-68deeeb5df6e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1925248' first='Tristan' last='Mullins'] is another inside linebacker from Adair County who has stood out to me so far this season. He is dominant against the run, showing the ability to read his keys then burst out of his stance and use his speed to shoot the gap before the opposing offensive line can block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Through his first six games, Mullins has recorded 68 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Tristan should be a player to keep a close eye on 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":["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-68deefbd3e085"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516130' first='Blake' last='Burnett'] has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out as a senior. Burnett lines up at safety where he is a 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. When the ball is thrown in his direction, Blake has shown impressive ball skills, coming away with a team-high five interceptions in six games this season, returning one of them for a touchdown. He has also recorded 15 tackles so far. Burnett is also his team's starting quarterback, throwing for 663 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 183 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Blake doesn't currently hold any offers but he 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_player":["1925249"],"_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-68def1f4caa41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my 3A Midseason All-State Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1925249' first='Malachai' last='Rennie']. Rennie lines up at safety where he is very impressive in coverage. He does a great job of dropping into his zone then reading route combinations and the quarterback effectively. When the ball is thrown his way, Rennie has showed the ability to break with perfect timing to make a play. Through the first six games, Rennie leads his team with four interceptions. He has also shown the ability to provide support against the run, leading his team with 35 tackles so far this season. Malachai has also played quarterback this season, throwing for 955 yards and nine touchdowns while also leading his team in rushing with 54 carries for 386 yards and 11 touchdowns. Rennie has received some college interest and I wouldn't be surprised to see some offers start coming his way soon. </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='1654927' first='Caleb' last='Lovely'] (Magoffin County, 2028); [player_tooltip player_id='1665346' first='Jesse' last='Clark'] (Murray, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>Kevin Robins (Butler County, 2027); Hunter Pingleton (Rockcastle County, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1227163' first='Garrett' last='Howard'] (Letcher County Central, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>Colton Stidham (Letcher County Central, 2026); Owen McDowell (LaRue County, 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->