2024 Final Position Rankings: Defensive Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football season behind us, another senior class will be moving on to the next level. As we move into a new season, I wanted to take a look back at the class of 2024 by releasing the final 2024 rankings for the state of Kentucky. With these rankings being officially published, I will be taking the next week to break down each position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I will now turn my attention to the defensive side of the ball, starting with our top defensive linemen in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952644"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='952644' first='Jerod' last='Smith'] quickly established himself as one of the top overall players in the state after transferring to Corbin this season. Smith lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against both the run and the pass. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Jerod finished the season with 90 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 12 games. As a pass rusher, he was able to use his impressive combination of speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive tackles and get to the quarterback. He finished the season with nine sacks. Smith also recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. Jerod signed with Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["399293"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Next up in our 2024 defensive lineman rankings is Jerod's brother, [player_tooltip player_id='399293' first='Jacob' last='Smith']. Jacob made a huge impact in his one season at Corbin this season. He lined up as a defensive end/outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. Smith plays with a very high motor which he uses to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field before the ball carrier can get going. He finished the season with a team-leading 103 tackles along with five tackles for loss in 12 games. Smith also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the season with four sacks and two interceptions. Jacob signed to join his brother at Kentucky where the two of them could be a very dangerous duo on their defensive front in the future.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["408048"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408048' first='Demeco' last='Kennedy'] is a player that has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. While he was limited in reps compared to other players due to blowout wins, Kennedy was dominant when on the field. He lined up at defensive tackle where he was very disruptive against the run. Kennedy has shown the ability to use his strength to fight straight through blocks and get to the ball carrier to make tackles before they can get going. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, using his speed and pass rush moves to blow by opposing offensive linemen and get to the quarterback. Demeco signed with Purdue where I can see him becoming a key piece of their defensive line once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["423619"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='423619' first='Darius' last='Wiley'] is another defensive lineman that has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to impress during his senior season. Wiley is a long, athletic defensive end that is very disruptive off the edge . He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed and quickness to blow by opposing offensive tackles to get into the backfield/pocket. Wiley finished the season with 46 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack in 10 games. Darius recently reopened his recruitment and holds multiple Division I offers. I fully expect him to be a true impact player wherever he ends up playing at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["408042"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"To wrap up our top five defensive linemen in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='408042' first='Jahvon' last='Frazier']. The senior defensive end played a key role in Bryan Station's run to the 6A State Championship Game this season. He was very disruptive against the run this season, showing the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles before they can get going. Frazier finished the season with 72 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the season with five sacks. Frazier signed with Akron in where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6595e655511b1"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best of the Rest (Players Included in Top 200):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='423622' first='Chase' last='Couch'] (Lexington Christian Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='1121532' first='Layton' last='Starks'] (Woodford County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='305210' first='Isaiah' last='Hare'] (Bullitt East)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='381879' first='Ashton' last='Jones'] (Saint Xavier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='460597' first='Johnathan' last='Griffin'] (Franklin County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='408047' first='Jasante' last='Harmon'] (Scott County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='423620' first='Christopher' last='Jones Jr'] (DuPont Manual)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='381933' first='Kenyatta' last='Hardge'] (Lexington Christian Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='331710' first='Mikel' last='Clack'] (Ballard)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='381877' first='Tyler' last='Neal'] (Saint Xavier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='1121508' first='Zian' last='Webb'] (Paris)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. [player_tooltip player_id='493889' first='Keondre' last='Weathers'] (Campbellsville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. [player_tooltip player_id='381923' first='Tay'Shaun' last='Linton'] (Trigg County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. [player_tooltip player_id='653476' first='Bryce' last='Strickland'] (Male)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20. [player_tooltip player_id='490012' first='Austin' last='Johnson'] (North Laurel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21. [player_tooltip player_id='331707' first='Kaden' last='Lewis'] (Ballard)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22. [player_tooltip player_id='1121524' first='Isaac' last='Frye'] (Fleming County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>23. [player_tooltip player_id='653475' first='Colton' last='Smith'] (Greenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>24. [player_tooltip player_id='1121516' first='Ben' last='Davis'] (Murray)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->