2025 Preseason All-State Team: 6A Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The time has finally come, Week 1 of 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 the offensive side of the ball, here is my Preseason All-State defense in class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971538"],"_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-68a37cd47100c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971538' first='Josiah' last='Hope'] will be one of the best overall players in the entire state this season. Hope lines up at defensive tackle where he is dominant against both the run and pass. Against the run, he does a great job of using his strength to stack and shed blocks with ease then has shown the speed/high motor to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. He caused a ton of disruption last season, finishing the year with 61 tackles and 19 tackles for loss. As a pass rusher, he is able to use the same strength to bull rush straight through opposing offensive linemen but he has also shown impressive pass rush moves to defeat blocks. Josiah finished his junior year with seven sacks. Hope is committed to Louisville where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283954"],"_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-68a37f88e190d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283954' first='Baron' last='Hardesty'] is the top edge defender in the state in his class. He is a very skilled pass rusher who uses an impressive combination of strength and speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Hardesty is coming off a great junior year in which he finished with 15 sacks. He has also proven to be very disruptive against the run, finishing last season with 61 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. Baron currently holds several Division I offers and I expect that list to continue to grow this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690338"],"_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-68a38089b3cab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final defensive lineman on my Preseason All-State 6A defense is [player_tooltip player_id='1690338' first='Jahbarri' last='Frost']. Frost had a solid junior year at defensive tackle where he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of exploding out of his stance and using his strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field, finishing last season with 32 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to get to the quarterback, finishing his junior year with four sacks. Frost currently holds offers from Iowa State, Western Illinois, and Eastern Michigan, and I expect more to come his way during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401710"],"_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-68a3818f842c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] is one of the best players in the state on both sides of the ball but he stands out the most to me on defense. Savage lines up at linebacker where he has great instincts, showing the ability to read his keys and find the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he sees where the ball is going, he takes perfect angles to the football and uses his speed to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Savage finished last season with 141 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing his junior year with three sacks and an interception. Jacob will also look to continue to be a key component of Ryle's offense after running for over 1,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Savage is committed to Indiana where I can see him being a very productive player at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175788"],"_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-68a384962cdaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] has been one of the best defensive players in the state over the past couple seasons. Busch is a versatile linebacker who has shown the ability to play both inside the box and on the outside. He is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read the play quickly then flow to the ball with a sense of urgency to make the tackle in the open field. Busch finished last season with 59 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer off the edge, using his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease. Karsten finished his junior year with seven sacks. Busch is committed to Louisville where I can see him being a very productive linebacker once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284257"],"_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-68a38c392b4a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To round out the linebacker group in my Preseason All-State 6A defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1284257' first='Tacori' last='Fields']. Fields lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. He reads his keys quickly and explodes out of his stance, using his speed to shoot through the gap and meet the opposing ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Fields is coming off a solid sophomore season in which he finished with 51 tackles. He also recorded half a sack last season as proven to be very reliable in pass coverage. Tacori currently holds offers from Louisville, Marshall, Toledo, UT-Martin, and Southern Mississippi, and I expect more to come his way 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":["1217741"],"_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-68a38d2bdeb62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1217741' first='Allen' last='Evans IV'] is arguably the best man-to-man corner in the entire state. He is a long, athletic corner who has shown the ability to open up and uses his speed to run with opposing receivers with ease to mirror their routes. You won't see quarterbacks targeting him often as he stays in his receiver's hip pocket at all times. When the ball is thrown his way, he reacts with perfect timing and does a great job of fighting across the intended receivers' body to break up the pass. Evans currently holds a long list of Power 4 offers and I expect that list to continue to grow 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":["1596532"],"_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-68a38ee1184a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another incoming junior defensive back from Trinity that has stood out to me is [player_tooltip player_id='1596532' first='Elijah' last='Burns-Crump']. Elijah jumped onto my radar this past season after reviewing his sophomore year film and watching him in person on the camp circuit. He lines up at safety where he is very reliable in 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 impressive ball skills, coming away with two interceptions and returning one of them for a touchdown last season. He has also shown the ability to mirror opposing receivers' routes in man coverage when asked to do so. Burns-Crump currently holds multiple Power 4 offers and I expect more to come his way as he continues to develop 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":["378835"],"_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-68a38f74888ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='378835' first='Jordan' last='Haskins'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now. Haskins lines up at safety where he is a very impressive playmaker in coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then using his speed to break on the ball in a hurry to make a play when it is in the air. Haskins tied for the team lead in interceptions as a sophomore with four. He has also shown the ability to fill the lane and make tackles against the run, finishing last season with 80 tackles. Haskins will also look to continue to make a big impact on offense at receiver after catching 13 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns last season. Jordan currently holds several Power 4 offers and I expect more to come his way during his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401701"],"_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-68a3946301429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401701' first='Corey' last='Warner'] has been one of the most consistent defensive backs in the state over the past couple seasons. He lines up on the outside at corner where he locks down his man with ease in man coverage. Warner uses his physicality to jam receivers at the beginning of their routes then uses his speed to run with them to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, he reacts quickly to make a play, finishing last season with one interception and several pass breakups. He has also shown the ability to provide run support, finishing his junior year with 34 tackles and two tackles for loss. Corey is committed to UMass where I can see him making an early impact once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401927"],"_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-68a39463014b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my Preseason All-State 6A defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='401927' first='Steron' last='Davidson']. Davidson is a versatile defensive back who has shown the ability to play both on the outside at corner and in the slot as a nickel. He is very reliable in zone coverage, showing the ability to drop into his zone and read routes to put himself in a position to make a play. Davidson has also shown the speed to run with receivers in man coverage to mirror their routes. When the ball is thrown his way, Davidson has shown impressive reaction skills, coming away with one interception and several pass deflections last year. He also finished his junior year with 28 tackles and one tackle for loss. Steron will also look to continue to contribute on offense after running for over 200 yards and a touchdown last season. Davidson is committed to Austin Peay State where I can see him eventually being a key contributor in their secondary. </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='283960' first='Cole' last='Rose'] (George Rogers Clark, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1610711' first='Sebastian' last='Blue'] (Trinity, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1665337' first='Juleone' last='Carney'] (Trinity, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1278396' first='CJ' last='Hall'] (DuPont Manual, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='514005' first='Jaquise' last='Smith'] (South Warren, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1665339' first='Deonte' last='Moses'] (Tates Creek, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706076' first='Cohen' last='Campbell'] (North Hardin, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='840738' first='Wyatt' last='Raney'] (Meade County, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1506776' first='Wyatt' last='Highley'] (Great Crossing, 2026); [player_tooltip player_id='1594001' first='Damond' last='Jackson'] (Ballard, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401694' first='Colin' last='Jefferson'] (Male, 2026); Cione Conn (Frederick Douglass, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='400890' first='Sekou' last='Kamara'] (Trinity, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1200560' first='Demond' last='Green'] (Frederick Douglass, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='1706090' first='David' last='Cauley'] (Ballard, 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->