Kentucky's Top Returners: Class of 2024 Defense

After a sensational season of high school football in the Bluegrass State, it's time to look back at some of the most explosive performers that are being primed to return to the field next season. After breaking down some of the most impressive returning offensive prospects, it's time to shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball as we analyze some of the top returning defenders from around the state. Here's my list of Kentucky's top returning 2024 defensive prospects to watch more closely this upcoming season.    [player_tooltip player_id='381930' first='Major' last='Brown'], a 6-foot-0, 200-pound linebacker out of Lexington Christian Academy, was one of the most explosive defensive weapons on the Eagles' roster during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 13 contests last season, Brown was the top tackler on the team, picking up 136 total tackles, including 86 solo stops, 50 assisted takedowns and eight tackles for loss. The rising senior out of Lexington, KY. also hauled in one interception for five yards. Lexington Christian closed out the 2022 campaign with a 9-6 overall record and a 3-0 finish in 2A District 4. With great size, speed and toughness, Brown is a challenge to contain as he can quickly create pressure, escape coverage and make important stops.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K0U9L">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='313820' first='DeAndre' last='Malone'], a 6-foot-0, 220-pound linebacker out of Louisville Male High School, was one of the more efficient weapons on the Bulldogs' defense during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 15 contests last season, Malone was the third-best tackling machine on the team, picking up 98 total tackles, including 45 solo stops, 53 assisted takedowns, 13.5 tackles for loss and seven defensive sacks. The rising senior out of Louisville, KY. additionally forced two fumbles. Male finished the season with a 10-5 overall record and a 2-1 mark in 6A District 4. What makes Malone such a solid defender is his his size, speed and overall awareness as he can quickly escape coverage, put heavy pressure on the offense and make commanding stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16218250/638f673719af930ae86ebdb1">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'], a 5-foot-9, 175-pound athlete out of Bell County High School, was a crucial piece of the Bobcats' defensive efforts during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 13 contest last season, Thomas became the fifth-best tackling machine on the team, picking up 87 total tackles, including 70 solo stops, 17 assisted takedowns, six tackles for loss and five defensive sacks. The rising senior out of Middlesborough, KY. additionally forced one defensive fumble and made two fumble recoveries. Bell County closed out the year with a 10-3 overall record and a 4-0 finish in 3A District 5. Thomas is such a weapon on the defensive end because of his size, speed and ability to consistently break free from the offensive line, put pressure on the quarterback and make significant stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14099659/63211ddab534d80c74ab5cc4">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='423800' first='Jd' last='Crump'], a 6-foot-2, 205-pound athlete out of Hart County High School, was one of the most significant defensive playmakers on the Raiders' defense during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 12 contests last season, Crump was the fifth-best tackling machine on the roster, picking up 85 total tackles, including 30 solo stops, 55 assisted takedowns, seven tackles for loss and five defensive sacks. The rising senior out of Munfordville, KY. also forced one defensive fumble. Hart County finished out the season with a 9-3 overall record and a 3-1 finish in 3A District 2. In addition to solid size and speed, Crump contributes excellent toughness as he can muscle past the offensive line to apply defensive pressure and make stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15143523/637bb56a4210260838b92a4a">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='423720' first='Montel' last='Campbell'], a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back out of Ballard High School of Louisville, was a huge defensive gamechanger for the Bruins during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 14 contests last season, Campbell was the sixth-best tackling machine on the roster, picking up 76 total tackles, including 34 solo stops, 42 assisted takedowns, one tackle for loss and one defensive sack. The rising senior out of Louisville, KY. also led the team in interceptions, picking up three for 12 yards and one score. Ballard closed out the season with an 11-3 overall record and a 2-0 finish in 6A District 5. With great size, speed and toughness, Campbell is a physical defender that can easily escape coverage, apply pressure on the offense and make gamechanging stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14943804/63a5ed60bed66208a8b38655">Tape: </a>    [player_tooltip player_id='305210' first='Isaiah' last='Hare'], a 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman out of Bullitt East High School, was one of the most significant defensive contributors on the Chargers' roster during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 15 contests last season, Hare was the third-best tackler on the roster, picking up 74 total tackles, including 37 solo stops, 37 assisted takedowns, 15.5 tackles for loss and four defensive sacks. Hare additionally forced three defensive fumbles and recorded two fumble recoveries. Bullitt East finished the year with a 14-1 overall record and a 3-0 finish in 6A District 4. With great size, speed and toughness, Hare has consistently been able to keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage, utilizing his physicality and quickness to apply pressure and make significant stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13614596/6375118b3dec7a03544ad4cc">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='381906' first='Wick' last='Dotson'], a 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back out of Bowling Green High School, was one of the most efficient defensive weapons on the Purples' roster during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 15 contests last season, Dotson became the fifth-best tackling machine on the team, picking up 70 total tackles, including 39 solo stops, 31 assisted takedowns and two tackles for loss. The rising senior out of Bowling Green, KY. additionally returned a fumble to the house for a 16-yard score and led the team in interceptions with five for 45 yards. Bowling Green closed out the 2022 campaign with a 12-3 overall record and a 3-0 finish in 5A District 2. With excellent size, speed and game awareness, Dotson is a physical defender that can apply pressure on the offense, make explosive stops and consistently haul in interceptions.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15077896/6390120f4210b705280381e2">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='423658' first='Jack' last='Chappell'], a 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker out of North Laurel High School, was one of several explosive defensive weapons on the Jaguars' roster during his junior stint of high school football last year. In 11 contests last season, Chappell made more than a few significant contributions, picking up 52 total tackles, including 15 solo stops, 37 assisted takedowns, five tackles for loss and two defensive sacks. The rising senior out of London, KY. additionally forced one defensive fumble and hauled in one interception for 12 yards. North Laurel finished the season with a 6-5 overall record and a 1-2 mark in 5A District 8. With great size, speed and toughness, Chappell is a physical defender that can quickly muscle his way past the offensive line, keep offensive playmakers at bay and make commanding stops.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12362314/62449528bd6bf313703d527b">Tape:</a>

After a sensational season of high school football in the Bluegrass State, it's time to look back at some of the most explosive performers that are being primed to return to the field next season. After breaking down some of the most impressive returning offensive prospects, it's time to shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball as we analyze some of the top returning defenders from around the state. Here's my list of Kentucky's top returning 2024 defensive prospects to watch more closely this upcoming season.