Meet Courier Journal's All-State football team defense

• Christian Academy lineman Kellan Hall is the No. 1-ranked prospect in Kentucky's sophomore class
• Ryle senior Jacob Savage was a star on offense and defense and has signed with Indiana
• Atherton junior Garyon Hobbs had five interceptions and led the Ravens to the Class 5A state semifinals for the first time

Here’s a look at the 12 members of The Courier Journal’s 2025 first-team All-State football defense, as selected by a statewide vote of coaches. A total of 102 coaches returned ballots. 

Kellan Hall

 

Christian Academy, defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-4/265.

Year: Sophomore.

College: Has 20 scholarship offers, including from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Why he’s on the team: Started on offensive and defensive lines for a Centurions team that finished 15-0 and won its fourth straight Class 3A state title. Posted 53 tackles (20 solo), 17 ½ tackles for loss and 6 ½ sacks. Named Class 3A Lineman of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association. Five-star recruit is the No. 1-ranked prospect in Kentucky’s Class of 2028, according to 247Sports.com.

Coach’s take: “Kellan is a force to be reckoned with,” CAL coach Hunter Cantwell said. “Every time he steps on the field he is the most dominant-looking player, and his play is even more so. Kellan possesses a rare combination of size, speed and strength, and he regularly used it to the detriment of all those who tried to block him. Very few defensive linemen can take over a football game. Even less can wreck the offense completely. Kellan was a game-wrecker this year.”

Darryl Yancey

 

Boyle County, defensive lineman

Height/weight: 5-10/200.

Year: Senior.

College: Has offers from some NAIA schools.

Why he’s on the team: Defensive menace for a Boyle County squad that finished 14-1 and won the Class 4A state title. Finished with 84 tackles (36 solo), 22 ½ tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Also ranked second on the team in rushing (359 yards, eight touchdowns). Was one of nine finalists for the Kentucky Football Coaches Association’s Coach Haywood Lineman of the Year award.

Coach’s take: “One of the most coachable players I have had,” Boyle County coach Justin Haddix said. ‘Plays with a great motor and relentless effort every snap.”

Malachi Brown

 

Corbin, defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-3/265.

Year: Junior.

College: Has more than a dozen offers, including from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

Why he’s on the team: Second-leading tackler for a Redhounds squad that went 10-4 and reached the Class 4A state semifinals. Posted 66 tackles (62 solo), 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He’s the No. 3-ranked recruit in Kentucky’s Class of 2027, according to 247Sports.com.

Coach’s take: “Malachi is big, athletic and a great young man who plays football with a high motor,” Corbin coach Luke Salmons said. “Malachi is a force who is often ran away from and double- and triple-teamed.”

Sebastian Blue

 

Trinity, defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-3/260.

Year: Junior.

College: Has offers from Appalachian State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisville and Southern Miss.

Why he’s on the team: Helped the Shamrocks go 13-2 and win their third straight Class 6A state title. Posted 39 tackles (19 solo), nine sacks, seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Coach’s take: "Sebastian plays with a great motor, has heavy hands and is an excellent pass rusher,” Trinity coach Jay Cobb said. “He is relentless and very physical."

Jacob Savage

 

Ryle, linebacker

Height/weight: 6-1/225.

Year: Senior.

College: Indiana.

Why he’s on the team: One of the state’s top two-way players, he helped the Raiders go 10-4 and reach the Class 6A state semifinals. Posted a team-high 112 tackles (58 solo), 15 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Also rushed for 1,222 yards and scored 29 touchdowns (24 rushing, five receiving). Finished career with a school-record 511 tackles. Named Class 6A Player of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association and was one of nine finalists for the Mr. Football award. Also won the Paul Hornung Award from the Louisville Quarterback Club. Earned second-team All-State honors as a junior.

Coach’s take: “The one thing that stands out is the fire and enthusiasm he has in everything he does,” Ryle coach Mike Engler said. “He leads by example and is relentless as a player and student. The same work ethic that has made him a success on the field and in the classroom can be seen in many other ways and activities.”

Karsten Busch

 

St. Xavier, linebacker

Height/weight: 6-2/230.

Year: Senior.

College:Miami.

Why he’s on the team: Top tackler for a Tigers team that went 10-4 and reached the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs. Finished with 110 tackles (72 solo), 10 tackles for loss and one sack. He also saw limited action at tight end, catching 13 passes for 274 yards and five touchdowns. He’s the No. 1-ranked prospect in Kentucky’s Class of 2026, according to 247Sports.com. Also was a first-team All-State pick as a junior.

Coach’s take: “Rare combination of size, speed, strength and football skill,” St. Xavier coach Kevin Wallace said. “Even more important, a humble, intelligent leader in our school as well as our locker room. Playing inside the box at a top 20-level program will force Karsten to acclimate to bigger, faster and more violent opponents. A successful navigation of that transition will open the door to Karsten becoming a success at Miami.”

Ty Ashley

 

Owensboro, linebacker

Height/weight: 6-2/215.

Year: Junior.

College: Has offers from Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Louisville, Murray State, Penn State and Western Kentucky.

Why he’s on the team: Top tackler for a Red Devils squad that won the Class 5A state title. Posted 148 tackles (43 solo), 10 tackles for loss, four interceptions, three sacks and three fumble recoveries (one returned for touchdown).

Coach’s take: “Ty sets the standard for our defense,” Owensboro coach DeMarcus Ganaway said. “His instincts, physicality and toughness have made him one of the best linebackers in the state as a junior. He prepares the right way, plays with great effort and consistently shows up in the biggest moments.”

Jalen Dantzler

 

Central, defensive back

Height/weight: 6-1/180.

Year: Junior.

College: Has offers from Eastern Kentucky and Miami (Ohio).

Why he’s on the team: Versatile athlete posted 56 tackles (36 solo), six pass breakups and one forced fumble for a Central squad that reached the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. Also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Earned all-district honors as a safety and kickoff returner.

Coach’s take: “Jalen is a long and athletic athlete with elite speed and explosive ability,” said Marvin Dantzler, Jalen’s father and the former Central coach. “He anchored a young Yellowjackets defense against a very strong schedule, covering the field sideline to sideline, and also was a strong contributor in the return game.”

Kayden York

 

South Warren, defensive back

Height/weight: 5-8/165.

Year: Senior.

College: TBA.

Why he’s on the team: Versatile star did a little bit of everything for a Spartans team that finished as the Class 6A state runner-up. Posted 32 tackles (14 solo), four interceptions, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble on defense. Also rushed for 1,056 yards and scored a team-high 25 touchdowns (21 rushing, three receiving, one interception return). Named Class 6A, District Two Player of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Coach’s take: “Simply put, Kayden is a warrior,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “He plays the game with a level of desire and passion that is unmatched. No one has extracted more from their physical abilities than Kayden. He is a remarkable leader and terrific role model.”

Garyon Hobbs

 

Atherton, defensive back

Height/weight: 6-0/215.

Year: Junior.

College: Has multiple offers, including from Clemson, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

Why he’s on the team: Played all over the field for a Ravens squad that reached the Class 5A state semifinals for the first time in program history. Ranked second on the defense with 71 tackles (47 solo), 11 tackles for loss, five interceptions, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Also had a team-high 35 receptions for 583 yards and scored 15 touchdowns (seven receiving, three rushing, three interception returns, one punt return, one kickoff return). Named Class 5A, District Three Player of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Coach’s take: “Impact player on both sides of the ball,” Atherton coach Anthony White said. “You looking for the best pound-for-pound football player in the state? Here you go. He can do it all. No true weaknesses in his game. I've seen him score every way possible.”

J.T. Edge

 

Apollo, defensive back

Height/weight: 6-0/190.

Year: Senior.

College: Murray State.

Why he’s on the team: Leading tackler for an Eagles squad that reached the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Posted 115 tackles (46 solo) and one interception. Also passed for 804 yards and nine touchdowns when starting quarterback Max Johnson was injured and finished the season with four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing).

Coach’s take: “J.T. is a very smart football player,” Apollo coach John Edge said. “He checks our defense out in the correct adjustments and will hit you. He made a huge impact on defense and led our team on and off the field. He will be hard to replace.”

Julian Carroll

 

Somerset, punter

Height/weight: 6-2/140.

Year: Sophomore.

College: TBA.

Why he’s on the team: He’s the No. 1-ranked punter in the nation in the Class of 2028, according to ProKicker.com. Also converted 58 of 58 PAT kicks and 3 of 4 field-goal tries.

Coach’s take: “Julian is a young man with a tremendous amount of talent kicking a football,” Somerset coach Clay Clevenger said. “He has lots of upside, and as he gains strength I believe he can become a Division I punter/kicker. Having a weapon in the kicking game definitely makes a huge difference for our team.”