2022 Prep Redzone KY Awards: Offensive Player of the Year

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Now that the 2022 high school football season has come and gone, it is time to take a look back on another very exciting year. In the state of Kentucky in particular, there was an abundance of talent on display this past season. While it was a very hard thing to do, I have taken a close look at the top performers in every phase of the game and have decided on some end of the year awards for the 2022 high school football season. With that being said, I will kick things off with my 2022 Prep Redzone KY Offensive Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:25px">Finalists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324205"],"_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='324205' first='Jacob' last='Jones'] has been a player that I have discusses on numerous occasions this season as he has continued to prove himself as one of the most dynamic players in the state. The senior quarterback had an outstanding final season, completing 166/263 passes for 2,415 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Jones has an absolute cannon for an arm, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also shows the ability to escape the pocket and keep his eyes down the field to deliver strikes on the run. Jones is also very dangerous as a ball carrier, finishing the season with 205 carries for 1,741 yards and 28 touchdowns. His speed and elusiveness in the open field makes him a threat to take off for a big gain or touchdown at any given moment. Jacob is committed to Grambling State where I see him being a very successful college quarterback.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["328124"],"_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":"Another senior quarterback that stood out to me this season was Bullitt East's [player_tooltip player_id='328124' first='Travis' last='Egan']. Egan had a breakout year in 2022, completing 215/325 passes for 2,934 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Travis has a very strong arm, showing the ability to stretch the field in the deep passing game and zip passes into tight windows in the short/intermediate passing game. He also puts an impressive amount of touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his receivers can get to it. Egan also showed tremendous dual threat ability, running the ball 139 times for 979 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He played a key role in leading Bullitt East to a 6A State Championship win, earning MVP honors in the championship game. Travis currently holds offers from Kentucky Wesleyan and Charleston (WV) and I expect more to come his way as he has the potential to be a very successful college quarterback.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["385949"],"_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":"Pulaski County wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='385949' first='Chandler' last='Godby'] was another player that I talked about very frequently this past season. Godby had an unbelievable senior season, catching 93 passes for 1,6777 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has the speed to run by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game but also has the ability to create separation with his routes. Godby also has the ability to use his athleticism to go up and catch passes at their highest point, even when tightly contested. He also showed value as a returner on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns while also running the ball six times for 83 yards. Chandler is committed to Georgetown (KY) where I expect him to become a key piece of their offense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["385943"],"_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":"In his final season of high school football, [player_tooltip player_id='385943' first='Blake' last='Birchfield'] continued to be one of the most productive running backs in the entire state. The senior running back finished the year with 222 carries for 2,031 yards and 35 touchdowns. Birchfield is the complete package at the position, showing the vision to find the open running lane, burst to hit it in a hurry, then shows the ability to do damage in the open field. Once he hits the open field, Birchfield has the strength/body control to run through tackles without breaking stride, speed to run away from the defense, and elusiveness to make defenders miss. He also showed the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, finishing the season with seven receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Birchfield helped lead Pikeville to a 1A State Championship victory and earned MVP honors in the championship game. Blake currently holds offers from Centre, Hanover, Denison, and Pikeville, and I can see him truly thriving at any of those programs.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["386879"],"_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":"My last finalist for my 2022 Offensive Player of the Year is Lexington Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='386879' first='Max' last='DeGraff']. DeGraff had a surprising breakout season as he was mostly known as one of the state's best kickers but truly shined at receiver. He finished his senior year with 64 catches for 1,425 yards and 21 touchdowns. What stood out the most when watching DeGraff is his explosive speed which he used to blow by defensive backs in the deep passing game. He was also very dangerous after the catch, using his speed to run away from the defense while also showing the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. While he stood out at receiver, Max continued to show that he is one of the best kickers in the state, making 58/59 PATs and 4/6 field goals this season. DeGraff is committed to Kentucky where he will likely be a kicker but he has the talent to play receiver if ever asked to do so.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c88908801e1"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:25px">Winner: [player_tooltip player_id='328124' first='Travis' last='Egan'] - 2023 Quarterback, Bullitt East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">This was a very tight race as there were even more players outside of these top fives that could've made an argument. However, what Egan was able to do this season couldn't be ignored. The way he was able to lead Bullitt East through very tough competition in the highest class in the state of Kentucky was truly impressive. It honestly shocks me that Egan hasn't picked up more offers as his 2022 season, especially his performance during Bullitt East's playoff run, was one of the best that I have seen over the past few years in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->