Receivers and QBs Promising to Light Up SEKY’s Skies in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As spread formations and more balanced offensive attacks have evolved over the past few decades, this region has produced more than its share of talented, accomplished quarterbacks who rank among the most prolific in Kentucky's history, and not coincidentally, many of the state's most dynamic and productive pass receivers have developed and thrived alongside them. And happily, it appears that the upcoming 2023 season promises to add another chapter to this aerial tradition, with several key signal callers and receivers returning from memorable, breakout performances last year and projecting to surpass even those this fall. Whether distributing the ball to their team's top play makers or extending/finishing plays with their athleticism, several returning quarterbacks are poised to improve upon their already impressive resumes, and some very experienced, skilled returning receivers are more than ready to follow suit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373793"],"_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":"Collett's ability to survey defenses before the snap, quickly diagnose coverages and deliver the football quickly was a major component of the Eagles' 2022 offensive attack, and fans around the region are excited to see what this talented competitor can do for an encore. Starting all 11 games of his sophomore season, he completed 146 of 263 pass attempts for 2,228 yards and 30 touchdowns alongside 52 carries for 341 yards rushing and another 4 trips to the end zone. In addition to his consistent accuracy and knack for fitting the ball into very tight windows on intermediate routes, his quick release and ability to extend plays with his feet and athleticism seem the most prominent elements of his skill set. Whether throwing with his feet set or releasing the ball on the move, his ball placement remains exceptional and he displays the increasing ability to u0022throw his receivers open,u0022 particularly on the downfield routes, by placing balls in locations where they can't be contested by defenders.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Noah Kilburn","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Perry County Central","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Primarily an outside receiver most often running intermediate and deep routes, Kilburn started 10 games for the Commodores as a sophomore, collecting 36 total receptions for 527 yards and 3 touchdowns. Often aligned to the side opposite the passing strength as a sophomore, he demonstrated sure handedness and a knack for occupying open spaces in those instances when he attracts single coverage or high-to-low zone looks. In addition, his downfield blocking fundamentals and consistently high effort lend a completeness to his skill set that ensures consistent, valuable contributions. Athletically, he possesses the skills necessary to catch the football at its highest point and the speed required to get behind defenders who fail to play with enough cushion.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["654297"],"_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":"Rice returns for his senior season after a truly impressive 2022 campaign in which he was an integral part of the Tigers' noteworthy resurgence and finished as the #2 passer in Kentucky Class AAAA. Starting all 11 games, he completed 154 of 241 pass attempts for 2,417 yards and 36 touchdowns while also carrying the ball 30 additional times for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He never appears uncertain or rattled even when facing adversity, and he typically seems to diagnose defensive coverages pre-snap, often delivering the ball on underneath/intermediate routes almost instantaneously after receiving the ball. Equally impressive is his ability to thrown accurately on the move, and on sprint out passes or moving pockets, he exhibits no hesitation to pull the ball down and run versus soft perimeters. Entering his final season as a four-year starter, many are excited by the prospects of an exciting, successful end to one of the more impressive and accomplished SEKY quarterback careers in recent memory.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["417272"],"_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":"A big, physically mature and athletic competitor, Slone started all 10 games for his Commodores in 2022, completing 121 of 225 passing attempts for 1,672 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. In addition, he gained 289 yards rushing on 66 carries and another 7 scores on the ground. Equally comfortable and effective whether receiving the snap under center or in the shotgun, his versatile skill set makes him adaptable to a variety of offensive systems/philosophies, and while predetermined quarterback runs have not comprised a large proportion of the offensive calls he executes, they do prove to be largely successful and likely could become more common alternatives if/when needed. One facet of his current game that likely warrants attentionu002du002dinterceptions and the choices that lead to themu002du002dwill certainly improve with additional reps and experience, so all indications for a successful senior season are strong.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["518257"],"_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":"One of the more exciting and dangerous receivers to play in this region recently, Wagers will return for his senior season after establishing himself as a player with the ability to damage opponents in a number of ways, whether offensively, defensively or on special teams. In his 11 games in 2022, he collected 53 receptions for 889 yards and 12 touchdowns while also returning 4 kickoffs for touchdowns and even returning one defensive interception 68 yards for a score. In total, he averaged almost 10 points per game and ended his junior season as the #3 receiver in Kentucky's Class AAAA, and given his speed, elusiveness and vision in the open field, he certainly appears capable of matching or surpassing those numbers this fall. Whether catching the ball over his shoulder, behind the line of scrimmage or across the middle of the field, his motions are smooth and appear effortlessly natural. Meanwhile, his ability to quickly/efficiently change his direction without losing any discernible speed makes him an exceptionally effective route runner and a threat to break plays from anywhere on the field.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f15a189efcb"} /-->