2025 Rankings Release: Wide Receiver

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are headed into the 2023 high school football season, it is time to release some new class rankings. After updating the 2023 and 2024 rankings, we have now released our initial rankings for the class of 2025. Over the next couple weeks, I will be breaking these rankings down by position. After already covering the quarterback and running back positions, I will now turn my attention to the top wide receivers in the class of 2025 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373809"],"_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='373809' first='Makhi' last='Smith'] is a player that has been high on our radar for a while now that continued to impress this past season. Smith had an impressive sophomore year in which he caught 41 passes for 671 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a very good route runner with an impressive ability to create separation. When the ball is thrown his way, Smith has the athleticism to go up and catch the ball at its highest point, even when tightly contested. After the catch, Smith has the ability to use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big plays. Smith also makes a big impact on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back but I really like what I've seen from him on offense the most. Makhi currently holds offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisville, Western Kentucky, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber receiver.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["373048"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='373048' first='Brock' last='Coffman'] is another talented receiver that had a very impressive sophomore season. Coffman finished this past year with 73 catches for 853 yards and nine touchdowns. He has shown the ability to be successful both in the slot and on the outside, using his speed and route running ability to create separation from defensive backs. After the catch, Coffman shows the speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big plays. He also lines up at safety on defense and is a dangerous returner on special teams as well, returning one kickoff for a touchdown this past season. Coffman currently holds one offer from Eastern Kentucky but I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber receiver with the ability to possibly play at the Power 5 level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["735682"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='735682' first='Aveion' last='Chenault'] is a receiver that has truly started to make a name for himself lately. In his sophomore season, Chenault caught just seven passes for 82 yards but he put together some impressive film. The first thing that pops out when watching Chenault is his superb athletic ability. When the ball is thrown his way, Chenault has shown the ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point, regardless of what type of coverage is on him. He also has very reliable hands and has shown the ability to pick up yards after the catch. Chenault has recently started picking up offers, currently holding offers from Kentucky, Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, and Miami (OH). I expect this list to continue to grow for him as he is a special rising talent that should be a key piece of the Broncos' offense this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["735687"],"_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":"Another wide receiver that had an impressive sophomore season is Breathitt County's [player_tooltip player_id='735687' first='Austin' last='Sperry']. Sperry finished this past season with 41 receptions for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has shown the versatility to produce both on the outside and in the slot. Sperry is most dangerous in the deep passing game where he is able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs. He also has the ability to go up and catch passes at their highest point, making him a very reliable red zone/jump ball threat. Austin currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky but is also a Divison I basketball prospect. It remains to be seen which sport Sperry will choose to play at the next level but it is safe to say that he has a future as a receiver if he chooses to go that route.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["735688"],"_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":"Wrapping up our top five receivers in the class of 2025 is [player_tooltip player_id='735688' first='Derion' last='Talbert'] from Frederick Douglass. Talbert played a key role in the Broncos' 5A State Championship run, catching 12 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He is a very impressive route runner that uses his quick breaks to create separation from opposing defensive backs. After the catch, Talbert has shown the ability to make defenders miss in the open field and also has the speed to run away from the defense to turn a short pass into a big play. Derion currently holds an offer from Miami (OH) and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6424a1497bca9"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Best of the Rest (Players Included in Top 150):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='373043' first='Amontez' last='Woolfolk'] (Louisville Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='735680' first='Jackson' last='Kreutzer'] (Lexington Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='735686' first='Harris' last='Denmyer'] (Pulaski County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='423802' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] (Cooper)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='373807' first='Jaidan' last='Combs'] (Campbell County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='735684' first='Jeffrey' last='Julue'] (Seneca)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='735685' first='Oliver' last='Link'] (Covington Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='735681' first='Xavier' last='Fancher'] (Campbell County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='324212' first='Maurice' last='Stephens'] (Ballard)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='735683' first='Elijah' last='Lilly'] (Scott County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='735679' first='Jaxon' last='Engstrand'] (Central Hardin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->