These KY Quarterbacks and Receivers Will Excel in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's face it, the roles played by quarterbacks and receivers vary a great deal depending upon the interplay of offensive philosophies and skill sets at work within their respective programs. For example, lining up in an offensive structure that runs the football over 85 percent of the time, life as a wide receiver might not seem quite as exciting, glamorous or varied as those enjoyed by positional counterparts in many of today's more pass-happy, 50-50 run-pass systems. However, when successful, even run-oriented offenses set up lots of opportunities for big receptions, and quality performers will have prepared to make the most of every moment and find ways to turn even routine play-action or screen/intermediate routes into exceptional plays. And of course, regardless of the offense executed, athletic, judicious quarterbacks typically spearhead the most productive and successful squads. With those dynamics in mind, here are some of Kentucky's returning wide receivers and quarterbacks most likely to excel this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Henry","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Estill County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Henry clearly has embraced his role in an Engineers' offense that opts to move the football predominantly through a tough and sound double-wing/double slot running game. A consistently reliable run-blocker, he also takes full advantage of his chances in those less frequent moments when he's targeted in the passing game. Impressively, his pre-snap demeanor, energy level and stance do not vary whether his team opts to pass or run, and in the running game, he employs intelligent approach angles, a fundamental blocking posture and targeted, active hands on contact. As a receiver, his explosive get-off enables him to establish the separation/space necessary to make crisp intermediate cuts and give his passer a clean target. In 12 games last season, he collected 17 total receptions for 281 yards (16.5 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns. Also an active, consistent defensive back, Henry contributed 10 solo tackles and 11 assists while intercepting 3 passes and recovering 1 fumble.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["283968"],"_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":"Few freshmen in Kentucky made a bigger  impact for their team last fall than Jackson did for the Rockets and their 75-25 run-to-pass offense. In addition to leading their receiving corps with 41 catches, 391 yards and 2 touchdown receptions in 11 games, he also added 7 more offensive touches via the run game, good for another 123 yards and an additional score. Exceptionally fast and physical for a first-year performer, he displays excellent vision, very quick and efficient change-of-direction mechanics and strong ball skills when called upon in critical situations. Also a consistent contributor defensively who always seems to finish plays around the football, he collected 24 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery (a scoop-and-score for yet another touchdown). And don't overlook his ability to impact the game via special teams, either, as he proves to be a consistent threat as a kick returner, taking 1 kickoff back for a touchdown last fall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Caleb Moore","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Rockcastle County","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Despite missing half of the 2022 season due to injury, Moore proved himself a talented, multi-skilled and dynamic signal caller, and his return for a healthy senior season has Rocket teammates and fans alike excited for the possibilities of even bigger accomplishments this fall. An accurate and technically proficient passer, he completed 39 of 69 attempts last season for 529 yards and 1 touchdown. Likewise, he displays the athleticism and durability needed to extend plays, escape rushers and confound defenses with his feet, rushing the ball 33 times for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns. With his penchant for both passing and running, Moore provides his offense that added dimension of variability that defensive coordinators simply must account for, and in doing so, he opens up even more opportunities to distribute the ball to a number of his talented teammates.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Layden Rawlins","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Estill County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A large and imposing physical presence, Rawlins has the appearance of a prototypical tight end and displays the first step, balanced demeanor and finish to consistently service a run-first offensive system with effective blocking in the ground game. However, he also possesses the athleticism, speed and ball skills to align wide and create some very difficult match ups for opposing secondaries. In 12 games last season, he hauled in 18 catches for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Engineers, and just as impressively, even when not the primary target, he supports passing plays with a quick take-off, intelligent angles/cuts in his route-running and the ability to block even smaller, quicker defenders in the open field. As an old coaching adage goes, u0022You can't coach size,u0022 and Rawlins certainly passes the look test. Moreover, his skill set and consistency ensure that he will attract the attention of numerous next-level recruiters this fall.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Woods","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Madison Southern","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Primarily playing the quarterback position from a deeper, shotgun alignment, Moore displays the skill set, vision and competitiveness to guide a successful and varied offensive attack. While typically not employed in facets of the Eagles' strong inside running game, when called upon to move the football through the air, he displays the mechanics, quick release and mobility to accurately deliver the ball, particularly when hitting shorter peripheral routes and intermediate combination routes between the hash marks. In addition, he possesses many of the intangibles that distinguish quality performers at his position, including an uncanny ability to draw defenders offsides with deceptive hard counts. In 10 total games last fall, he completed 71 of 165 pass attempts for 988 yards and 9 touchdowns.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641b3a9cd530c"} /-->