Stockrisers: 2025 ATH prospects in Kentucky to watch for
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After a sensational year of high school football in the Bluegrass State, it’s time to take a look back at some of the top performers from this past season of action as the offseason continues. After breaking down some of…
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Continue ReadingAfter a sensational year of high school football in the Bluegrass State, it’s time to take a look back at some of the top performers from this past season of action as the offseason continues. After breaking down some of the top defensive lineman prospects, it’s time to evaluate some of the most explosive performers on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball last season. Here’s my list of the top 2025 athlete prospects in the state of Kentucky to pay attention to next season.
Highlights
Darius Akal Darius Akal 6'0" | 155 lbs | ATH Harlan | 2025 State KY , a 6-foot-0, 170-pound athlete out of Harlan High School, was a huge weapon for the Green Dragons on both sides of the ball during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 12 contests last season, Akal became the third-best scoring machine on the roster. On the offensive end, Akal recorded 101 rush attempts for 664 yards and eight touchdowns. Akal also hauled in two receptions for nine yards. On the defensive side, Akal picked up 15 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, two assisted takedowns and one sack. Harlan concluded the 2022 campaign with a 10-4 overall record and a second place finish in 1A District 8 with a 2-1 mark. With excellent size, speed and versatility, Akal contributes explosiveness on both sides of the ball as he showed off his ability to be impactful in several different areas of the field. In addition to consistently gaining yards on the ground and down the stretch, Akal can easily escape coverage on the other side of the ball and quickly pressure the quarterback. Akal will definitely be an intriguing athlete prospect to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
Connor Hodge Connor Hodge 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH Christian Academy of Louisville | 2025 State KY , a 6-foot-1, 160-pound athlete out of the Christian Academy of Louisville, was one of the Centurions’ most efficient offensive and defensive weapons during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 15 contests, Hodge became the fifth-best scoring machine on the roster. On offense, Hodge recorded three completions out of 11 attempts for 30 yards, four rush attempts for seven yards and 30 receptions for 472 yards and eight touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Hodge picked up 31 total tackles, including 19 solo stops, 12 assisted takedowns and three tackles for loss. Hodge additionally recovered one fumble and led the Centurions in interceptions on the year, collecting five total for 74 yards and two scores. The Christian Academy of Louisville closed out the season with a flawless 15-0 overall record and a first place finish in 3A District 4 with a 4-0 mark. With solid size, speed and versatility, Hodge is a gamechanger down the stretch as a receiver. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. can be impactful from anywhere on the field, hauling in quick catches or deep shots down the stretch. On the other side, Hodge contributes excellent toughness and can adapt to whatever opposing offenses have to throw at him. Hodge will definitely be an intriguing athlete to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
Layne Alford Layne Alford 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Franklin-Simpson | 2025 State KY , a 5-foot-11, 193-pound athlete out of Franklin-Simpson High School, was a major offensive and defensive weapon for the Wildcats during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 11 games, Alford became the top scoring machine on the team. On the offensive side of the ball, the rising junior out of Franklin, KY. recorded 57 rush attempts for 336 yards and eight touchdowns, and two receptions for 10 yards and one score. On the defensive side of the ball, Alford picked up 36 total tackles, including 26 solo stops, 10 assisted takedowns, one tackle for loss and two sacks. Alford additionally forced one fumble and led the team in fumble recoveries, recording three. Franklin-Simpson finished the season with a 7-4 overall record and a second place finish in 4A District 2 with a 3-1 mark. In addition to his solid size, speed and versatility on the field, Alford also adds explosive energy and consistency on both sides. Alford showed off his ability to find the openings on the ground, picking up major yards offensively. On the other side, Alford showed off his ability to adapt to the offense’s pace, escape coverage and make impactful stops. Next season, Alford should certainly be an interesting athlete prospect to keep an eye on.
Antonio Harris Antonio Harris 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Louisville Male | 2025 State KY , a 6-foot-0, 170-pound athlete out of Louisville Male High School, was an explosive offensive and defensive weapon for the Bulldogs during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 14 contests, Harris was the second-best scoring machine on the roster, leading all wide receivers on the team. Harris recorded 36 receptions for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Harris picked up 12 total tackles, including nine solo stops, three assisted takedowns and one tackle for loss. Harris additionally hauled in two interceptions for 10 yards. Male concluded the season with a 10-5 overall record and a second place finish in 6A District 4 with a 2-1 mark. With consistency, quickness and the ability to outmaneuver the defense down the stretch, the rising junior out of Louisville, KY. is hard to contain. On the defensive side, Harris can easily muscle through the offense to make stops and quickly apply pressure on the quarterback. Heading into next season, Harris will definitely be an intriguing athlete to watch more closely on the field.
Highlights
Kaleb Cole Kaleb Cole 6'1" | 210 lbs | ATH Newport Central Catholic | 2025 State KY , a 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete out of Newport Central Catholic High School, was one of the most significant offensive and defensive contributors on the Thoroughbreds’ roster during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 13 contests, Cole became the fourth-best scorer on the team. On the offensive side of the ball, Cole recorded 24 rush attempts for 335 yards and six touchdowns, and four receptions for 41 yards. On the defensive side, the rising junior out of Newport, KY. was the second-best tackler on the team, picking up 92 total tackles, including 48 solo stops, 44 assisted takedowns, four tackles for loss and one sack. Cole additionally recorded one fumble recovery. Newport Central Catholic concluded the season with a 13-3 overall record and a first place finish in 1A District 4 with a 4-0 mark. With excellent size, speed and versatility, Cole produces results on both sides of the ball. Cole is not easy to contain defensively as his overall explosiveness help him to pick up speed on the ground. On the other side, Cole’s overall toughness helped him to put pressure on the quarterback and keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage. Cole will definitely be an intriguing athlete prospect to pay attention to next season.
Aiden Blakey Aiden Blakey 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH DuPont Manual | 2025 State KY , a 5-foot-10, 162-pound athlete out of DuPont Manual High School, was a crucial offensive and defensive performer for the Crimsons during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 10 contests last season, Blakey became the third-best scoring machine on the team. On offense, Blakey recorded 22 rush attempts for 83 yards and three touchdowns. Blakey was also the second-best receiver on the roster, hauling in 18 receptions for 324 yards and one score. On the other side of the ball, the rising junior out of Louisville, KY. recorded four total tackles, including two solo stops, two assisted takedowns and one tackle for loss. DuPont Manual finished the 2022 campaign with a 9-3 overall record and a second place finish in 6A District 3 with a 2-1 mark. With solid size, speed and versatility, Blakey is a challenging player to contain on both sides as he can consistently make an impact anywhere on the field, quickly adapting to fit the offensive and defensive schemes and make an impact. Blakey will definitely be worth keeping an eye on next season.
Vincent Carrico Vincent Carrico 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Owensboro Catholic | 2025 State KY , a 5-foot-11, 210-pound athlete out of Owensboro Catholic High School, made more than a few valuable contributions to the Aces on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 13 games, Carrico was the second-best scoring machine on the Aces’ roster. Carrico recorded one completion out of two attempts for 31 yards, 58 rush attempts for 361 yards and eight touchdowns and 16 receptions for 168 yards and three touchdowns. On the defensive end, Carrico was the top tackler on the team, recording 183 total tackles, including 59 solo stops, 124 assisted takedowns, 15 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. Carrico additonally hauled in one interception. Owensboro Catholic finished the season with a 9-4 overall record and a first place finish in 2A District 2 with a 4-0 mark. In addition to solid size, speed and toughness, Carrico contributes commanding energy and explosiveness on both sides. The rising junior out of Owensboro, KY. can quickly adapt and find openings anywhere on the field, making him difficult to contain. Carrico has also established himself defensively, utilizing his toughness to quickly muscle past the offensive line, apply pressure on the quarterback and make important stops. Carrico will definitely be an athlete to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
Justin Brents Justin Brents 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH Louisville Central | 2025 State KY , a 5-foot-8, 160-pound athlete out of Louisville Central High School, was a huge playmaker for the Yellow Jackets’ offense and defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 11 contests, Brents was one of the most valuable scoring weapons on the roster. On offense, Brents recorded four rush attempts for 46 yards, and 10 receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown. On the other side of the ball, Brents recorded 23 total tackles, including 22 solo stops and one assisted takedown. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. additionally hauled in two interceptions. Central closed out the season with a 9-5 overall record and a first place finish in 4A District 4 with a 4-0 mark. In addition to solid size and speed, Brents showed off strong versatility on the field last year as he made an impact offensively with his overall quickness and ability to find running room. On the other side, Brents displays excellent toughness, muscling his way past the offensive line to create pressure, and make stops. Without question, Brents will be a significant athlete prospect to watch closely next season.
Highlights
Ethan Moore Ethan Moore 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Madison Southern | 2025 State KY , a 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete out of Madison Southern High School, was one of the most impactful players on the Eagles’ roster during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 11 contest last season, Moore was the top receiving weapon on the team. Moore hauled in 25 receptions for 415 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Moore picked up 34 total tackles, including 21 solo stops, 13 assisted takedowns and two tackles for loss. Moore additionally forced one fumble and hauled in one interception for 18 yards. Madison Southern concluded the season with a 3-9 overall record and a second place finish in 5A District 7 with a 2-2 mark. With excellent size, speed and versatility, the rising junior out of Berea, KY. made his presence known both offensively and defensively. Moore is a major threat down the stretch as his movement and ability to adapt to the play make him an offensive machine. On the other side, Moore displays solid aggression and toughness as he can muscle past the offensive line and apply pressure on the quarterback. Moore will definitely be a significant athlete prospect to watch next season.
Highlights
Treston Kay Treston Kay 5'8" | 155 lbs | ATH Hopkinsville | 2025 KY , a 5-foot-7, 147-pound athlete out of Hopkinsville High School, was a huge playmaker for the Tigers’ offense and defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 11 games, Kay contributing offensively on the ground and down the stretch, collecting three rush attempts for 18 yards, and 10 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, Kay picked up two total tackles, including one solo stop and one assisted takedown. Hopkinsville finished the season with a 6-6 overall record and a third place finish in 4A District 1 with a 2-2 mark. With solid size, speed and versatility, Kay is difficult to contain defensively as he can haul in passes at a short distance and make completions down the stretch. On the other side, Kay contributes excellent toughness and aggression, and can quickly adapt to the play and put pressure on the offense. The rising junior out of Hopkinsville, KY. will be another intriguing athlete prospect to pay attention to this upcoming season.