Next Man Up: KY ATH to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are deep into the off-season for the 2023 high school football season, I wanted to start a new series on some players to watch in the state of Kentucky at each position. For this series, I want to focus on some “Next Man Up” prospects. These players include young players that have begun to make a name for themselves, players coming into a bigger role this season, and key players coming off injuries. After already covering the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, I will now turn my attention to some intriguing prospects that make a big impact at multiple positions to keep an eye on heading into the 2023 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423616"],"_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='423616' first='Tayvian' last='Boykins'] is an incoming senior that I see being the go-to playmaker in the Pikeville offense now that senior [player_tooltip player_id='385943' first='Blake' last='Birchfield'] is graduating. Boykins played a key role in their 1A State Championship run last season, finishing with 48 carries for 475 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching 30 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns. As a receiver, Boykins lines up in the slot and uses his speed to pose as a dangerous deep threat. He is also electric after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big plays. Boykins also has lined up as a wildcat/option quarterback where he uses his breakaway speed to take direct snaps for big gains. He also completed 5/11 passes for 70 yards. Tayvian currently holds an offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way during his senior year as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["423798"],"_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='423798' first='Ty' last='Taylor'] is an incoming senior  that gets the job done on both sides of the ball. On defense, Taylor lines up at linebacker and finished this past season with 73 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. He does a great job of reading his keys and getting downhill in a hurry to defend the run. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler. He also has shown some ability in pass coverage, coming away with one interception this past season. Taylor also is a physical runner out of the backfield on offense, finishing his junior year with six carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Ty has yet to receive any offers but should be on the radar of college coaches this season as he has the talent to play multiple positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["735550"],"_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='735550' first='Aiden' last='Blakey'] is an incoming junior that started to make a name for himself this past season. He is a dangerous offensive weapon, doing most of his damage at receiver. Blakey finished his sophomore season with 18 receptions for 324 yards and a touchdown. He has the speed to run by defensive backs in the deep passing game and also has the athleticism to go up and catch the ball at its highest point in jump ball situations. Blakey also has the speed and elusiveness to be very dangerous after the catch. Aiden also ran the ball 22 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns while also returning one kickoff for a touchdown. Blakey doesn't currently hold any offers but has received some college interest and will definitely be a player to watch over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["735553"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='735553' first='Brenan' last='Griffin'] is another incoming junior that stood out to me last season. He had a very impressive year on defense at linebacker, finishing with 110 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery. Brenan does a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball quickly against the run. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Griffin was also impressive on the offensive side of the ball, finishing this past season with 11 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Brenan doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["401921"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='401921' first='Malik' last='Kirby'] is a player that showed some great potential in his first season of high school football. On offense, Kirby mainly played running back and finished the year with 13 rushes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He has impressive vision and the speed to burst through the open lane and run away from the defense. Kirby also completed 7/8 passes for 98 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Kirby lines up on the outside at corner. He finished his freshman year with 25 tackles and one forced fumble. Kirby is very comfortable in coverage and has shown the ability to react quickly to make a play on the ball. He is also a very reliable tackler in the open field against the run. Malik doesn't currently hold any offers but will be a player to watch as his role on both sides of the ball continues to grow.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["212337"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='212337' first='Trevy' last='Barber'] is a player that truly burst onto the scene as a freshman. He did most of his damage as a receiver, catching 47 passes for 737 yards and nine touchdowns. Barber is very dangerous out of the slot, showing very impressive route running skills and the speed to blow by opposing defensive backs. He also has the speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big gains. Barber also has proven to be a very dangerous returner on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns this past season. Trevy doesn't currently hold any offers but has received some college interest and has the potential to become a true Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["212333"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another player that impressed as a freshman this past season is [player_tooltip player_id='212333' first='Cayden' last='Varney'] from Belfry. On defense, Varney plays on the outside at corner and finished this past season with 30 tackles and two interceptions. He is impressive in man coverage, showing the ability to open up and run with receivers to mirror their routes. Varney has also shown the ability to time his breaks perfectly to catch interceptions in stride, returning one interception for a touchdown this past season. On offense, Varney took some carries out of the backfield, finishing this past season with 28 rushes for 140 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one touchdown. Varney doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to watch on both sides of the ball over the next few seasons.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["401686"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another athlete that impressed as a freshman at Belfry is [player_tooltip player_id='401686' first='Aidan' last='Burke']. Burke finished the season as Belfry's leading receiver, catching 17 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. He has impressive speed which he uses to blow by defensive backs in the deep passing game. Burke is also very dangerous after the catch, showing the speed and elusiveness to pick up extra yards. He also proved to be a very reliable blocker in the open field in the run game. On defense, Burke lined up at safety and finished with 33 tackles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns. He is a ballhawk in the secondary, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Burke is also a very reliable tackler in the open field against the run. Like Varney, Burke doesn't hold any offers yet but will be a player to watch as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["401930"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401930' first='Willem' last='McPeake'] is another player that stood out to me as a freshman. He had a solid first year on defense, finishing with 70 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. McPeake is an off-ball outside linebacker and does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry against the run. He does a great job of getting to the ball and is a very reliable tackler in the open field. McPeake also has shown some ability in pass coverage, coming away with one interception this past season. Willem also played a key role on offense, running the ball 32 times for 188 yards and six touchdowns while also catching three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. He has yet to receive any offers but will be a player to watch over the next few seasons.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["283968"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up this list, I have [player_tooltip player_id='283968' first='Isaiah' last='Jackson'] from Rockcastle County. As a freshman this past season, Jackson finished as the team's leading receiver with 41 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. He thrives out of the slot, using his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. Jackson was also used  as a ball carrier, running the ball seven times for 123 yards and a touchdown. When he has the ball in his hands in the open field, Jackson has shown the ability to make defenders miss to pick up extra yards. He also returned one kickoff for a touchdown this past season. Jackson also played a key role as a defensive back as a freshman, finishing the year with 27 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Isaiah hasn't picked up any offers yet but will be a player to watch that could play multiple positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64654c7e19591"} /-->