Offensive Players to Watch for: KHSA Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today marks a brand-new set of content for the Prep Redzone Kentucky page! Last year, I built a similar content series that targeted top-performing players that were distinguished by each separate state division class. Like the main inferences I made last year regarding all the state class(s) talent as a whole, the state of Kentucky has relatively equal distribution between each one. From 1A to 6A high school football, there is no shortage of talent in any position. Today, I will be looking at some offensive players I would watch for playing in the 1A division while the next post will look at the defensive prospects.</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":"Arguably one of the most dynamic runners in division class 1A football in Kentucky, [player_tooltip player_id='423616' first='Tayvian' last='Boykins'] is a truly electrifying athlete to watch on the field. Whether he is running with the ball after a completed catch or a handoff to him, Tayvian can use his top-level speed and athletic mobility to be cleared for takeoff. His speed of changing directions is almost “video game” like as he can make extremely sharp cuts with little room but in an instant. Unlike most players at his position, Tayvian has field vision like a quarterback, in which he can fully observe and find weak defensive gaps to run to. With that being said, Boykins specializes in being able to improvise and make plays even when the odds are severely against him. An underrated trait he uses is that he can use his momentum to strengthen past incoming defenders to block off their tackles. As of May 2023, Tayvian has received an offer from the University of Pikeville, but I believe more will come near the end of the 2023 season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KEWY1u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["408036"],"_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":"Troy is one of the top route runners in his entire state 1A class. The 6'1 incoming senior had a productive season for Kentucky Country Day School, recording 31 receptions for 704 yards u0026amp; 6 receiving touchdowns. Troy's abrupt lateral movements enable him to hit sharp jabs to get past the opposing DB to get himself open for a pass. Especially on a man defensive set, if Troy's defender is not getting help from a safety, chances are he is going to blow by you on a deep route. Along with his superior route running is his ability to take lots of hits after the catch. Troy does not make it easy for defenders to take him down, as his strong leg drive helps him keep up and continue running at high speed despite previous contact being made by those same defenders. Furthermore, when receiving the ball, Humphrey's eye coordination to stay locked onto the incoming pass to him is amazing, as it helps him make even the most difficult passes with lots of contest. Troy has held a couple of college visits but no official collegiate offers have been announced this spring. I believe this will change in the coming future.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JudBAu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_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":"Demetrick Welch","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Newport Central Catholic High School ","_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":"Demetrick Welch makes his opposing defenders look weak nearly every time he steps foot onto the football field. Welch, a 6'0 200lb 2024 grad from Newport Central Catholic High School, record 143 rushing attempts for 1,346 rushing yards u0026amp; 17 touchdowns in 13 games played (9.4 yards per rush) this past 2022 season. When Welch runs with the football, he seemingly never loses any stamina physically as he can continue to take multiple hits before he can finally be brought down by half the defensive unit. Not only is he considered to be one of the strongest HBs in class 1A ball, but his agility running the ball is mesmerizing to watch. Whether he can hurdle an incoming defender or hit 2-3 defenders with a quick spin move to get even closer to the endzone, Demetrick has an abundant number of dynamic tricks up his sleeve to drive his way past the defense. The same can be applied to when he receives a pass on a quick hitch route, Welch can earn lots of yards on the catch for his offense by being able to drive his way past defenders and juke past them to score. I am not surprised at all that he has already received an offer from Thomas More University, but another year left of high school football allows him to further develop his already high-level game to attract more college recruits.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KxUynu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["331741"],"_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 talented QB who happens to play with [player_tooltip player_id='423616' first='Tayvian' last='Boykins'] listed above, [player_tooltip player_id='331741' first='Isaac' last='Duty'] is the real deal. The 6'5 2025 grad recorded an extremely accurate season throwing the football by completing 68.1% of his passes for 1,506 passing yards u0026amp; a 21:1 TD/Int ratio in 13 games played. When throwing out of the pocket, Duty can always throw the ball at the correct alignment for the receiver to grab it in the sweet spot despite lots of initial contact by an opposing DB. Isaac makes the game much easier for his receivers by throwing accurate darts to their chests every throw and being able to dodge blitz pressure by finding the open receivers every time he escapes the pocket. Although not a primary dual-threat quarterback like many QBs try to mimic in today's generation of Football, Duty possesses great lateral quickness to help him dodge incoming blitz pressure and give him more time to find an open receiver to throw to. Speaking of patience, Duty is one of the best at finding the right receiver for the best play at the right time. In other words, Isaac always knows when it is the right time to throw the ball vs when it is NOT time to throw it. Many young quarterbacks lack the patience to wait for an opening to develop long after the play has been snapped, which ends up increasing the odds of a forced turnover. But since Duty has this patience, his TD/Int ratio was a staggering 21:1, as he only threw 1 interception in 13 games played with 144 passing attempts thrown. With only one collegiate visit to EKU as of 2023, the future is bright for Isaac and the next few years of Pikeville high school football.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JgkYFu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_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":"Nate Goodin","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Williamsburg High School ","_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":"Nate possesses top-tier hand-eye coordination when compared to most receivers in the 2025 class. Goodin, a 6'1 170lb WR from Williamsburg High School, recorded 29 receptions for 615 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns in 10 games played (21.2 yards per reception) during the 2022 season. The reason why I say his hand-eye coordination is top-tier is due to the number of acrobatic catches he is making when in the air. Whether the ball is higher or lower than him, or with 2+ defenders attempting to deflect the pass, Goodin can effectively lock in on the incoming pass and still make the grab. This makes it nearly impossible for most DBs to make a defensive stop on Nate unless they can get a hand on the football before it reaches Nate's hands. Nate also has hands like glue which even with some tangible contact by his hands will be enough for him to catch the incoming pass. The last reason why his excellent hand-eye coordination plays a crucial role in his talent level at receiver is that it helps Nate accelerate even quicker once his legs are already in the right position to take off. Goodin's receiving mechanics and foot alignment help him propel himself instantaneously once he fully grasps the football. As of 2023, it is uncertain what offers Goodin holds or what Goodin chooses to do after high school sports is over, but he certainly has the potential to play at the next level and should be looked at further by recruiters.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jpkqwu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6476d39661989"} /-->