Sneaky Good: Some of EKY’s Top Under-the-Radar Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, sites like these are always full of profiles touting the biggest, fastest and flashiest returning players most likely to garner the lion's share of this season's headlines--and deservedly so. However, let us take this opportunity to also give informed shout outs to some of eastern Kentucky's "sneaky good" performers--those athletes that aren't necessarily the ones who attract loads of attention or publicity, but at game's end, they always seem to have produced solid stat lines, impactful plays or impressive performances in crucial moments. The following returning athletes certainly fit that bill and will prove to be critical contributors to their respective teams' outcomes this fall:</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='958997' first='Brody' last='Buck']","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"Floyd Central","_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":"At a legitimate 6'3u0022, Buck possesses the ideal size for a possession receiver and red zone target, allowing him to be a formidable coverage challenge for most defenders in the open field. His combination of above average speed, reliable hands and quality route running makes him a reliable offensive weapon capable of extending drives in obvious passing situations and dictating opponents' coverage packages. In addition to generating 312 yards of offense and a touchdown on 20 receptions last fall, he also gained 27 yards rushing on 3 carries and likely will receive considerably more touches this season. Apart from excelling as a wide receiver, he also demonstrates considerable ability as a safety on defense, where last season he contributed 11 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 tackles for loss and 1 interception.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["707324"],"_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":"While Conley certainly isn't an unknown quantity for the Golden Eagles program, given his injury-plagued junior season, he certainly qualifies as a returning performer that many opposing teams might inadvertently overlook. After breaking out of the gate fast and hard last season, his injury in the third game of the season relegated him to the sidelines until the second week of the playoffs. However, in only five total games (and only two injury-free), his production numbers are definitely eye-popping. Gaining 330 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns on only 36 carries, he clearly is an explosive and versatile running back, making him a top running back prospect in the in the region's 2024 recruiting class. His above average speed and low/forward pad level make him a threat to break through initial contact and turn any play into a game-changing touchdown. And even when not carrying the ball, he clearly demonstrates the willingness to deliver punishing blocks on defenders, generating movement, sustaining contact and finishing through the whistle. With last season's health issues now behind him, look for Conley to attract attention and turn some heads this 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":"Carson Holbrook","_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":"2441","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Paintsville","_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":"Simply by the nature of their position, even the most consistent and dangerous placekickers often can go unnoticed by the casual fans, but that doesn't negate the fact that they inevitably will provide the difference between winning and losing at least once or twice in any given season. Similarly, Holbrook's reliability understandably could prompt some to take his regular contributions for granted, but as any competent coach will tell us, those quietly consistent performers are the ones most integral to their team's fortunes. Connecting on 37 of 38 extra point attempts and 2 of 5 field goals, he has developed himself into a talented and promising high school placekicker, known for his consistent accuracy, sound kicking mechanics, and resilience under pressure. As a kickoff specialist, his ball placement and knack for onside kicks also separates him from most others at his position in the eastern Kentucky area.","_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":"Carter Parsons","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Betsy Layne","_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":"The first year of varsity competition is challenging for any freshman, but that proves even more true when you're the starting quarterback, and last fall Parsons accounted for himself quite well. In 11 total games, he completed 42 of 89 passes for 672 yards and 6 touchdown passes, in addition to gaining an additional 64 yards on 10 rushes and another score. In addition, he also caught 1 pass for another 30-yard touchdown. As a newcomer to the varsity football scene, he clearly managed to make a significant impact on his team's fortunes and promises to become an even more impactful offensive component this fall. In addition to throwing a very accurate and catchable ball on short and intermediate routes, he also will continue to develop additional arm strength that will allow him to stretch defenses vertically and add yet another dimension to his already impressive skill set. Also a part-time defensive contributor last season as a defensive back, he contributed 2 solo tackles, 7 assists and an interception.","_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":"Colt Shelton","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Floyd Central","_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":"As a sophomore starter for the Jaguars, Shelton established himself as a talented, reliable and consistent contributor both offensively and defensively. In his team's 10 games last season, he turned 71 total carries into 397 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, along with 3 additional touches via pass receptions that resulted in another 67 yards and an additional score. Likewise, defensively he proved himself a steady and technically sound performer in the secondary, contributing 35 solo tackles, 12 assists and 1 tackle for loss. With two years of development and competition remaining, it remains unclear whether his primary position will ultimately be on the offensive or defensive side, but for the time being, his skill set, competitiveness and durability are all assets that the Jags' coaching staff is clearly excited to utilize in a wide variety of creative ways.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b8077df2319"} /-->