Impactful 2026s in Kentucky to Watch
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As the opening kickoff to the high school football season in the Bluegrass State is right around the corner, it’s time to highlight some intriguing players to keep an eye on this upcoming season. Today, we will be looking at…
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Continue ReadingAs the opening kickoff to the high school football season in the Bluegrass State is right around the corner, it’s time to highlight some intriguing players to keep an eye on this upcoming season. Today, we will be looking at some rising sophomore prospects that made a name for themselves on the field last season. Without any further ado, here’s my list of some highly impactful 2026s in Kentucky to watch out for on the field this upcoming fall.
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At the top of my list of standouts is Trevy Barber Trevy Barber 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Bowling Green | 2026 State KY , a 5-foot-9, 155-pound wide receiver at Bowling Green High School. Barber was one of the most explosive playmakers on the Purples’ roster during his freshman stint of high school football last season. In 15 contests, Barber was Bowling Green’s second-best receiving weapon, hauling in 47 receptions for 737 yards and nine touchdowns. The rising sophomore out of Bowling Green, KY. stands out due to his size, speed and quick execution off the snap. Barber showcased solid movement on the field, durability under pressure and efficient catching down the stretch.
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I am additionally impressed with Colin Daniels Colin Daniels 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB North Oldham | 2026 State KY , a 6-foot-4, 185-pound quarterback at the Christian Academy of Louisville. Daniels received valuable minutes at the helm of the Centurions’ offense as a freshman last season. In 10 games, Daniels threw 21 completions out of 34 attempts for 249 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to great size and speed, the rising sophomore out of Louisville, KY. impresses due to his footwork and overall arm strength, proving he can complete significant passes down the field even under heavy defensive pressure.
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Another highly explosive player to watch is Mason Griffin Mason Griffin 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB South Laurel | 2026 State KY , a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback at Knox Central High School. Griffin made a big difference under center for the Panthers during his freshman stint of high school football last season. In 10 games, Griffin threw 42 completions out of 81 attempts for 514 yards and four touchdowns. The rising senior out of Barbourville, KY. additionally made 24 rush attempts for 53 yards. What stands out most about Griffin is his overall athleticism and well-balanced playstyle, showcasing solid arm strength, a quick release and pin-point accuracy down the field.
Claiming the number four spot on my list is Marlon Harbin Marlon Harbin 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Saint Xavier | 2026 State KY , a 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver at Saint Xavier High School. Harbin made his presence known offensively during his freshman year of high school football with the Tigers last season. In 12 contests, Harbin was Saint Xavier’s top receiver, hauling in 24 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns. With outstanding size, speed and versatility, the rising sophomore out of Louisville, KY. made a big difference down the stretch, muscling defensive backs in the backfield and pushing off defenders to get in prime position for his quarterback.
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Coming in at number five on my list is Isaiah Jackson Isaiah Jackson 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Rockcastle County | 2026 State KY , a 5-foot-11, 170-pound athlete at Rockcastle County High School. Jackson made a difference both offensively and defensively during his freshman stint of high school football with the Rockets. In 11 games, Jackson recorded seven rush attempts for 123 yards and one touchdown, and 41 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Jackson picked up 27 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and three assisted takedowns. The rising sophomore from Mt. Vernon, KY. also forced two fumbles, made one fumble recovery and hauled in two interceptions. In addition to excellent size and speed, Jackson stands out due to his footwork, versatile playstyle and overall athletic playstyle, proving he can contribute in multiple different positions.