More 2026 Playmakers in Kentucky to Watch

Following an exciting season of high school football action in the Bluegrass State, it's time to look back at some of the top performers from the field last year. After my last positional breakdown, it's time to continue to look at some incoming sophomore playmakers that established themselves as freshmen. Without any further ado, here's my list of some more 2026 playmakers in Kentucky to watch out for in the upcoming 2023-24 campaign.    At the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='401931' first='Wyatt' last='Robbins'], a 6-foot-1, 165-pound quarterback at Calloway County High School. Robbins made a considerable impact at the helm of the Lakers' offense during his freshman campaign of high school football. What stands out most about Robbins is his quickness off the snap, his ability to remain composed under pressure and his overall arm strength, showcasing his ability to sling accurate deep shots into the backfield. Robbins also impressed with his ability to quickly get the ball out and adapt to the play.    I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='401692' first='Chadyn' last='Morris'], a 6-foot-1, 163-pound wide receiver at Owensboro High School. Morris was an explosive offensive weapon during his freshman season of high school football with the Red Devils last year. In addition to solid size and speed, what stands out about Morris is his quick execution, his ability to push off defenders in the backfield and his consistent catching ability, proving he can haul in receptions from anywhere on the field. Morris is also impactful due to his footwork and route-running ability.    Claiming a third place finish on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='401930' first='Willem' last='McPeake'], a 5-foot-11, 195-pound linebacker at Union County High School. McPeake made his presence known on the defensive side of the ball during his freshman stint of high school football with the Braves. With outstanding size and a physical edge, McPeake caught my attention with his ability to bully the offensive line with his strength as well as quickly apply pressure on the quarterback and other playmakers. McPeake also stood out due to his footwork and ability to stun the offense with his toughness.    Another high-level prospect to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='283970' first='JayQuan' last='Crawford'], a 6-foot-0, 200-pound running back at Franklin County High School. Crawford made a significant difference on the ground during his freshman year of high school football. What made Crawford so efficient is his size, strength and overall durability, proving he can stay on his feet under pressure from the defense. Crawford also proved he can escape the pocket and make it into the backfield. Another aspect of Crawford that stands out is his consistency in breaking tackles as he bolts into the backfield.    Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='283954' first='Baron' last='Hardesty'], a 6-foot-2, 230-pound defensive lineman at Bullitt East High School. Hardesty was a crucial component of the Chargers' defensive unit during his freshman campaign of high school football last season. What stands out about Hardesty is his size, speed and overwhelming defensive strength, showing off his ability to both hit and stun offensive linemen with his physicality. Another aspect of Hardesty's playstyle that stands out is his overall awareness and ability to read the offense like a book.

Following an exciting season of high school football action in the Bluegrass State, it's time to look back at some of the top performers from the field last year. After my last positional breakdown, it's time to continue to look at some incoming sophomore playmakers that established themselves as freshmen. Without any further ado, here's my list of some more 2026 playmakers in Kentucky to watch out for in the upcoming 2023-24 campaign.