2023 Offensive Player of the Year Watchlist
In this article:
With the 2023 high school football regular season coming close to a close, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top performers from the season. With that being said, I will be releasing my watchlists for…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the 2023 high school football regular season coming close to a close, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top performers from the season. With that being said, I will be releasing my watchlists for my Offensive, Defensive, and Two-Way Player of the Year awards for the 2023 season. To kick things off, here is my 2023 Offensive Player of the Year watchlist.
Blaze Berry Blaze Berry 6’2″ | 200 lbs | QB Eminence | 2025 State KY is a quarterback who is having a breakout junior year so far. Through his first eight games, he is the statewide leading passer, completing 169/268 passes for 2,920 yards, 35 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Berry has impressive arm strength which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown solid accuracy, showing the ability to fight passes into tight windows where only his intended receiver can catch it. Berry has also scored on rushing touchdown this season. Blaze doesn’t currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way eventually as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.
Highlights
Another quarterback that has had a strong 2023 season so far is Clay Hayden Clay Hayden 6’1″ | 180 lbs | QB Beechwood | 2025 State KY from Beechwood. Through 10 games, Hayden has completed 154/209 passes for 2,898 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. He has shown that he has the arm talent to stretch the field in and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. Hayden has also shown a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to maneuver in the pocket and escape when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Clay has also scored one rushing touchdown this season. Hayden doesn’t currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.
Highlights
Jack James Jack James 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Paducah Tilghman | 2025 State KY is a quarterback that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. Through nine games, James has completed 17/249 passes for 2,776 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. James has shown impressive accuracy, showing the ability to fit passes into tight windows where only his intended receiver can catch it. He has also shown the arm strength to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. James has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs when needed, carrying the ball 38 times for 201 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Jack currently holds offers from Old Dominion, Miami (OH), Eastern Kentucky, and Troy, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber quarterback prospect.
Another junior quarterback that has continued to impress this season is Deuce Bailey Deuce Bailey 6’1″ | 170 lbs | QB Bowling Green | 2025 State KY from Bowling Green. Bailey has completed 164/226 passes for 2,547 yards, 30 touchdowns, and three interceptions through nine games this season. Deuce has a canon for an arm which he uses to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He has also shown the ability to escape pressure while keeping his eyes down the field to make tough throws on the run. Bailey has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays as a ball carrier, running the ball 34 times for 89 yards and four touchdowns so far. Deuce currently holds offers from Miami (OH), Eastern Kentucky, and Missouri State, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect.
Highlights
Cole Hodge Cole Hodge 6’2″ | QB Christian Academy Of Louisville | 2024 State KY has continued to show that he is one of the top players in the entire state this season. Through nine games, Hodge has completed 175/253 passes for 2,329 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Hodge puts a great amount of touch on his passes, showing the ability to place the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. He also has impressive arm strength which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Cole has also proven to be a threat in the running game, carrying the ball 69 times for 411 yards and three touchdowns so far. Hodge is committed to East Carolina where I can see him being a successful quarterback at the next level.
My final quarterback on this list is Brady Atwell Brady Atwell 6’3″ | 225 lbs | QB Owensboro Catholic | 2025 State KY from Owensboro Catholic. Through nine games, Atwell has completed 189/253 passes for 2,849 yards, 43 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Atwell has a very strong arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown great ball placement, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Brady also is his team’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 33 times for 293 yards and eight touchdowns so far. Atwell currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play quarterback at the next level.
Highlights
Brady Hensley Brady Hensley 6’0″ | 200 lbs | RB Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY has continued to prove that he is one of the top running backs in the entire state this season. Through nine games, Hensley has carried the ball 177 times for 1,675 yards and 31 touchdowns. Hensley is a physical downhill runner that has shown the contact balance to run straight through defenders without breaking stride. He also has the elusiveness and speed in the open field to break away on long runs. Hensley has also played a key role in the passing game, catching 16 passes for 197 yards and four touchdowns so far. Brady is committed to Eastern Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key player for them on offense once he gets there.
Cameron Rogers Cameron Rogers 5’10” | 175 lbs | RB Morgan County | 2025 State KY is another running back that has stood out to me this season. Through nine games, Rogers has carried the ball 127 times for 1,590 yards and 24 touchdowns. Rogers has impressive speed which he uses to get to the outside in a hurry and run away from the defense. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Rogers has also caught six passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, and is electric on special teams, returning one kickoff and one punt for a touchdown this season. Cameron doesn’t currently hold any offers but will definitely be a player to keep an eye over the next couple seasons.
Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 5’8″ | 170 lbs | RB Great Crossing | 2024 State KY is a player that quickly climbed up my radar this season. He currently leads the state in receiving, catching 58 passes for 1,149 yards and 18 touchdowns through 10 games. Johnson is a very dangerous deep threat as he is able to use his quick release and speed to create separation. He is also very impressive in contested catch situations, using his athleticism to go up and catch passes at their highest point. Isaiah recently picked up his first offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a productive receiver at the next level.
Highlights
To wrap up my Offensive Player of the Year watchlist, I have Shaun Boykins Shaun Boykins 6’2″ | 185 lbs | WR North Hardin | 2024 State KY from North Hardin. Through seven games, Boykins has 60 receptions for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns. Boykins has very impressive speed which he uses to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. He is also very dangerous after the catch as he has shown the speed and elusiveness for turn short passes and screens into big plays. Boykins has also scored two rushing touchdowns this season. Shaun is committed to Louisville where I can see him developing into a key piece of their offense once he gets there.