Explosive 2026 Stockrisers in Kentucky to Watch For

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another week of high school football action in the books, it's time to visit the Bluegrass State to highlight some of the most explosive sophomore playmakers that have made their presence known on the field this year. Here's my list of some high-level prospects from the class of 2026 that have left their mark and established themselves as top tier gamechangers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283958"],"_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":"At the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='283958' first='Cam' last='O'Hara'], a quarterback at Cooper High School. O'Hara stands out due to his ability to stay locked in and quickly execute in the air, utilizing both his arm strength and accuracy to push the offense into solid field position. I also like O'Hara's ability to hit his receivers in stride on deep passes and put his team on the scoreboard. Another aspect of O'Hara's playstyle that impresses is his footwork and ability to stay on his feet under pressure.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LZB6Xu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6542f2eb449d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212337"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnI am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='212337' first='Trevy' last='Barber'], a wide receiver at Bowling Green High School. Barber impresses me with his breakaway speed and ability to attack the ball in the air, showing off his solid footwork and catching ability all season long. Barber's physicality in coverage also stands out, proving he can handle defensive pressure down the stretch. I also like how Barber can utilize his quickness after the catch, maneuver the field and break tackles on his way to the house.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MLwy2u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6542cbd9ecac0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283954"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnClaiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='283954' first='Baron' last='Hardesty'], a defensive lineman at Bullitt East High School. Hardesty has made a huge difference defensively with his ability to quickly drop the quarterback to the ground off the snap, using his physical edge to punch through openings in the pocket. Hardesty also makes an impact with his ability to read the offense and disrupt the rush, blasting the defense in the pocket. I also like Hardesty's strength and stopping power, shoving the offense back behind the line of scrimmage.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LnALUu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6543e37881086"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283970"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnAnother skilled prospect to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='283970' first='JayQuan' last='Crawford'], a running back at Franklin County High School. Crawford's ability to pick up speed in the pocket and stay on his feet under pressure has made a considerable offensive difference this season, proving his ability to escape the defense into the backfield and take it all the way to the house. Another aspect of Crawford's playstyle that impresses is his ability to maneuver the field and break tackles, dodging and weaving the defense as he barrels into the endzone for the touchdown.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LyCvBu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6543e378810ec"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["979820"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnComing in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='979820' first='Landon' last='Farmer'], an athlete at Corbin High School. Farmer makes his presence known down the stretch, showing off his ability to juke out the defense with his footwork and quickly turn around to haul in passes. I'm additionally fond of Farmer's ability to gain significant yards after the catch, pushing the offense into the backfield with his ability to use bursts of speed to run through the defense and reach the endzone. Farmer also proved his ability to catch challenging passes in the endzone, even under heavy coverage.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MKrRqu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6543e37881152"} /-->