Top 2026 Standouts in Kentucky from Championship Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the finale to high school football in the state championships this past week at Kroger Field, it's time to look back at some of the most impactful playmakers from the class of 2026 that left their mark on the field during state title games. This group of sophomore prospects took their game to another level this past week, showcasing their skill on the field while fighting for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 u002du002du003ernrnAt the top of my list of notable performers is [player_tooltip player_id='212337' first='Trevy' last='Barber'], a wide receiver at Bowling Green High School. Barber and the Purples are coming off a 28-14 win over Cooper in the Class 5A title game this past week. In addition to outstanding size and speed off the snap, Barber impresses me with his ability to create seperation in the backfield and consistently get open for deep passes. Barber additionally stands out along the edge, showcasing his ability to pick up speed. Barber is also dangerous in the endzone, proving he can attack the ball in the air to put his team on the scoreboard.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Mj4S0u0022u003eTape: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-65726ba9abe2f"} /--> <!-- 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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnI am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='283958' first='Cam' last='O'Hara'], a quarterback at Cooper High School. O'Hara and the Jaguars fell 28-14 to Bowling Green in the Class 5A championship game last week. What stands out about O'Hara is his footwork, ability to shake pressure and his quick release, proving he can connect with his receiving core anywhere on the field despite heavy pressure. Another aspect of O'Hara's playstyle that makes a considerable difference is his pin-point accuracy and ability to complete challenging passes from along the edge.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Mjn42u0022u003eTape: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-65726ba9abf07"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971529"],"_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='971529' first='Colt' last='Kelly'], an offensive lineman at Boyle County High School. Kelly and the Rebels picked up a 41-0 shutout win over Covington Catholic in the Class 4A title game this past week. What impresses me about Kelly's playstyle is his ability to collapse the pocket and open up the field for the rush with his ability to knock the defensive line around with his aggression and strength. I also like how Kelly can absorb pressure and buy his quarterback time to make plays, stunning the defense with his physical edge and ability to consistently overpower the defensive line.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MiQZSu0022u003eTape: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-65726ba9abfaa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971504"],"_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 was [player_tooltip player_id='971504' first='Bryson' last='Rowsey'], an athlete at Raceland High School. Rowsey and the Rams fell 21-0 to Pikeville in the Class 1A championship game last week. On top of excellent footwork and versatility, what stands out most about Rowsey is his breakaway speed and ability to push off the defense down the stretch. I also like how Rowsey utilizes the edge to haul in completions and race past the defense into the backfield. Another facet of Rowsey's game that makes a difference is his ability to juke out the defense off the snap and boost ground production off the short pass.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MhTDqu0022u003eTape: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-65726ba9ac043"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971503"],"_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='971503' first='Miles' last='Edge'], an athlete at Owensboro Catholic High School. Edge and the Aces fell short 53-48 to Mayfield in the Class 2A title game this past week. What I like most about Edge is his ability to blast the defense in the pocket and shake pressure as he slips into the backfield. Edge has also proven to be a reliable passing target when his quarterback is under pressure, picking up major yardage in crucial situations. On the defensive side of the ball, Edge can make crucial stops, pressure the quarterback and collect important sacks.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MhnVHu0022u003eTape: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-65726ba9ac0e5"} /-->