2023 All-Sophomore Team: Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the 2023 high school football season is behind us and we are in a new year, I wanted to take the time to look back at some of the top players from this past season. As we have already done a lot of coverage on the senior class, I wanted to focus on the top players in the 2025, 26, and 27 classes from this past season. After already covering the class of 25, I will now turn my attention to my top players in the class of 2026 from this past season, starting with the offensive side of the ball. </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='283958' first='Cam' last='O'Hara'] continued to show that he is the top quarterback in the state in his class with an outstanding sophomore season. O'Hara led Cooper all the way to the 5A State Championship Game, completing 239/367 passes for 3,361 yards, 47 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 15 games. Cam has very impressive arm strength which he uses to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He also puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. O'Hara also scored one rushing touchdown this past season. Cam currently holds offers from Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay, Miami (OH), and Tennessee State, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber quarterback prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["371230"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"While he had already caught my attention on the defensive side of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] stood out even more on offense as a sophomore. He finished this past season as his team's leading rusher, carrying the ball 148 times for 1,436 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games. Tarter is a hard runner that has shown the strength and contact balance to run straight through defenders without breaking stride. He has also proved to have the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Tarter also finished the season with 10 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns, and returned one kickoff for a touchdown. Daulton continued to impress at linebacker as well, finishing the season as the team's leading tackler with 106, along with 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Tarter doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["401707"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401707' first='Evan' last='Hampton'] is another sophomore ball carrier that stood out to me this past season. He had a very impressive year, carrying the ball 145 times for 1,552 yards and 25 touchdowns in 14 games. Hampton has explosive speed which he uses to burst through the running lane and run away from the defense on long runs. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss once he hits the open field. Evan also finished the season as his team's leading receiver, catching 44 passes for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Hampton recently picked up his first offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["212337"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='212337' first='Trevy' last='Barber'] is a receiver that has been high on my radar for a while now and continues to impress this past season. He played a key role in Bowling Green's 5A State Championship run, catching 84 passes for 1,189 yards and 16 touchdowns in 15 games. Barber is a very skilled route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation from opposing defensive backs. He is also very impressive after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes/screens into big gains. Trevy also threw one touchdown pass and returned one kickoff for a touchdown this past season. Barber currently holds offers from Miami (OH) and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber wide receiver prospect.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["212336"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='212336' first='Marlon' last='Harbin'] is another high caliber receiver from this class that continued to impress this past season. Harbin had a strong sophomore season, finishing with 60 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Marlon has explosive speed which he uses to blow by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. He has also shown impressive contested catch ability, using his athleticism to go up and catch passes at their highest point, and concentration and hands to come away with tough catches. Harbin also returned one kickoff for a touchdown and came away with two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) this past season. Marlon currently holds offers from Kentucky, North Alabama, Louisville, and UT Martin, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber wide receiver prospect.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["894941"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The third and final wide receiver on my All-Sophomore Offense is [player_tooltip player_id='894941' first='Ronald' last='Lunz']. Lunz had a solid sophomore season, catching 40 passes for 589 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. Ronald lines up on the outside where he is able to use his speed to create separation in the deep passing game. He is also dangerous after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big plays. Lunz currently holds offers from Kentucky and Western Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at a Power 4 program.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["401700"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401700' first='David' last='Pellman'] has continued to show that he is one of the top overall players in the state in his class. He has shown the versatility to play at multiple spots on the offensive line. Pellman is a strong, physical run blocker that does a great job of creating movement off the line of scrimmage. He finishes his blocks through the whistle, resulting in several pancake blocks. Pellman currently holds offers from Kentucky, Marshall, Ole Miss, Florida, West Virginia, and Louisville, and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented offensive line prospect.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["224739"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='224739' first='Bo' last='Wolford'] is an offensive lineman that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past season. Wolford lines up at right tackle where he is very impressive as a run blocker. He explodes out of his stance and drives his man several yards down the field. Bo finishes his blocks with a ton of physicality, resulting in several pancake blocks. Wolford doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he is a Division I caliber offensive line prospect.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["283977"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='283977' first='Max' last='Merz'] is an offensive lineman that truly exceeded his already high expectations as a sophomore. Merz lines up at guard where he is a very impressive run blocker. He is very reliable when asked to pull, getting up the field and destroying anything in his path as a lead blocker. Merz also does a great job of creating movement off the line of scrimmage, driving his man several yards down the field to create a running lane. Max currently holds offers from Toledo and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber offensive line prospect.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["971529"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='971529' first='Colt' last='Kelly'] is another offensive lineman from this class that stood out this past season. He played a key role in Boyle County's 4A State Championship run. Kelly has shown the ability to line up at multiple positions on the offensive line and is a true mauler in the run game. He explodes out of his stance and drives his man several yards down the field. Kelly has also shown the ability to get to the second level quickly and pick up blocks in open space. Colt doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["971531"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"To wrap up my 2023 All-Sophomore Offense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='971531' first='Ben' last='Myers']. Myers had a strong sophomore season at right tackle for Paducah Tilghman. He is a very impressive run blocker, showing the ability to drive his man several yards down the field to create a running lane. Myers is also reliable in pass protection, showing the ability to mirror opposing pass rushers off the edge and continue to work to keep them away from his quarterback. Ben doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bb10be2668f"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterback: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401712' first='Jaxon' last='Strautman'] (Frederick Douglass); [player_tooltip player_id='401922' first='Mario' last='Litmer'] (Highlands); [player_tooltip player_id='971569' first='Zakary' last='Anderson'] (Pulaski County); [player_tooltip player_id='401720' first='Maddox' last='O'Neal'] (McCracken County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Running Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401923' first='Markezz' last='Hightower'] (Madisonville-North Hopkins); [player_tooltip player_id='283970' first='JayQuan' last='Crawford'] (Franklin County); [player_tooltip player_id='971534' first='Gerian' last='Traynor'] (DuPont Manual)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wide Receiver: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401704' first='Dylan' last='Lee'] (Ryle); [player_tooltip player_id='331727' first='Chadyn' last='Morris'] (Owensboro)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773246' first='Wyatt' last='Simons'] (Nicholas County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->