2024 Prep Redzone KY Combine: 26s to Watch
As we get deeper into the summer, our 2024 Prep Redzone Combine Series is in full swing! This weekend, we will be in Louisville, Kentucky for a stop that looks to be loaded with talent. With that being said, I…
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Continue ReadingAs we get deeper into the summer, our 2024 Prep Redzone Combine Series is in full swing! This weekend, we will be in Louisville, Kentucky for a stop that looks to be loaded with talent. With that being said, I wanted to preview the combine by focusing on some top players in each class that will be attending. After already covering the class of 2025, here are some top 2026 prospects to watch at this weekend’s Prep Redzone Combine Series camp in Kentucky.
Ronald Lunz Ronald Lunz 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR North Hardin | 2026 State KY is a wide receiver that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past season. He finished his sophomore season with 40 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. Lunz is a skilled route runner, showing the ability to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He has also shown the speed to blow by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. Lunz currently holds offers from Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber wide receiver prospect.
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Chayce Burton Chayce Burton 5’10” | 185 lbs | RB Male | 2026 State KY is a player that has seen his stock rise tremendously following a strong sophomore year. Even while splitting carries this past season, Burton still finished the year with 109 carries for 717 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. Chayce is a strong runner, showing the contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss and speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Burton also finished this past season with 11 receptions for 82 yards. Chayce currently holds offers from Louisville, Toledo, and Kent State, and I expect more to come his way as I believe he has the potential to play at the Power 4 level once his time comes.
Dylan Lee Dylan Lee 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Ryle | 2026 State KY is an under the radar receiver who I’ve had on my radar for a while now and am excited to watch in person this weekend. Lee is coming off a strong sophomore year, catching 45 passes for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. Dylan is a dangerous deep threat, using his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs. He has also shown impressive route running ability, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Lee also played a role on defense this past season, finishing the year with 26 tackles and one interception. Dylan doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player that college coaches should keep a close eye on heading into his junior year.
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Karsten Busch Karsten Busch 6’2″ | 220 lbs | LB St. Xavier (Ky) | 2026 State KY is a player that jumped onto my radar following a solid sophomore year. Busch lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. He finished this past season with 45 tackles and four tackles for loss in 12 games. Busch is also impressive when being asked to blitz, showing the ability to time his blitz perfectly and use his speed to burst through his gap before the offensive line can react. He finished his sophomore year with three sacks and several quarterback pressures. Karsten also finished this past season with one interception which he returned for a touchdown, and one receiving touchdown. Busch recently picked up his first offer from Bucknell and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.
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Kristopher Hughes Kristopher Hughes 6’0″ | 185 lbs | ATH Somerset | 2026 State KY is a dynamic athlete who is coming off an impressive sophomore season. On offense, he is an electric ball carrier, showing the speed to break away for a long run at any given moment. He finished this past season with 98 carries for 732 yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games. Hughes has also shown the ability to line up in the slot and do damage as a receiver, finishing his sophomore year as his team’s leading receiver with 34 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns. Kristopher also played a key role on defense as a strong safety/outside linebacker this past season, finishing the year with 85 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions. Hughes doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is a player that has the talent to play multiple positions at the next level.
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Bo Wolford Bo Wolford 6’3″ | 280 lbs | OL Belfry | 2026 State KY is an offensive lineman that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress as a sophomore. Wolford lines up at right tackle where he is truly dominant as a run blocker. He plays with a high motor, showing the ability to keep his feet running through contact, driving his man several yards down the field. When finishing his blocks, Wolford shows a mean streak, driving his man through the whistle and frequently finishing them off with a pancake block. Bo surprisingly doesn’t hold any offers yet but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and I firmly believe that he has the talent to play at the Division I level.
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Kendell Buck-Barber Kendell Buck-Barber 5’7″ | 170 lbs | DB Newport | 2026 State KY is an under the radar defensive back that has continued to stand out to me over the past couple seasons. Barber lines up at safety where he is a true ball hawk in pass coverage, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished this past season with seven interceptions in 12 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. Kendell has also shown the ability to fill the lane and provide support against the run, finishing his sophomore year with 54 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He also finished this past season with 16 receptions for 179 yards, and returned one punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. Kendell doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year.
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My final 2026 prospect to watch in this weekend’s Prep Redzone Combine in Kentucky is Daulton Tarter Daulton Tarter 5’9″ | 200 lbs | ATH Bracken County | 2026 State KY . Tarter is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball for Bracken County. On offense, he is a physical ball carrier, showing the ability to break tackles with ease without losing stride. He finished this past season with 148 carries for 1,436 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games. Tarter also caught 10 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns while also returning one kickoff for a touchdown this past season. He is also the true leader of his team’s defense at linebacker, finishing his sophomore season with 106 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Daulton doesn’t currently hold any offers but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some come his way soon as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.