Lexington 2026s to Watch: Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the month of February coming to an end, the 2025 high school football offseason is in full swing! As we head into a new season, I wanted to take some time to preview some incoming seniors across the Bluegrass state, starting in the city of Lexington. To kick things off, here are some players from the city of Lexington to watch in the class of 2026 on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1632725"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2301516d03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1632725' first='Darnell' last='Burnside Jr'] is my top returning quarterback in the city of Lexington for this upcoming season. He had a strong junior year, completing 93/166 passes for 1,369 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 10 games. Burnside throws an impressive deep ball, showing the arm strength to stretch the field and touch to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. He has also shown a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Darnell also finished last season with 43 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown. Burnside doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should keep an eye on heading into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971535"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2301516d61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971535' first='BJ' last='Evans'] is another talented member of the Tates Creek offense to keep an eye on heading into his senior year. He is coming off a very impressive junior season in which he ran the ball 194 times for 1,799 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games. Evans is a physical downhill runner who has shown the ability to lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders without breaking stride. He has also shown the speed to break away on long runs once he hits the open field. Evans also finished his junior season with 11 receptions for 59 yards. BJ currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber running back prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971537"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2322ece8d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971537' first='Caden' last='Jones'] is a player who caught my attention with a solid junior year. He finished the season with 49 carries for 473 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Jones is an elusive ball carrier, showing the ability to make smooth cuts in the open field to make defenders miss. He also has the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Jones also made an impact on defense at strong safety as a junior, finishing the year with 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326116"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2330f973c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1326116' first='Kamani' last='Barbour'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and will continue to be one of the top players in Lexington this upcoming season. As a junior, Barbour caught 15 passes to 205 yards in 10 games. He has explosive speed which he uses to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. Barbour is also dangerous after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness in the open field to pick up extra yards. Kamani currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312498"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c235090fbd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final 2026 offensive prospect to watch in the city of Lexington this upcoming season is [player_tooltip player_id='1312498' first='Noah' last='Winsley']. Winsley had a strong junior year at left tackle where he was dominant as a run blocker. He explodes out of his stance and does a great job of driving his man through the whistle, finishing his blocks with a ton of physicality. Winsley also does a great job of getting to the second level with a sense of urgency and picking up blocks in the open field. Noah currently holds offers from Miami (OH) and Kent State, and I can see more coming his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->