Eastern KY 26s to Watch: WR/TE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head deeper into the month of June, the 2025 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, I wanted to take some time to highlight some incoming seniors in specific areas of the state of Kentucky. To continue these series, I will be taking the next week to highlight some incoming seniors at each position in Eastern Kentucky. After already covering the quarterbacks and running backs, here are some notable wide receivers/tight ends to watch in the class of 2026 in Eastern Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952673"],"_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-6859c097034ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='952673' first='Kadin' last='Thompson'] was one of the more productive receivers in the state last season, catching 49 passes for 1,164 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games. He does a great job of using his speed and smooth breaks in his routes to create separation with ease. Thompson also has very reliable hands, showing the ability to catch passes away from his body, even through contact. Kadin doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have on their radar this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6859c55c2a49f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971504' first='Bryson' last='Rowsey'] has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior, catching 25 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. Rowsey has explosive speed which he uses to blow by defensive backs in the deep passing game. He has also shown the ability to use his speed and elusiveness in the open field to pick up yards after the catch. Bryson also scored one rushing touchdown as a junior. Rowsey currently holds multiple offers and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1516814"],"_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-6859c55c2a50a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1516814' first='Mikey' last='Hager'] is a receiver who caught my attention when evaluating junior year film. Hager is very impressive with the ball in his hands in the open field, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness to turn screens/short passes into big gains at any given moment. He has also shown the ability to use his speed to create separation in the deep passing game. Mikey finished this past season with 17 receptions for 306 yards and three touchdowns in six games. He also made an impact on defense as a junior, finishing the year with 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. Hager doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971545"],"_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-6859c7b925383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971545' first='Eli' last='Pietrowski'] is the top returning tight end in the entire state in his class. He lines up on the outside as more of a big body wide receiver where he is a very reliable target in the passing game. Eli has the speed to pose as a deep threat and he is very reliable in jump ball/contested catch situations, using his athleticism to go up and catch the ball at its highest point. He finished this past season with 18 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. Pietrowski also made a big impact on defense, finishing his junior year with 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, and four sacks. Eli currently holds offers from Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State, Marshall, Appalachian State, and Western Michigan, 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":["1655650"],"_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-6859c7f38f413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1655650' first='Gabe' last='Conley'] is another talented tight end from Eastern Kentucky. Conley is a traditional tight end who is used as a vertical threat in the passing game. He has the speed to run by opposing defenders and the catch radius to make tough catches in traffic. Gabe finished this past season as his team's leading receiver with six catches for 115 yards in 12 games. He is also a very reliable blocker in the running game, showing the ability to run his feet through contact to drive his man out of the picture to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Gabe should definitely be a player who college coaches should have on their radar this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->