Kentucky HSFB: 25+ Freshmen (2029) Athletes to Know in 2025

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Kentucky Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall—and the talent is immense.   A few things to remember:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>EVERY SECTION IS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY FIRST NAME</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>This list is NOT final and will be updated by Prep Redzone Kentucky as HS careers progress</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Things change quickly on this level and there may be incorrect information that I simply missed/wasn't aware of</li> </ul>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Top-10 Athlete Prospects</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/ATH-BIG.jpg?w=695" alt="" class="wp-image-1844977" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The Best of the Rest Athlete Watchlist</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Brett-Adkins-body.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1781961" style="width:529px;height:auto" /></figure>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**   [player_tooltip player_id='1365050' first='Antonio' last='Ware'] | Christian County High School - Christian Ware is a prospect that fans of Christian County High School should be very excited about having enter the program as a freshman this season. He's accomplished a lot on the field and off the field in terms of accolades, after being named an Honorable Mention Regional Player of the Year last season, in addition to being selected for Region 1 in the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions tournament last season   [player_tooltip player_id='1787110' first='AJ' last='Middleton'] | Bullit East High School - A versatile prospect that can, and has, played everything from Wide Receiver to Outside Linebacker to various spots in the defensive secondary. He has tweener size -- last listed at 5-foot-8 and 145-pounds. Perhaps a Nickel or Strong Safety spot would suit him best.   [player_tooltip player_id='1781959' first='Brett' last='Adkins'] | Pike County Central - I strongly feel that the best of Pike County Central's [player_tooltip player_id='1781959' first='Brett' last='Adkins'] (see picture above) is yet to be seen...and that's scary. Last season the dual-sport athlete was named an Honorable Mention Regional Player of the Year and I haven't seen a reason to think he's close to reaching his ceiling. At 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds and impactful at any position, he could turn into a top TE, LB or Edge over the next four years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579153' first='Brody' last='Hart'] | Corbin High School - Simply put, line the kid up and watch him make incredible plays. Very special ball skills. Can play Wide Receiver and Running Back on offense, but looks most impressive as a Safety on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664961' first='Easton' last='Hendrickson'] | Corbin High School - At 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds, he's a big kid who sticks out quickly. He's big, strong kid with an excellent frame. As of right now his future seems to be baseball, but he's a nice piece to have. Tight End/Edge seem like the most logical spots. But that could change with how he grows.   Eli Rondy | Allen County - Scottsville High School - A three-sport athlete (football/basketball/track) that transfers in from Barren County. Built more like a Wide Receiver than a Running Back but operated out of the backfield for some of his middle school career. His best sport, by many opinions, is basketball. Obvious plusses with hand eye coordination and spacial awareness on the football field that come from it.   [player_tooltip player_id='1794181' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] | Pikeville High School - Pikeville High School welcomes a tremendously talented freshman group that won a KYMSFA title a year ago. Throughout the season [player_tooltip player_id='1794181' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] was arguable Pikeville's most consistent WR, finishing with a team-high 28 catches for 351 yards and four TDs. Defensively, he finished third with 58 tackles and five sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1662563' first='JaCoveion' last='Bussell'] | Madisonville North Hopkins High School - Was named the KYMSFA Region 2 Division 1 Player of the Year as an eighth-grade. Elite quickness and ball skills. Unanimously thought of as an even better basketball player. If size gets there, he could be a two-sport superstar   [player_tooltip player_id='1311347' first='Kolton' last='Risner'] | Magoffin County High School - On the field and in recruiting databases, the only thing that should be holding [player_tooltip player_id='1311347' first='Kolton' last='Risner'] back from getting serious attention is size. I don't have specifics on his height and weight, but it's obviously below what major CFB programs are looking for. However, one can't argue with results and work ethic...and Risner has both. I'm not a fan of comparisons, but think former two-time Harlan Hill winner (D2 Heisman equivablet) and undrafted FA turned 10-year NFL vet, Danny Woodhead -- that's [player_tooltip player_id='1311347' first='Kolton' last='Risner'].   [player_tooltip player_id='1786998' first='Liam' last='Kolks'] | Boone County High School - On the smaller side in terms of height and stature, but inevitably dangerous with the ball in his hands. Played Quarterback last year but doesn't look like a QB, and is a significantly bigger threat when using his speed in open field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1665490' first='Nathaniel' last='Rogers'] | John Hardin High School - I'm a firm believer that I still don't think I've/we've seen [player_tooltip player_id='1665490' first='Nathaniel' last='Rogers'] at whatever position he ends up at long term. He's played Wide Receiver, Edge, Linebacker and everywhere in between during his middle school career. He's a very athletic kid with a body that lends itself to multiple positions, depending on how he fills out. Stay tuned here.   Ryan Kelsey | Johnson Central High School - Kelsey was a one-man wrecking crew for Region 3 during the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in March 2025. Workhorse Running Back doesn't even begin to describe his contributions during the weekend-long tournament. He may be a very productive high school RB for Johnson Central, but I'm not sure where his long term position could be -- Safety? Outside Linebacker, maybe even RB long term? All I know, is that he's also a wrestler and the kid doesn't ever say 'No' to a challenge   [player_tooltip player_id='1651416' first='Saurin' last='DeShields'] | Madison Southern High School - He looks like a Running Back, he's built like a Running Back and has a Running Back running style -- but DeShields can play all over. An interception-happy Outside Linebacker on defense and somewhere between a Slot Wide Receiver and Running Back on offense.     <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/AJ-middleton-body.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1790313" style="width:525px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Additional Watchlist Athletes</h2>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1787196' first='Bentley' last='Simmons'] | Allen County - Scottsville High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1794261' first='Jazarion' last='Robinson'] | Bryan Station High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1794270' first='Jesse' last='Duncan'] | Woodford County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1413545' first='Maddox' last='Young'] | Henderson County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1651960' first='Ryker' last='Yates'] | Johnson Central High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1365086' first='Ty' last='Palmer'] | Christian County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1790252' first='Tyler' last='Larson'] | Ryle High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1790309' first='Wiley' last='Feese'] | Adair County High School</li> </ul>

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Kentucky Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall—and the talent is immense.