Under the Radar 2026 Athletes to Watch For

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an outstanding year of high school football action in the Bluegrass State, it's time to highlight some of the most impactful prospects that made their presence known on the field last season. Following my breakdown of some talented 2026 defensive linemen to keep an eye on, here's my list of some under the radar 2026 athletes in Kentucky to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401921"],"_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":"In the first place spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='401921' first='Malik' last='Kirby'], an athlete at Mayfield High School. What impresses me about Kirby is his breakaway speed as well as his ability to create seperation in the backfield to get wide open for the deep pass. On the defensive side of the ball, Kirby stands out with his ability to use his wingspan to haul in the pick as well as knock the ball out of the air.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/17949499/65a156f264deeb0b24ffe0e1u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aecddf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283956"],"_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":"I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='283956' first='Brayden' last='Lightfoot'], an athlete at Warren East High School. Lightfoot stands out on the offensive end with his ability to haul in the short pass and utilize his electric speed to take it all the way to the house. I also like Lightfoot's ability to get in prime position for the deep pass. On the other side, Lightfoot proved he can stun receivers in coverage and shut down passing.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2LhrAFu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aece4a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176972"],"_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":"Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1176972' first='Kay' last='Sharp'], an athlete at Newport High School. Sharp makes a huge difference offensively with his quick execution, his ability to pull ahead of the defense in the backfield and his strong catching. Sharp's speed and versatility comes in handy on defense as he proved he can jump in front of the deep pass, pick off the quarterback and march into enemy territory.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2N3sk4u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aecea0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1076928"],"_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":"Another prospect on my radar is [player_tooltip player_id='1076928' first='Brayden' last='Hall'], an athlete at Madison Southern High School. Hall stands out with his ability to be an efficient passing target from along the edge, proving he can attack the ball in the air and help his quarterback under pressure. On the other side, I like how Hall can overpower receivers in coverage and utilize his height and wingspan to haul in the interception.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17780276/6562a91d7bd2e20be8dcaca6u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aecef3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["335123"],"_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":"Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='335123' first='Logan' last='Smith'], an athlete at Calloway County High School. Smith impresses me with his awareness as well as his ability to catch the quarterback by surprise with his speed and ability to maneuver the field. I also like Smith's ability to shut down the rush. On the offensive end, Smith stands out with his ability to blast past the defense in the pocket and break tackles.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15187768/653ed05bc11a240bd8239b4bu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aecf46"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401717"],"_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":"Also worth mentioning is [player_tooltip player_id='401717' first='Kris' last='Hughes'], an athlete at Somerset High School. Hughes makes a huge difference offensively with his ability to quickly execute off the handoff and march into enemy territory from along the edge. Hughes also has great durability, breaking tackles on his way to the house. Defensively, Hughes stands out with his ability to read the offense and quickly shut down the rush.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16879128/659daf79bed6e70434196364u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aecf98"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1314807' first='Ashton' last='Drakeford']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mercer County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another playmaker to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='1314807' first='Ashton' last='Drakeford'], an athlete at Mercer County High School. In addition to great breakaway speed and catching, what impresses me about Drakeford is his ability to create seperation in the backfield and get in prime position for the deep pass. On the other side, Drakeford stands out with his ability to read the long pass and use his wingspan to haul in the pick.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2NA1t1u0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4b57aed048"} /-->