Behind the Rankings: 2024 Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">The 2022 high school football season is in full swing and we have released our initial player rankings for the state of Kentucky. After already covering the class of 2023, I have been taking the past couple weeks to focus on this year's junior class. I have covered both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball so now I will turn my attention to some players that get the job done in multiple positions. With that being said, here are our top athletes in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6333bec31161e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381910"],"_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 the top spot is a player that I believe to be one of the most underrated players in the entire state. [player_tooltip player_id='381910' first='TelTel' last='Long'] is an explosive play maker that is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He is coming off a solid sophomore season in which he ran the ball 110 times for 75o yards. He lines up in a slot back position and is used as a ball carrier from that spot. Long uses his speed to get around the edge and is very hard to catch once he turns up the field. He also has great vision in the open field as a ball carrier along with very impressive moves to make defenders miss. On defense, Long lines up at safety and does a great job of reading receivers and the quarterback when dropping into zone coverage. He uses his speed to cover ground quickly when the ball is in the air and has the ball skills to catch the ball at its highest point to come away with interceptions. Long doesn't currently hold any offers but they should come soon as I believe he has the skill set to play at the Division I level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["313674"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313674' first='Sage' last='Dawson'] has been a huge addition to Boyle County over the past couple seasons, already helping them win a state championship last year. He has them off to a great start this season with an undefeated record so far as their starting quarterback. Dawson is a true dual-threat quarterback with the ability to throw the ball down the field and also tuck the ball and use his speed and elusiveness to make big plays on the ground. Before this season, he also showed promise at receiver. On defense, he is a very talented defensive back with the ability to turn and run with receivers in man coverage, and stay in their hip pocket. He also has tremendous ball skills with the ability to break on the ball to break up passes and also go up and catch passes at their highest point to come away with interceptions. Sage currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky but I expect more to come as he has been receiving a lot of college interest and has the potential to be a difference maker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["381938"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='381938' first='Noah' last='Wallace'] is another big time difference maker on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a very dangerous ball carrier, showing the ability to burst through the running lane and run through tackles on his way to the end zone. He also has the speed to run away from the defense and ability to make defenders miss in the open field.  Last season, Wallace finished the year with 151 carries for an impressive 1,028 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wallace has also proven to be a reliable blocker in the run game when he isn't getting the ball. On defense, Wallace plays defensive back and does a great job of filling the running lane and making tackles in the open field. He also has great route recognition skills and has shown the ability to break on the ball at the perfect time to come away with interceptions. While he doesn't have any offers at the moment, I expect them to come for him soon as he has the talent to play at the college level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["381888"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='381888' first='Caden' last='Woolum'] looks to be one of the next in line of talented Belfry football players. He lines up in the prominent slot back position in Belfry's famous triple option/wishbone offense. As a ball carrier, Woolum uses his speed to get around the edge and get up the field to run away from the defense. He has also shown the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. On the rare occasion that Belfry decides to throw the ball, Woolum has shown the ability to use his speed to get open and pose as a deep threat. On defense, Woolum lines up at safety and does a great job of filling the lane to provide support against the run. He also does a great job of reading the play in the passing game, breaking at the perfect time to make a play on the ball or at least make a tackle as soon as the ball is caught. Caden doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect them to come over the next couple seasons as he has been receiving college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["408037"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408037' first='Nehemiah' last='Brown-Hamlin'] is yet another player in this junior class that plays a key role on both sides of the ball. On offense, he lines up in the slot back position. As a ball carrier, he uses his speed to get around the edge and then run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He also has great vision with the ability to find the cut back lane and hit it in a hurry. Nehemiah has also shown ability as a pass catcher, using his speed and quickness to create separation from opposing defensive backs. On the defensive side of the ball, he is a very talented defensive back, showing the ability to read route concepts and break at the right moment to make plays on the ball. He also has tremendous ball skills, showing the ability to go up and catch interceptions at the highest point. Nehemiah also does a good job of coming downhill and making tackles in the open field against the run. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, he definitely deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">Best of the Rest (Players included in Top 125):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">6. [player_tooltip player_id='423796' first='Dejour' last='Fogle']| 5'10", 195 lbs.| Bryan Station High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">7. [player_tooltip player_id='423797' first='Lukus' last='McDaniels']| 6'6", 220 lbs.| Jeffersontown High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">8. [player_tooltip player_id='423798' first='Ty' last='Taylor']| 6'1", 215 lbs.| Franklin County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">9. [player_tooltip player_id='313668' first='Kelson' last='McKinney']| 6'0", 210 lbs.| Green County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">10. [player_tooltip player_id='423799' first='MarQuevion' last='Smith']| 5'7", 160 lbs.| Tates Creek High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">11. [player_tooltip player_id='381914' first='Brajone' last='Dabney']| 6'0", 160 lbs.| Mayfield High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">12. [player_tooltip player_id='313661' first='Price' last='Aycock']| 6'0", 175 lbs.| Calloway County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">13. [player_tooltip player_id='423800' first='JD' last='Crump']| 6'2", 205 lbs.| Hart County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">14. [player_tooltip player_id='381887' first='Dre' last='Young']| 6'1", 200 lbs.| Belfry High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">15. [player_tooltip player_id='331708' first='Journey' last='Wyche']| 5'10", 185 lbs.| Ballard High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">16. [player_tooltip player_id='317390' first='Brody' last='Benke']| 6'4", 220 lbs.| Highlands High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">17. [player_tooltip player_id='150754' first='Nathan' last='Riddell']| 5'8", 160 lbs.| Carroll County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">18. [player_tooltip player_id='381925' first='Jeb' last='Wilkerson']| 6'0", 180 lbs.| Pikeville High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->