Top Returning Offensive Playmakers in EKY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From dual-threat quarterbacks to playmaking wide receivers, eastern Kentucky has a number of dynamic, talented offensive threats returning to their stadiums this year, and based upon their past production, this season promises to provide countless opportunities for memorable contests and breakout performances. Whether extending plays and creating in the open field or making the difficult look easy with polished ball skills, the following athletes are among the region's best and project to play major roles in their squads' offensive fortunes this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='952650' first='Aden' last='Barnett']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Magoffin 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":"In an injury-shortened junior season, Barnett demonstrated the ability to do a little bit (or a lot) of everything offensively for the Hornets in only 7 games, completing 44 of 95 pass attempts for 747 yards and 9 touchdowns in his first meaningful time behind center. Also a deceptively fast and elusive runner, he gained over 900 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns on just 83 carries, for an average of almost 11 yards per rush. This same athleticism also translates well to the defensive side, where his efforts in the secondary produced 17 solo tackles, 23 assists and 2 interceptionsu002du002dboth of which he turned into pick-6's via 95 total return yards. Given the versatility and exceptional nature of his athletic skill set, he projects quite favorably for multiple postions/roles at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Bradley Nickell","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Morgan County","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"As the Cougars' starting quarterback for 10 games last fall, Nickell demonstrated steady, continual improvement in the passing game, finishing the year with 0ver 500 yards and 5 touchdowns to serve as a springboard for development this season. The more accomplished facets of his current gameu002du002dhis speed, athleticism and decision-makingu002du002dmake him a challenge to defend, particularly in situations that enable him to create in space like speed options and/or perimeter RPOs. On 75 carries, he added 350 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. He also mans a free safety spot defensively, where he demonstrates increasing range and ball skills, finishing last fall with 20 solo tackles, 14 assists and 1 fumble recovery.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Gage Short","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Knott County Central","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Despite his sophomore season being shortened to 6 games as a result of untimely injuries, Short demonstrated the natural athleticism, competitiveness and skill development to have Patriot fans excited about the prospects of two more seasons with him behind center. Completing 33 of 61 passes for 570 yards and 4 touchdowns, he proves equally effective whether throwing within the tackle box or moving the pocket, and his ability to create/extend plays with his legs comprises an additional challenge for defenders. When not eluding rushers in order to buy time for his intended receivers to work open, his 44 carries yielded 247 rushing yards and resulted in four additional touchdowns.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["735687"],"_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":"Sperry's trajectory is certainly ascending, and this tall, talented wide receiver has Bobcat fans more than just a little excited to watch his development for his remaining two seasons. In leading his team's receiving corps last fall, he hauled in 41 catches for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games, comprising averages of almost 22 yards per touch and a touchdown scored roughly every third touch! Primarily aligning opposite the offensive formation's passing strength, he invites single coverage by alignment, and his height, length and impressive ball skills make him an exceptionally challenging matchup for defenders. Of course, bracketing or otherwise doubling up on him also results in a number of opportunities for his offensive teammates, so even when the ball is distributed elsewhere, Sperry contributes consistently by demanding more than his proportional share of defensive attention and commitment.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Isaac Turner","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Breathitt County","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The second-leading receiver for the Bobcats last season, Turner returns for his senior season as half of perhaps the most talented pair of wide receivers in eastern Kentucky and certainly one of the top statistically. In 12 total contests last fall, he hauled in 34 receptions for 595 yards and 5 touchdowns, in addition to 8 rushing attempts and 87 yards. Primarily aligning as a slot receiver in balanced or trips formations, he enlists an explosive take-off, efficient footwork and smooth directional changes to create space, and his ability to make defenders miss after securing the football truly separates him from other comparable receivers. Also a skilled and durable defender at cornerback, he also collected 23 solo tackles, 21 assists and 3 takeaways (1 fumble recovery and 2 interceptions).","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643ff4647d5e0"} /-->