Ohio Preseason Spotlight: Jefferson County (Offense)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we reach the four-month window until the 2023 football season begins, we will spotlight some of Ohio's prospects to watch for this season. Today we will focus on Jefferson County in Mid-East Ohio. Here are some prospects you need to keep an eye on for the offensive side of the ball in Jefferson County for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747912"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":803702,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Starting off with the signal callers in Jefferson County and you won't find many 2025 QBs in the state of Ohio with a higher upside than Toronto's [player_tooltip player_id='747912' first='Zebulin' last='Kinsey']. Kinsey is already a physical specimen standing at 6'3 and a strong 215 pounds and only a rising junior. Oftentimes quarterbacks get a bad rap as not being tough but you'll have no issues with that with Kinsey as he's also a starting linebacker for his Red Knights squad and is often tasked with running the ball on designed QB runs. With his size, he's capable of absorbing many hits during games and is often a load for opposing defenders to bring down. Kinsey has plenty of athleticism to go with his size and also a strong arm to make all of the throws. He's still a bit raw in the passing game but with all of the natural tools he has, we expect him to fine-tune that part of his game in his next two years of high school and reach another level.rnrnWith continued development there's no doubt [player_tooltip player_id='747912' first='Zebulin' last='Kinsey'] has D1 potential and possibly even P5. It will be very exciting to watch how the 2025 QB develops over his next two years. He is also a standout baseball player that could reach the Division 1 level in that sport as well if he chose to.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16038294/Zebulin-Kinseyu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/KinseyZebulinu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_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":803746,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Lucas McAllister","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Steubenville","_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":"The second quarterback name to know in Jefferson County for the 2023 season is another 2025 QB with Weirton Madonna (WV) transfer Lucas McAllister. McCallister will suit up for the storied Steubenville Big Red program this fall which has produced many high-level athletes over the years. It will be quite the change for McAllister going from small WV high school football to Division IV Ohio football and the tough yearly regional schedule that Steubenville High School plays. He also goes from an offense that loved to spread people out and throw the ball all over the field to a more run-heavy pro-style offense at Steubenville. It will be very interesting to see how McAllister handles this change but he will certainly have the talent around him to be put in a position to be successful. We are confident and are sure he is too that he can make this transition and elevate his game in the next two seasons. We wouldn't classify him as a true dual-threat QB but he certainly has the ability to escape the pocket and get downfield quickly if needed.rnrnDuring his sophomore campaign, McAllister threw for over 2,600 yards while tossing 28 touchdowns.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16376902/Lucas-Mcallisteru0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/LucasMac125u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_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":805516,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Savier Faulks","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Steubenville","_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":"Steubenville has a long tradition of producing quality running backs and that will continue with 2024 RB Savier Faulks. Faulks had a strong junior campaign while splitting time with a pair of talented senior Big Red backs. During his junior year, Faulks eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark and scored 10 touchdowns including a breakout performance against Cincinnati Wyoming in the Ohio Divisoin IV semifinal with 182 yards rushing and a touchdown. While he isn't the biggest running back at 5'10 165, Faulks is a speedy back with some wiggle to him. With two senior running backs graduating he will likely have an even bigger role and have a stellar senior year. Faulks is also a quality wrestler and a standout runner on his Track u0026amp; Field team.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/18240243/Savior-Faulksu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/SavierFaulks4u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644c1e7ed9da8"} /--> <!-- 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":803682,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Talan McClurg","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Edison (Richmond) ","_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":"Moving on to the running back position, Edison (Richmond) High School RB Talan McClurg is a name you need to know for the 2023 season. Entering his senior season, McClurg has been a stalwart in the Wildcats' backfield since his freshman year and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns this past season in just 7.5 games due to injury. This included a 313-yard and two-touchdown performance against Harrison Central in week 8. McClurg was a big reason why his Edison Wildcats squad finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record, the first in school history, and a playoff berth. He is a well-balanced back at 5'10 and 195 pounds that can beat you with speed or run through you and break tackles. With hopefully an injury-free senior season, we expect McClurg to have another 1,000-yard rushing season and potentially flirt with a 2,000-yard season after his Wildcats' team graduated some top offensive talent off last season's squad.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16931432/Talan-McClurgu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/McclurgTalanu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_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":803690,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Zion McGee","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Indian creek","_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":"Another running back name to know that has been a mainstay in his backfield since he was a freshman is 2025 RB Zion McGee of Indian Creek High School. The three best plays for the Indian Creek Redskins last year were Zion McGee left, Zion McGee right, and Zion McGee up the middle. Needless to say, McGee was the primary component of his team's offense last season. While he's not the biggest at 5'9 185, he has some shiftiness and speed to give opposing defenses trouble. He can get lost behind his offensive line and squeak through the line and bust some big runs for big plays. While he may not be a power back, he's still hard to bring down and will not go down on just arm tackles. You can tell he spends a lot of time in the weight room and is built well for just a rising junior and a smaller back.rnrnKeep an eye on this 2025 RB in his next two years of high school. He will be one of the top running backs in the region for his class.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16213848/Zion-Mcgeeu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/Zionmcgee24u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["284621"],"_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":"2024 WR/TE [player_tooltip player_id='284621' first='Isaac' last='Hill'] of Steubenville High School needs no introduction. Hill burst onto the scene last year breaking his school's record for receptions, receiving yards, and TD receptions which is a major feat considering the number of very talented players to come through the storied Steubenville Big Red program. In his junior campaign, Hill brought in 59 receptions for 981 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hill was rewarded for his 2022 contributions by earning his first two Division 1 offers from Bowling Green and Western Michigan respectively. At 6'4 215, Hill could play WR or TE at the next level and also has a laser timed 4.6 40, 80 in. wingspan and 10 in. hands. As he enters his senior year, Hill is already considered a Top 100 player in Ohio and 7th ranked TE.rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16723127/Isaac-Hillu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/isaachill_18u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":803732,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1114060' first='Cayden' last='Benton']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Toronto","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The biggest, pun intended, name to know for offensive linemen for the 2023 season in Jefferson County is 2024 OT [player_tooltip player_id='1114060' first='Cayden' last='Benton'] of Toronto High School. Benton is a colossal 6'6 and 260 pounds and is very athletic given his size. He also has a basketball background and is a standout on the hardwood. While he's still filling out his long frame and adding weight, Benton has some of the highest upside at his position in the 2024 Ohio OL class. He may be a bit of a project, but if you're a D1 University there's no doubt you should take a chance on him. Benton has good athleticism because of his basketball background and has good feet with a long wingspan. He still needs to keep adding muscle and strength but with a college strength and conditioning program that should be easy for him to do. He also needs to keep ironing out his blocking fundamentals and learn to use his size and length to his advantage. He also starts on the defensive line for his Red Knights team and could play on that side of the ball too at the next level. However, we see his ceiling being higher at offensive tackle, and could be a major steal for a D1 school if he flies under the radar his senior year.rnrnWhile he may still be raw and a bit of a project, there is so much untapped potential and upside with 2024 OT [player_tooltip player_id='1114060' first='Cayden' last='Benton'].rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14953233/Cayden-Bentonu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e | u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/CaydenBentonu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644c1e7ed9fd2"} /-->