Next Man Up: KY Wide Receivers/Tight Ends to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are deep into the off-season for the 2023 high school football season, I wanted to start a new series on some players to watch in the state of Kentucky at each position. For this series, I want to focus on some “Next Man Up” prospects. These players include young players that have begun to make a name for themselves, players coming into a bigger role this season, and key players coming off injuries. After already covering the quarterbacks and running backs, here are some wide receivers and tight ends in the state of Kentucky to keep an eye on heading into the 2023 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735682"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='735682' first='Aveion' last='Chenault'] is a player that has started to pick up some interest this off-season. As a sophomore, Chenault caught seven passes for 82 yards. Chenault is a very impressive athlete, showing the ability to go up and catch the ball at its highest point, making him a very reliable jump ball threat. He is also a smooth route runner, showing the ability to create separation with the breaks in his routes. Chenault also has the speed to turn up the field and pick up extra yards after the catch. Aveion currently hold offers from Kentucky, Miami (OH), Illinois, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber athlete that will continue to see his role grow in a high-powered Frederick Douglass offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["735688"],"_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":"Another incoming junior wide receiver to keep an eye on at Frederick Douglass is [player_tooltip player_id='735688' first='Derion' last='Talbert']. As a sophomore, Talbert caught 12 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. The first thing that stands out with Talbert is his impressive route running ability. He has quick breaks in his routes which he uses to create separation from opposing defensive backs. Talbert is also very dangerous after the catch, showing the speed to run away from the defense and elusiveness to make defenders miss. Derion currently holds an offer from Miami (OH) but I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect at receiver.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["735686"],"_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='735686' first='Harris' last='Denmyer'] is another receiver in the 2025 class that will be coming into a bigger role this season after being the WR2 in Pulaski County's offense behind senior [player_tooltip player_id='385949' first='Chandler' last='Godby']. Last season, Denmyer finished with 39 receptions for 771 yards and eight touchdowns. Denmyer lines up on the outside and is a very dangerous deep threat, using his speed to run right by opposing defensive backs to create separation. He is also explosive after the catch. Denmyer has the speed to run away from the defense but also has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field along with the strength to break tackles without losing stride. While Harris doesn't currently hold any offers, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["418723"],"_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='418723' first='Traevon' last='Berry'] is a receiver that I have high expectations for going into his senior year. As a junior, he was in a crowded receiver group with three seniors to split targets with but he still finished with 29 receptions for 343 yards and two touchdowns. Berry is a long, athletic wide receiver that lines up on the outside and uses his speed to pose as a very dangerous deep threat. He is also a good route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Berry also has a very high catch radius which he is able to use to his advantage to win in jump ball situations. Traevon currently holds one offer from Wright State but I expect more to come his way soon as he has received a lot of college interest and has the talent to be a very productive receiver at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["523030"],"_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='523030' first='Santana' last='Crayton'] is another wide receiver that I'm expecting to have a big senior year. He was the WR2 in the PRP offense last season behind senior [player_tooltip player_id='403366' first='Jakob' last='Dixon'] but still caught 29 passes for 478 yards and seven touchdowns. Crayton has very explosive speed which he uses to run right by defenders to create separation in the deep passing game. He is also electric with the ball in his hands, using his speed to run away from the defense after the catch. Crayton has also shown that he has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. He also scored one rushing touchdown and returned four punts for touchdowns this past season. Santana doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way during his senior year as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["212336"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='212336' first='Marlon' last='Harbin'] is a wide receiver that stood out to me as a freshman this past season. Harbin finished his first year of high school football as his team's leading receiver with 24 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Marlon thrives on the outside where he is able to use his quick release and speed to run right by opposing defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. I also like his ability to track the ball, showing the ability to look passes in over his shoulder and catch the ball even when tightly contested. He is also able to use his speed after the catch to turn up the field and turn short passes into big gains. While Marlon doesn't currently hold any offers, he is definitely a name to watch over the next few seasons as he has received some college interest and has the potential to become a highly sought after receiver prospect.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='971545' first='Eli' last='Pietrowski']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Corbin","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another wide receiver that is coming off an impressive freshman year is [player_tooltip player_id='971545' first='Eli' last='Pietrowski'] from Corbin. Pietrowski finished his first season of high school football with 22 receptions for 317 yards and four touchdowns. He is a big, athletic wide receiver that lined up mainly in the slot this past season. Eli is a smooth route runner with very reliable hands and a high catch radius. He is also very dangerous after the catch, showing the speed to run away from the defense and elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Pietrowski has also proven to be a very reliable blocker in the run game, showing the ability to pick up blocks in the open field and drive his man down the field, finishing his blocks with a ton of physicality. Eli currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky but I expect more to come his way over the next few years as he is a Division I caliber prospect at receiver.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Josh Campbell","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Paducah Tilghman","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Josh Campbell is a receiver that started to impress this past season. As a sophomore, he finished with 14 receptions for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Campbell lines up mainly on the outside where he is a very dangerous deep threat. He is able to use his speed to his advantage to run right by opposing defensive backs to create separation down the field. Campbell also has shown the ability to adjust to the ball to make a catch, whether he is over or under thrown. While Campbell doesn't currently hold any offers, he is a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons as he has the potential to be a very good wide receiver prospect that college coaches will show interest in.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["735735"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Moving over to the tight end position, [player_tooltip player_id='735735' first='Graham' last='Dunn'] will be one of the top players in the state at the position this season. Last year, Graham was the TE2 in the Frederick Douglass offense behind senior [player_tooltip player_id='385960' first='Thomas' last='Howard'] but still caught three passes for 40 yards. In the passing game, Dunn runs routes like a receiver and has very reliable hands. He also is dangerous after the catch, using his speed to get up the field to pick up extra yards. Dunn is also a very reliable blocker in the run game, showing the ability to wall off the defender to create a running lane for the ball carrier. Graham currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Miami (OH), and I expect that list to grow this season as his role in the offense will likely be substantially bigger in his senior year.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["401924"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401924' first='Micah' last='Akin'] is a tight end that wasn't used a ton in CAL's offense last season but has a ton of potential. He finished his freshman year with two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown in the nine games he played in. Akin is a reliable short yardage target, especially in the middle of the field. He has shown that he has very reliable hands, even when taking on contact. Akin has also shown the ability to turn up the field and pick up yards after the catch. Micah doesn't currently hold any offers but will be a player to watch as his role continues to grow in the high-powered CAL offense.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644ed0273cc34"} /-->