Barger made the transition to running back and immediately showed why it was a good move. He only needed 11 carries to put up 140 yards and 2 touchdowns, finding ways to create whenever the ball was in his hands. I liked his vision and how quickly he found the open lane and got upfield. He looked natural at the position and didn’t need a ton of touches to make a big impact. If the other night was any indication, this move could unlock a lot for him, and he could develop into a perennial back for this offense.

Colten Barger Colten Barger 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/ATH Lloyd Memorial | 2028 State KY did a little bit of everything for Lloyd Memorial to open up the season. Barger finished Week 1 with eight receptions (11 targets) for 76 yards on 9.5 yards per reception. However, he was most effective running the football. He finished with 11 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns. This included a 75-yard run to the house in a 21-3 win over Newport Catholic Central. Barger is coming off a sophomore season where he finished with 1,078 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as one of 3A’s most potent wideouts. He’s well on his way to put those same numbers up again in 2026.

Barger put together a solid first year and really built on it in year 2, nearly doubling his production. From what I saw, his hands are reliable, and he consistently watches the ball all the way in. He’s a solid route runner with sharp cuts and smooth change of direction, allowing him to create separation. The production backs it up with 47 catches for 1,078 yards and 15 TDs. To me, he’s a receiver trending upward who continues to produce at a high level.

Colten Barger Colten Barger 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/ATH Lloyd Memorial | 2028 State KY had a breakout year as a sophomore, leading his team in receiving with 47 catches for 1,078 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games. Barger is a very reliable deep threat, using his speed to run by opposing defensive backs with ease. He is also very dangerous after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn short passes/screens into big gains at any given moment. Colten also scored a rushing touchdown this past season and played a key role on defense, accounting for 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Barger is a player who college coaches should have on their radar heading into his junior year.

Colten Barger Colten Barger 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/ATH Lloyd Memorial | 2028 State KY jumped onto my radar with a very impressive sophomore season. Barger led his team in receiving, hauling in 47 passes for 1,078 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games. He is a dangerous deep threat, using his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs with ease. Barger is also impressive after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn screens/short passes into big gains. He also scored one rushing touchdown as a sophomore and made an impact on defense, finishing the year with 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Colten is a player who I expect college coaches to be paying close attention to heading into his junior year.