Ridner has quickly established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in Kentucky’s Class of 2030, and it’s not by accident. Already mentioned in multiple Prep Redzone articles, Ridner has built a reputation as a polished, high-IQ signal caller with production to match the hype. He’s arguably the top QB in the class right now, backed by an early Division I offer from Murray State and a resume that continues to grow. Ridner led his MAD Academy 7v7 squad to a Gunslinger Challenge League Championship, showcasing not only his arm talent but also his leadership in high-pressure situations. Add in his two-time Kentucky Future Stars selections, a 2024 KYMSFA 7th Grade State Championship, and back-to-back Regional Player of the Year honorable mentions in 2024 and 2025, and it’s clear he’s consistently performing at a high level.

What separates Ridner from many young quarterbacks is his commitment to development. His mechanics are advanced for his age, and he’s known for putting in the work to refine every aspect of his game, from footwork to timing to decision-making. That relentless work ethic should come as no surprise, especially to his coach and father, Klye Ridner, who has clearly played a role in shaping his disciplined approach to the position and the game. Ridner throws with confidence and accuracy, and his understanding of the game allows him to command an offense effectively. He isn’t just relying on natural ability; he’s actively building his skill set, which is a strong indicator of long-term success. As he continues to grow physically and gain more experience, he’s a name that will only gain more traction, not just in Kentucky, but on a much larger recruiting stage.

In the first place spot on my list is Kal Ridner Kal Ridner 6'4" | 192 lbs | QB Pulaski County | 2030 KY , a quarterback at Pulaski County Middle School. Ridner was locked in during positional drills, showcasing excellent arm strength and accuracy on nearly all of his reps. This rising signal caller out of the Bluegrass State is definitely a name to get to know as he continues to develop.

For the second consecutive year the class of 2030 Kentucky Future Stars were led by Quarterback Kal Ridner Kal Ridner 6'4" | 192 lbs | QB Pulaski County | 2030 KY . I had little doubt coming into the weekend, but Ridner’s performance in this year’s 7^th Grade Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game made it crystal clear who the top 2030 QB in Kentucky is.

Following a Tennessee touchdown on the second offensive play of the game, Ridner responded by orchestrating a touchdown drive on Kentucky’s first possession. After three runs to open the drive, QB1 connected on a short completion to ATH Peyton Moncrief Peyton Moncrief 5'6" | 120 lbs | ATH Clark-Moores Middle School | 2030 KY to start the day. Two plays later, he threw a dart to his Northern Pulaski teammate Colt Sturgill Colt Sturgill 5'11" | 157 lbs | WR Northern Pulaski | 2030 KY for a touchdown. Ridner continued to show off his arm talent throughout the game. He truly has a gunslinger mentality and thinks he can make every throw on the field—like his crossbody, off-platform seed to Cole Chappel late in the first half.

There were a few throws that got away from him and Tennessee either made him, or nearly made him, pay for it. With that said, Kal Ridner Kal Ridner 6'4" | 192 lbs | QB Pulaski County | 2030 KY is a QB in the 2030 class that colleges around SEC country need to know about immediately.

When looking at the top 2030 Quarterbacks around the Blue Grass state, I’m fairly certain that the conversation would start and stop with Kal Ridner Kal Ridner 6'4" | 192 lbs | QB Pulaski County | 2030 KY at, or near, the very top of the list. At last year’s Future Stars Game, as a sixth-grader, Ridner got the start at QB but very little else went his way in the Kentucky’s lone loss against their Tennessee counterparts. Between countless drops and broken plays, Ridner and the offense just couldn’t get it going. Instead of throwing a fit, Ridner got directly back to work and his 2024 seventh-grade season was proof of it. Ridner now lists himself at 6-foot-2, which is up from the 5-foot-11 he was listed at last year; He also had a masterful season, as he led the Northern Pulaski Maroons to a KYMSFA 7th Grade State Championship. Until I see otherwise, he has to be the top 2030 QB in the state.

Another prospect that caught my eye immediately during warmups, Morgan-Ridner certainly looks the part of a name to know in this 2030 class, as of June 2024. On the first play from scrimmage in the game against the Tennessee Future Stars, he cocked back and launched a deep ball at least 40 yards–though it fell incomplete, seeing that he had the ability to throw it that far opened up some eyes. They didn’t keep official stats to my knowledge, but if they did, Morgan-Ridner’s probably wouldn’t be that impressive because his receivers had at least five drops on catchable balls. He did manage to notch a touchdown pass when the boys from the Bluegrass State needed it most, connecting with wide receiver Kayden Centers Kayden Centers 5'9" | 130 lbs | WR Whitley County | 2030 KY with just 1:36 left in the game.