Herald-Leader Watch List: 2023’s top Lexington high school football players
The level of high school football talent in Lexington seems to keep rising year after year.
Once again, the University of Kentucky has looked within the city limits to snap up a top recruit, this time with Lexington Christian quarterback Cutter Boley.
But there are a number of major, mid-major and other college programs with an eye on players in the heart of the Bluegrass.
Here are some of the best Lexington players at each position who will likely make a big impact this year for their respective teams. The online version of this story has links to their highlights if available.
All-around athletes
JT Haskins Jr., Bryan Station, 6-1/170/Sr.: A three-star recruit with at least nine Division I offers from schools including Louisville, West Virginia and Marshall, Haskins turned into a two-way standout last season with 758 yards and eight TDs receiving, a kickoff return TD and 46 tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Sam Clements, Lexington Catholic, 5-10/140/Sr.: Two-sport standout led Knights with 102 tackles along with three interceptions and had five receiving TDs. Brock Coffman, Sayre, 6-0/160/Jr.: A three-sport starter (baseball, basketball), he led Sayre with 853 yards and nine TDs receiving and had three interceptions on defense as a sophomore. Walden Cole, Henry Clay, 6-0/185/Sr.: Three scores as a receiver; 43 tackles, three sacks, one interception as a linebacker. Dez Hanley, Lafayette 6-0/190/Sr.: Led Generals in rushing and tackles.
Quarterbacks
Cutter Boley, Lexington Christian, 6-5/203/Sr.: Almost everyone’s frontrunner for 2024 Mr. Football, Boley “can make every throw,” LCA Coach Doug Charles said. The UK commit threw for 3,905 yards and 36 TDs last season. He also ran for six scores. LCA faces a gauntlet of some of the state’s best teams, so his senior year mettle will be tested before the postseason.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Cole Carpenter, Frederick Douglass. 6-4/205/Sr.: EKU commit looking for a second state championship ring. Trenton Cutwright, Bryan Station, 6-1/155/Sr.: Led Defenders to a region championship and the Class 6A semis last season. Jackson Wasik, Lexington Catholic, 6-0/160/Sr.: Orchestrated improbable comeback win over rival Boyle County. Luke Pennington, Sayre, 5-11/170/Jr.: Threw for 1,785 yards and 25 TDs. Andrew Witherington, Tates Creek, 5-11/165/Sr.: Kept poise in playoff win over George Rogers Clark.
Running backs
Brady Hensley, Lexington Christian, 6-0/202/Sr.: A transfer from Madison Central, Hensley earned first-team all-state honors from the Courier Journal last year after rushing for 1,470 yards and 16 TDs in just nine of the Indians’ 13 games. The Eastern Kentucky commit rushed for more than 1,804 yards and 31 TDs as a sophomore.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Kalen “Jaws” Washington, Bryan Station, 5-10/205/Jr.: Topped 1,000 yards as a sophomore for George Rogers Clark. Bayubahe Benit, Bryan Station, 5-8/180/Sr.: Rushed for 749 yards and 10 TDs in 2022. Pharo Watts, Frederick Douglass, 5-10/180/Jr.: Has offers from EKU and Miami (Ohio).
Wide receivers/tight ends
Aveion Chenault, Frederick Douglass, 6-2/165/Jr.: Although he saw limited action last fall, Chenault has rocketed up the recruiting rankings as a three-star recruit with offers including Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois and Ole Miss. He was an integral player on the Broncos’ 11th Region champion basketball team that reached the Boys’ Sweet 16 semifinals this past season.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Parker Chaney, Lexington Christian, 6-1/190/Sr.: Second team all-city with 1,175 yards and seven TDs, offers include Air Force, Dayton and EKU. Derion Talbert, Frederick Douglass, 5-7/160/Jr.: Scored three TDs as a sophomore, has offers from Miami (Ohio), EKU. Will Rich, Lexington Christian, 6-3/226/Sr.: Four scores last season, committed to Bucknell.
Offensive linemen
Zuri Madison, Frederick Douglass, 6-5/315/Sr.: Committed to Arkansas, Madison garnered offers from at least 13 Division I programs as a three-star recruit ranked No. 34 in the nation at the interior offensive line position by 247Sports.com. The Broncos’ offense ranked fourth in the state last year, scoring 43.6 points per game.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Joe Schlarman, Lexington Catholic, 6-3/265/Sr.: First-team all-city selection has offers from EKU and Murray State. Jackson Dialls, Frederick Douglass, 6-6/290/Jr.: Offered by Miami (Ohio). Garrison McKinney, Lexington Christian, 6-2/280/Sr.: Second-team all-city. Devan Young, Tates Creek, 6-2/260/Sr.: Second-team all-city. Gary McCauley, Bryan Station, 6-3/245/Sr.: First-team all-city.
Defensive linemen
Demeco Kennedy, Frederick Douglass, 6-3/265/Sr.: Kennedy ranks as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and Rivals, and is sought after by teams including Purdue, Illinois, Louisville and Ole Miss. Douglass’ defense allowed only 70 points last season, the fewest in the state by 39.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Jahvon Frazier, Bryan Station, 6-2/194/Sr.: Akron commit was first-team all-city and had a team-high five sacks. Dahvon Frazier, Bryan Station, 6-2/215/Sr.: Twin brother of Jahvon also committed to Akron and gets snaps at halfback. Chase Couch, Lexington Christian, 6-4/215/Sr.: Second-team all-city with offers including Cornell, EKU. Cannon Mackley, Lexington Catholic, 5-10/205/Sr.: Second-team all-city selection.
Linebackers
Jason Hocker, Bryan Station, 6-1/235/Sr.: Hocker earned first-team all-city and honorable mention all-state honors last season after recording 90 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss. He’s one of three Bryan Station defensive players to commit to Akron.
Darion Neal, Frederick Douglass, 6-0/220/Sr.: Another first-team all-city and honorable mention all-state player, Neal led the Broncos with 69 tackles in addition to two sacks. He has an offer from EKU.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Logan Busson, Frederick Douglass, 6-2/205/Jr.: Two-sport standout has offers from Miami (Ohio), EKU. Jayden Taylor, Lexington Christian, 6-2/205/Sr.: Has offer from Tennessee State. Hunter Adams, Lexington Christian, 6-2/215/Jr.: UK and EKU have offered. Logan Julian, Tates Creek, 6-0/220/Sr: Second-team all-city. Major Brown, Lexington Christian, 6-0/200/Sr.: Led Eagles with 136 tackles. Colton Turlington, Paul Laurence Dunbar: 5-11/175/Sr.: Leading returning tackler for the Bulldogs.
Defensive backs
Jeremiah Lowe, Frederick Douglass, 5-11/170/Sr. A three-star recruit and first-team all-city selection, Lowe had a pair of interceptions for the state’s stingiest defense. He recently committed to Michigan.
Terrion Hicks, Frederick Douglass, 5-11/170/Sr.: Hicks, a three-star recruit who has committed to Northwestern, had 23 tackles last year and was named second-team all-city.
OTHERS TO WATCH — Elijah Ward, Frederick Douglass, 5-9/155/So.: Louisville has already offered. Jaiden Shegog, Bryan Station, 5-9/160/Jr.: Had a pick six last year. Miami (Ohio) is interested.
Kickers
Cooper Ranvier, Frederick Douglass, 6-3/205/Sr.: A five-star kicker according to the Kohl’s National Kicker Rankings, Ranvier also led the soccer team in scoring last season and intends to play both sports again this fall. He could line up at wide receiver, too. He has multiple Division I football offers.
ANOTHER TO WATCH — Emmanuel Castro, Tates Creek, 6-1/Sr.: Hit two field goals and the game-winning extra point in Creek’s playoff win over George Rogers Clark last season.
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