The Criteria:

- Validation beyond high school does matter, but so to does High School domination.

- Championships matter more than stats.

- The "awe" factor comes in play. Though Recruiting Services and D-1 College Offers do not paint the whole picture, they are a pretty good indicator of talent/skill level.

 

#10 Michael Bush, Male

I already hear what you are saying, "Michael Bush was a Runningback!". At the collegiate and pro level that is correct, but his HS career will be defined from his spot behind Center for Male. If this were a list of "Pure Passers" Bush would be omitted, if this were a list of athletes he would be much higher, but his amazing season as QB and his subsequent success as an all-around player in college and the NFL makes Bush eek in at #10 .

 

#9 Brandon Smith, Boyle County

 

The son of Chuck Smith certainly has paved his own path. Twice a State Champion at Boyle, Smith had a very successful career at WKU and is now one of the top young Head Coaches in Kentucky at South Warren. A Dual-Thret at Boyle, his moxy was unquestioned leading the Rebels to back to back titles and a Runner-Up.

 

 

#8 Phil Simms, Louisville Southern

 

On a list full of guys who were standouts in High School and college but never a difference maker in the NFL, Simms is the inverse. For all intents of purposes Simms was a bit anonymous in comparison to his Prep Prestige. He never won a State Title, he didn't set records, and frankly didn't win a ton of games... he played at Morehead State off the radar and without the major prestige of a major university. His NFL career though is the best of the guys on the list. A Super Bowl winner, a Pro Bowler, and 14 years in the league all led to a cushy job as a National Analyst.

 

#7 Jeff Brohm, Trinity

 

We will hear this last name again, but older brother Jeff had his own great legacy.He won a Championship at Trinity, had a standout career at Louisville, and had a nice stint as a NFL backup. Nowadays he is a highly respected coach at the collegiate level.

#6 Gino Guidugli, Highlands

 

Guidugli had a tough gig at Highlands. He had to follow a living legend in Jared Lorenzen. He not only succeeded him, he may have even outperformed him at the HS Level winning back to back State Titles in dominating fashion. Gino then moved on to the University of Cincinnati where he became arguably one of the greatest QB's to ever play for the Bearcats. He had a cup of tea with the Tennessee Titans and is currently an Assistant Head Coach at the D1 level.

 

#5 Jeff Duggins, Boyle County

Photo Not Available

 

Duggins is one of my personal all-time favorites because he is what a great High School Quarterback legacy is what you think of. The undersized Duggins was the Genesis of Chuck Smith's dominating run at Boyle County. He is in select company as a Quarterback who earned three rings starting under Center. A very efficient and gritty player, he also played Defense very well and was consummate Iron Man player.

#4 Jared Lorenzen, Highlands

 

Perhaps the biggest freak of Kentucky High School football history is Jared Lorenzen. People flocked in droves to witness the spectacle of the offensive linemen who could throw a perfect spiral essentially the length of the football field. He won a Sate Championship and had one of the most awe inspiring Senior Seasons ever witnessed in the Bluegrass State accounting for over 4200 yards and remarkable 60 TD's. Lorenzen was a high profile recruit and went to UK where he excelled and gained National Notoriety. He shattered records previously set by Tim Couch and finished with over 10,000 passing yards. Lorenzen spent time in the NFL as a backup, though lauded for his unprecedented arm strength his weight kept him from ever emerging as a true starter. He is now a popular media personality.

 

 

#3 Chris Redman, Louisville Male

 

Chris Redman was sensational at Male and led the Bulldogs to a State Title. He was voted as the Parade National Player of the Year. He went on to Louisville where he was sensational as well, one of the best QB's to ever wear the Red, Black, and White. He was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was a Third Round Pick. Redman then spent a NFL carer that many only dreamed they could have spending 9 seasons in the NFL mainly as a backup, but had a handful of stints as a Professional Starter at Baltimore and Atlanta.

 

 

 

#2 Tim Couch, Leslie County

 

Couch's High School career was simply put arguably one of the most lauded in Kentucky History. Though he never won a State Title at Leslie County with a borderline embarrassing supporting cast, Couch put the tiny little town of Hyden on the map and the center of the High School universe. At the time Couch became the Nation's All-Time leading passer setting the National Record for Pass Completions, Yards, and Touchdown Passes. He was the top recruit in the Nation and signed with UK. He set UK records in his 3 year stint and was a First Team All-American and a Heisman Finalist. He was ultimately drafted #1 by the Cleveland Browns. Though his career was shortened by injury and he never lived up to his First Overall Pick..he still threw for over 11,000 yards in the NFL in just five seasons. Couch is now a successful college analyst.

#1 Brian Brohm, Trinity

 

It takes a pretty extensive resume to beat out the like of Couch, Redman, and Lorenzen... but Brohm's career did just that.

 

It begins at Trinity where Brohm took the Shamrock's to unprecedented heights and National Notoriety. He won three State Titles..including the awe inspiring matchup vs. Michael Bush and Male in arguably the greatest HS game in Kentucky History. He eclipsed 10,00 yard in High School against the top competition in Kentucky and was a 5* Prospect. Brohm went to UL and carried his dominance with him. He led Louisville to an Orange Bowl win, threw for over 10,000 yards, and was twice voted 2nd Team All Big-East. He was a Second Round pick of the Packers but unfortunately had to backup Aaron Rodgers. Ultimately his NFL career never took off, but his legendary status was cemented by that point.

Other Top Contenders:

 

Corey Robinson, Lone Oak

Justin Burke, LexCath

Justin Haddix, Breathitt County

Antonio Andrews, Ft. Campbell

Edited June 22, 201511 yr by ATLCat

What are your thoughts?

 

Who should change spots?

 

Who would you put instead of Bush?

 

Any "old timer" names that need to be on the list?

At first glance, it's tough to argue with your list, or even the order of the 10 you listed. :thumb:

2 Bluebirds on the list! I'll take it and as always, great job!

Wasn't Doug Pelfrey a qb at Scott High School before becoming a kicker at UK and ultimately the Bengals?

My homer list would put Pat Towels at #5 making a HHS back to back to back list. I believe only HHS QB to win three SC's as the starter.

 

Would like to put Paul Hornung somewhere on the list but don't see how.

Edit.

My homer list would put Pat Towels at #5 making a HHS back to back to back list. I believe only HHS QB to win three SC's as the starter.

 

Would like to put Paul Hornung somewhere on the list but don't see how.

 

Towels High School legacy is really all we have to go off of at the time. His collegiate legacy thusfar has been "so-so".. and despite back to back Championships as a HS player it simply can't stack up to the collective portfolio of the other guys when factoring in all levels.

It's Towles....just sayin'

Towels High School legacy is really all we have to go off of at the time. His collegiate legacy thusfar has been "so-so".. and despite back to back Championships as a HS player it simply can't stack up to the collective portfolio of the other guys when factoring in all levels.

 

Pat won 3 championships and had some great stats which is why I put him on there in place of Duggins as I don't know what his (Duggins) post HS resume looks like.

 

Plus he's a Highlands guy. I said it's my homer list.

I thought Towles won three straight and set a recording for rushing or rushing TDs in a SC game his jr year. He had to step in his soph year in the Cincy St X game when the starter went down.