List is in no particular order, but these 10 Juniors are players certain to make major impacts in the 2016 season to the point they will be household names in 2017 (if they aren't already)

 

DB Jairus Brents- Waggener

Already regarded as a "Can't Miss" Division 1 prospect, Brents already sports scholarship offers to both In-State Powerhouse Schools.

Jairus Brents Highlights - Hudl

 

DE Tahj Rice- Waggener

Rice has exploded onto the scene this Summer with several Power 5 offers and interest from elite programs

Tahj Rice Highlights - Hudl

 

RB Dillon Wheatley- LCA

It is rare you see a Sophomore rush for over 2000 yards and score 32 TD's but Wheatley did just that in 2015. Expect a huge year in 2016

Dillon Wheatley - Hudl

 

OL Colton Williams- Simon Kenton

The 6'5 270 monster has already jumped onto the FBS scene with an offer from Cincinnati. A vital cog in SK's Offensive success in 2015, he was an anchor at the Tackle spot.

Colton Williams Highlights - Hudl

 

DB Devin Varney- Belfry

Freshman starters are a rarity at Belfry, especially in the secondary, but Varney became one of the first to do so. In 2015 he parlayed his year extra year of experience into a season which featured 6 INT's en route to an All-State 2nd Team nod.

Devin Varney Highlights - Hudl

 

RB Patric Edwards- Southwestern

Edwards has been the primary Offensive focal point of the Warriors and a key part in Coach French's transformation of the program. In his first two years of varsity action he has posted successive 1200+ yard rushing seasons against stiff competition.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3627906/highlights

 

QB Wyatt Battaile- Pikeville

When looking at the catalyst for Pikeville's 1A Championship team you had to look no further than the Sophomore who took over as the starter under Center after the start of the season. Battaile posted a stat line of 76/95 for 1339 yards, 20 TD, and only 4 INT. He threw in right at 400 rushing yards and 4 TD's for good measure. As an indicator of his precise play, he would have posted a staggering NFL QB Rating of 140.79

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4018200/highlights

 

RB Kadin Smith- Spencer County

When your team has two backs with over 1600 yards rushing and you are only a Sophomore, one would think you would simply have to wait your turn to shine. Kadin Smith though paved his own way, adding 1254 yards and 15 TD's. He also shined as the Bears leading receiver with 171 yards and an additional 3 scores.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4909108/highlights

 

RB Dayveon Higgs- Male

Higgs may not have the stat line as the others above, but it is for good reason when you play on a Senior heavy team that was by far the Class of the Commonwealth. It's also tough to shine when Devin Gentry is in front of you on the depth chart. With that said expect Higgs to explode on the scene as the feature back for the Bulldogs. When Gentry was sidelined with an injury Higgs answered with some impressive performances.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2935897/highlights

 

QB Jalen Johnson- Hopkinsville

Perhaps the best player in the State you haven't heard of yet. Johnson is a freak of an athlete

at his QB position. As a Sophomore he threw for 2189 yards and 31 TD's, he was also a threat with his feet adding 6 more scores. He is also a standout basketball player who averaged 16.0 points per game for a pretty good Tigers' squad

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4253525/highlights

Glad to see Colton Williams getting some recognition. He has all the tools to be a great one.

 

Can't wait to see him dominate this fall!!

You chosen Jalen Johnson over Bowling Green Running Back Ziyon Kenner... Last year he had over 800 yards rushing over 600 yards receiving and 1800 all purpose yards and 18 TDs last year at Christian County And is one of the top 3 guys in the state for his class.... Guess you can't impress them all huh?... Sophomore Highlights! ATH #12 - ZIYON KENNER highlights - Hudl

That didn't take long.

Nelson Perrin Scott Highschool

OL Blake Hammonds - Madison Central 6-3 315lbs Class of 2018.

HUDL Link:

Sophomore Highlight - Blake Hammonds highlights - Hudl

Corey Smith of hazard will be someone to keep an eye out on. He had a quite 1600 yards as a sophomore

I'm not saying AJ Mayer from Covington Catholic is anywhere in the top 10. I am saying the kid has a chance to be a QB college prospect. 6'3 and getting strong. Had a solid SOPH year where he got better as the year went on. Still needs to work on accuracy but that can be fixed with footwork and mechanics.

Wow, Waggener with TWO players on a watch list! I love how Hudl has transformed the access we have to these great kids and programs.

 

And Higgs from Male will grind you up, then when you're tired of hitting him he has a breakaway on you.

Braden Posey and Mike Dunn from Highlands.

Drew Zaubi from South Oldham had a solid sophomore year at QB. Now over 6'3" / 195 lbs and I hear doing very well on the camp circuit.

Keep the names coming everyone

 

FB/LB Derek Wellman from Belfry is a name to watch. Started at LB and was phenomenal recording 100 tackles. Also split duty at FB rushing for 655 yards and 12 Td's with nearly a 6.9 ypc average. From what I hear he is up to 6'1 200 and getting stronger every day. Recently when UK was on campus scouting the Belfry Seniors, Wellman turned their heads with his abilities and measurables

Derek Wellman Highlights - Hudl

 

Throwback player and an absolute pitbull on the field.

Another guy who barely missed the list is QB Cameron Sizemore of Corbin

 

Passed for over 1200 yards and ran for over 500. Those stats would have been much greater if Corbin didn't have as many snap issues and injuries as they did on the line early in the season. Big kid and I expect a breakout season in 2016.

 

Camron Sizemore Highlights - Hudl

Steven Livers RB John Hardin HS.

 

Sophomore Highlights - Steven Livers highlights - Hudl

 

Steven's cousin (possibly uncle) is current Bowling Green HS principal Virgil Livers who played only one year of football at Nelson County ( 1969), who went onto have an All-American career at WKU and then a career with the Chicago Bears.

sophomore highlight - Kolbe Langhi highlights - Hudl

Kolby Langhi has passed for over 5,000 yards during his freshmen and Sophmore seasons.