2024 Bluegrasspreps Preseason Mr. Football Watchlist

[DevilMayCare]

As we close in on the opening weekend of the 2024 season, the time has come to dust off BGP's annual journal of individual excellence. Each entry, a snapshot of the chase for the title of Mr. Football.

This is one of the deepest fields we've had since the inception of the watchlist in 2017, and we've cast a wide net to bring them all together here. They're coming from all corners of the state:

Louisville ➡ Lexington 

Paducah ➡ Pikeville 

Bowling Green ➡ Union

Title Town ➡ Fort Mitchell 

 

First up….

The Supermen

Owners of awe inspiring physical ability, the result of genetics, work ethic, and perhaps being touched by the football gods… these four belong in a class of their own. They're capable of reaching a little higher than mere mortals.

Photo cred to Brandon Wheeler for Link NKY.

Austin Alexander (Cooper, DE/TE, 6’3”/245)

2023: 81 tackles (27 TFL) | 19 sacks | 67 receptions for 1,138 yards and 19 touchdowns | 5 turnovers created

College status: Committed to the University of North Carolina 

Highlights: 2023 Playoffs

NKY's best player since Michael Mayer? He definitely looks the part, and his two-way impact is Mayer-esque. In fact, the numbers from his junior season compare favorably with where the current Las Vegas Raider stood entering his senior year. While I'm casually making comparisons to all-time greats, let's add another: Austin will look to attach a second Mr. Football award to the Alexander family name, joining uncle Shaun's from 1994.

 

 

Photo by Alan Warren of the Messenger-Enquirer.

Brady Atwell (Owensboro Catholic, QB, 6’3”/225)

2023: 301/434 (69%) for 4,743 yards and 68 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 695 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns

• Second most passing yards and touchdowns ever in a single season 

College status: Committed to play baseball for Western Kentucky University 

Highlights: Laser beam at Kroger Field

The numbers border on unreachable again: 5,438 yards of total offense and 85 combined touchdowns. You have to wonder, did he set the bar out of sight? Atwell may have no choice but to clear it against a field of contenders this deep. He should own every meaningful passing record at O-Cath by season's end, which is saying something, considering the Aces’ reputation for airing it out over the last 20+ years.

 

 

Photo cred to Chelsea Ladd for The Paducah Sun.

Martels Carter Jr. (Paducah Tilghman, ATH, 6’1”/190)

2023: 43 receptions for 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns | 214 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns | 5 kick return touchdowns | 44 tackles | 3 interceptions 

College status: Committed to the University of Kentucky 

Highlights: vs. Logan County

Carter strikes like lightning in the eye of the tornado with the potential to change the game every time he touches the ball. There's only one player - more on him below - to rival his skill set as a receiver, runner, ball hawk, and kick returner. His arrival at Tilghman was met with considerable buzz and expectations, and by all accounts, he's lived up to the billing. 

 

 

Photo cred to Chris Zollner for the Advocate Messenger.

Montavin Quisenberry (Boyle County, ATH, 5’9”/175)

2023: 43 receptions for 864 yards and 12 touchdowns | 82 carries for 800 yards and 18 touchdowns | 51 tackles | 2 interceptions | 5 kick return touchdowns | 1 touchdown pass

• Milestones on tap this season - 4,000 career rushing yards, 2,000 career receiving yards, and 100 career touchdowns

College status: Committed to West Virginia University 

Highlights: Junior season

Boyle County seemingly has someone in this conversation every year. The latest Rebel superstar is the closest we've seen to Wan'Dale Robinson, the 2018 recipient of this award. The combination of build, fast twitch, and all-purpose playmaking lends a natural comparison. “Q” is a holy nightmare to corral in the open field and, for that matter, closed quarters. You don't have him where you want him, he has you.

 

 

The Year Of The Quarterback?

It goes way beyond just Atwell. As documented in the Super Six thread from last season, the Class of 2025 quarterbacks were sublime as juniors. Some are better positioned to make a run at this award than others, but several should have their names highlighted by the watchlist as the season progresses.

 

Photo by the Sporting Times.

Deuce Bailey (Bowling Green, QB, 6’0”/170)

2023: 242/352 (68%) for 3,517 yards and 43 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 205 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns

College status: Committed to Missouri State University 

Highlights: Junior season

The only one of last year's Super Six to end his season on a high note, leading the Purples to a state championship. Bailey's name has been floating around our consciousness since he broke through as a freshman starter at BG. He has an abundance of arm talent, capable of getting off strong, accurate throws from multiple arm slots coupled with a quick release. He's also as good as we have at improvising to extend plays.

 

 

Photo cred to the QB Hit List.

Bryce Button (South Warren, QB, 6’3”/205)

2023: 189/290 for 3,274 yards with 38 touchdowns and 5 interceptions | 290 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns 

College status: Committed to Eastern Michigan University 

Highlights: Junior season

His relationship to Bailey mirrors that of their teams. Button and the Spartans will be chasing Bailey and the Purples when the season kicks off. Catching and overtaking them may be his only path toward serious consideration. He accounted for more touchdowns (45) last year than any quarterback in program history, one that includes four straight DI signees at that position. 

 

 

Photo cred to Pete Wiggington for Link NKY

Clay Hayden (Beechwood, QB, 6’1”/180)

2023: 210/288 (73%) for 3,910 yards and 48 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

College status: Uncommitted. 

Highlights: Junior season

• Completion percentage is tied for fifth highest ever in a single season.

Hayden teased us with an injury shortened sophomore campaign before letting it all hang out last year. Only a handful of quarterbacks in state history have been more accurate than he was in 2023, and he owns the school single season standard for passing touchdowns at tradition-rich Beechwood. 

 

 

Photo taken from James’ Hudl account.

Jack James (Paducah Tilghman, QB, 6’0”/210)

2023: 255/375 (68%) for 4,019 yards and 56 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 247 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns

College status: Committed to Troy University 

Highlights: Junior season

Continuing the theme of record setting c/2025 QBs… James rewrote the PT record books at the quarterback position with still a season to go, and there's a solid chance he rearranges the KHSAA books this year. If he can replicate last season's numbers, he'll own the career marks for passing yards and touchdowns, though it must be noted he'll be a five year starter.

 

 

Photo cred to Will Jones for 10thRegion.com

Luke Pennington (Sayre, QB, 6’0”/180)

2023: 171/252 (68%) for 2,555 yards and 50 touchdowns with 0 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

College status: Uncommitted. 

Highlights: Junior season

Despite the relative ease of Sayre‘s schedule, 50-0 warrants a double take. Against his stiffest competition, Pennington threw eight touchdowns and zero picks against Top 5 teams Paris and Raceland in the playoffs. The previous best touchdown-to-interception ratio I'm aware of, was Trinity great Brian Brohm's 47-1 in 2002. Purely on numbers alone, Pennington was historically great last year.

 

 

Louisville

It's hard to talk Mr. Football without dipping into the Jefferson County talent pool, where three of its strongest swimmers cracked the preseason watchlist. 

 

Photo cred to Scott Utterback for the Courier-Journal.

Cortez Stone (Central, RB, 5'11”/175)

2023: 278 carries for 1,871 yards and 23 touchdowns | 199 receiving yards and a touchdown 

College status: Uncommitted. Offers from Louisville and WKU, among others. 

Highlights: Junior season

The title of best running back in Louisville will typically earn that player a spot in here. The title of best running back in the state guarantees it. That's the mantle bestowed upon Stone this season. He's been highly touted since his freshman year and leaned upon heavily to propel the Jackets' offense. He needs approximately 2,300 yards to crack the KHSAA's top five in career rushing yardage, a milestone that should be within reach for one of the state's more well fed ball carriers.

 

 

Photo courtesy of USA Today.

Connor Hodge (Christian Academy of Louisville, ATH, 6’1”/160)

2023: 114 receptions for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns | 56 tackles | 11 interceptions (2 pick-six's)

• Third most receptions ever in a single season

College status: Committed to East Carolina University 

Highlights: Junior season

In what may be a first, Hodge led the state in receptions and interceptions. No one was better at catching passes and taking them away. This year, he may be the one delivering the ball, as a move to quarterback is apparently in the works, further highlighting his versatility. 

 

 

Photo cred to Matt Stone for the Courier-Journal.

Antonio Harris (Male, ATH, 6'0"/175)

2023: 25 receptions for 620 yards and 11 touchdowns | 2 interceptions 

College status: Committed to the University of Louisville 

Highlights: Junior season

Harris is one of the state's biggest deep threats, averaging 25 yards per catch and scoring on 44% of his receptions a season ago. He should see a sharp uptick in targets with Max Gainey gone. The future Cardinal has all-state potential at both receiver and defensive back, and is one of the very few two-way stars for a big school contender.

 

Small schools, big game

Ignore the class they compete in, these two would ball out for any school at any level.

 

Photo taken from the Appalachian News-Express

Brenden Anthony (Pikeville, RB/LB, 5'11”/215)

2023: 137 carries for 1,418 yards and 18 touchdowns | 1 receiving touchdown | 115 tackles (10 TFL) | 1 pick-six 

College status: Uncommitted 

Highlights: Junior season

Anthony was championship weekend's top performer last year. The mountains knew his name before the 1A finals. The 237 rushing yards and two scores, the passing touchdown, 15 tackles, and a sack against Raceland ensured that his name would be heard in every other holler and city street in the bluegrass.  

 

 

Photo taken from Coffman's Hudl account.

Brock Coffman (Sayre, ATH, 6’0”/175)

2023: 67 receptions for 1,193 yards and 24 touchdowns | 13 turnovers created, including 9 interceptions | 3 touchdowns via defense and special teams 

College status: Uncommitted. Offers from Maryland, Marshall, Ohio U, and EKU.

Highlights: Junior season

The other half of Sayre‘s dynamic duo. Coffman accounted for nearly half of his quarterback's production last season. He also played a role in ⅓ of the Spartans‘ defensive turnovers. Athletically, he can do some things you don't see every year in 1A football.

[theguru]

Wow, thanks @DevilMayCare, amazing work!

Congrats to all the young men on the list.  Let the games begins. 

[Cousin Chris]

I think the Hampton kid from Owensboro belongs on your list.  If Brady Atwell duplicates or exceeds last years numbers this season he should be the winner.  I also think the Quisenberry kid from Boyle will put up some monster numbers this season.  Let the games begin!

[BillNye]

12 minutes ago, Cousin Chris said:

I think the Hampton kid from Owensboro belongs on your list.  If Brady Atwell duplicates or exceeds last years numbers this season he should be the winner.  I also think the Quisenberry kid from Boyle will put up some monster numbers this season.  Let the games begin!

Isn't the Mr. Football award for seniors only? I could be wrong, I remember they went back and forth on it a few years ago.

[DevilMayCare]

24 minutes ago, Cousin Chris said:

I think the Hampton kid from Owensboro belongs on your list.  If Brady Atwell duplicates or exceeds last years numbers this season he should be the winner.  I also think the Quisenberry kid from Boyle will put up some monster numbers this season.  Let the games begin!

 

17 minutes ago, BillNye said:

Isn't the Mr. Football award for seniors only? I could be wrong, I remember they went back and forth on it a few years ago.

Yes, Mr. Football is for seniors only. There was a year or two around a decade ago where it was open to juniors (all grades?), but that experiment didn't last long.

[Cousin Chris]

Is the Hampton kid only a junior?  I had no idea.  WOW! That kid is a absolute beast and only a junior?

[Mr. Sixer]

Absolutely great list and Kentucky is blessed with some superb talent!  Arguments can be made for all these players, probably several others, but I like Alexander for what he does on both sides of the football.  He's a serious problem for opposing coaches to gameplan for.  

[theguru]

Someone suggested to me that Jarren Johnson should be on the list.  Just FYI.

 

[theguru]

Same with Treston Kay.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17828868/65467a0a38636f0f7c339960

[DevilMayCare]

This is for anyone out there - BGP or social media - wondering why (insert name here) didn't make the cut....

There's a certain profile you look for to determine who gets the most coverage, and Alexander, Atwell, Carter, and Quisenberry definitely fit that profile: top prospect, passes the eye test, on-field production, balled out as juniors, play for championship contenders, and they're household names in football circles.

Everyone else listed checks at least a few of those boxes.

Aside from the players highlighted above, there's an additional, supplemental list of names I keep tucked away for the purpose of tracking and maybe including in later installments of the watchlist. So you'll see some new names mixed in as the season progresses. 

The preseason watchlist is essentially the superstars I think have the best shot at it, plus several other great players worth keeping an eye on. Not really any different than ESPN tracking Heisman candidates. 

Most years, I could boil the watchlist down to a half dozen players and I'd feel confident the eventual winner comes from that list. Last year was different. Daniel Thomas received what amounts to an “honorable mention” in the 2023 preseason watchlist before (literally) running away with the award. That's why I try to reach for several names every year that are not on equal footing with the favorites. It's a long and winding road from here to December and I don't want to be hyper focused on the same handful of players this early.

And I say this every year, but it bears repeating… just because a player is absent from the watchlist for a week or two, does not mean they've been forgotten. Names will come and go in accordance with whether I believe their performance that week is newsworthy. And newsworthy goes both ways, good and bad. So if a certain player you root for, coach, or call son misses the watchlist for a couple of weeks, be patient. If he's good enough to make the watchlist in the first place, then he's good enough to find his way back.

[Bigg Ike]

Why can't offensive linemen be recognized for Mr. Football??

[DevilMayCare]

3 hours ago, Bigg Ike said:

Why can't offensive linemen be recognized for Mr. Football??

Jager Burton was co-Mr. Football in 2020, but he fit the profile to a tee. That's what it takes. Burton was a top 100 player nationally, one of the top 3-4 in the country at his position, and the #1 overall prospect in KY. On top of that, he was a Lexington kid committed to UK, which gave him a boost, fair or not.

I'm all for offensive lineman getting that recognition, but it's a hard sell. It's much harder to quantify the value of a blocker. Even when Burton won the award, I had a hard time figuring out how to fit him into the watchlist that year. There were no numbers to point to. You had to actually watch his games and single him out every snap to see his worth. It's all about the eye test, which Burton passed with flying colors.

[DevilMayCare]

The quarterbacks highlighted here all had junior seasons that rank among the greatest in their program's history.

Who has the best chance of replicating or even surpassing their numbers from last season?

- Will Atwell sniff 85 touchdowns again? That number is so bonkers, I wouldn't count on it. But Atwell is built different. 

- Can Hayden threaten the single season record for completion percentage? The current standard is 79.9%. Completing 80% of your passes for an entire season isn't something you expect to happen, but the return of 2A's best receiving corps makes the notion appear not so far fetched. 

- Is another 50-0 season attainable for Pennington? Against that schedule, he's got a great chance to carry another 0 in the interception column into the playoffs.

- Will James leave Tilghman as the state's all-time leader in career yards and touchdowns? The touchdown mark seems like a forgone conclusion. He only needs 21 after throwing 56 last year. The yardage record is a different story, but still very attainable. He needs 3,783 yards to sit atop that list.

[Country]

Talk is cheap but results matter. Quisenberry at Boyle leads all the others in this category. We will all have to wait and see how this season plays out. Until then everything is just chin music.

[theguru]

I had someone else reach out and request:

"Don’t forget about Michael Curry Jr, 5’11 189 “RB”  Atherton High School Class of 2025."