With the kick-off of the 2025 season just a day away, it's time to roll out BGP’s annual journal of individual excellence.

Last year saw Boyle County superstar Montavin Quisenberry emerge from a crowded field, including the deepest class of quarterbacks the watchlist has ever covered.

This year lacks the depth of 2024 and there's no “Q” to leave you shaking your head in disbelief, but we'll get lost in the chase like we do every year. Just because there's no Secretariat or Usain Bolt to stretch the boundaries of athletic achievement, doesn't mean it won't be a great race. This one feels like it's destined to go to the wire.

We've got a potential record setting quarterback, a handful of ball carriers coming from different angles - including one trying to follow up a mammoth junior campaign and another seeking his second wind after an injury shortened 2024 - plus a pair of big school ironmen, an increasingly rare sight in this day and age.

Slingin’ With Mr. Cooper (raise your hand if you get that reference)

Photo credit to Charles Bolton for LinkNKY.

Cam O'Hara (QB, Cooper, 6’2”/195)
2024: 212/325 (65%) for 3,617 yards and 52 touchdowns with 3 interceptions | 4 rushing touchdowns 
Key Career Stat: 120 touchdown passes; O’Hara needs 34 more to become the state's all-time leader. 
College: committed to Western Kentucky University 
? Last year's watchlist was marbled with Class of ‘25 quarterbacks. That group dripped hardware and records. The scope has been narrowed this season to highlight O'Hara, the most high profile quarterback we have this year. He already owns the record book at Cooper, throwing for more career yards (8,996) and touchdowns than anyone before him. He's also NKY's all-time leader in both categories. The individual grades are A+ across the board. The only hole in the résumé is a state title, something he's swung at and missed each of the last two years.

The Devil's In The Details ?

Photo credit to Alan Warren for the Messenger-Inquirer.

Evan Hampton (RB, Owensboro, 6’0”/210)
2024: 189 carries for 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns | 4 receiving touchdowns 
Key Career Stat: 44 and 527; Those were Hampton's team highs for receptions and receiving yards in 2023, highlighting his capabilities as a pass catcher.
College: committed to Vanderbilt University 
? Hampton's name will fill every nook and cranny of the scouting reports compiled by Owensboro's opponents this season. His career has been on an upward trajectory ever since we caught a glimpse of his immense potential as a freshman, when he logged only ten carries for the season but scored on six of them. He's run for 3,100 yards combined the last two years with defenses watching his every move. Versatility is key at the running back position these days, and Hampton excels as a pass catcher, as evidenced by the sophomore numbers referenced above.

Football Soothes The Savage Beast ?‍☠️

Photo credit to Katie Stratman for the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Jacob Savage (RB/LB, Ryle, 6’1”/220)
2024: 156 carries for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns | 313 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns | 141 tackles | 3 sacks | 1 interception
Key Career Stat: 397 career tackles; Barring injury, Savage looks primed for 500.
College: committed to Indiana University 
? He is both the hunter, and the hunted, punishing opposing tacklers and ball carriers with a complete lack of discrimination. He simultaneously powers the Raiders' run game while stifling the opposition's. He landed an early haymaker on St. X in last year's playoffs to set the tone for Ryle's running clock stunner. As a standout running back and linebacker, he has a strong claim to the title of best all-around football player in Kentucky. 

Marvel At This X-Man's Infinite Range  ♾️ 

Photo credit to Clare Grant for the Courier Journal.

Marlon Harbin III (ATH, Saint Xavier, 5'11”/175)
2024: 123 carries for 704 yards and 12 touchdowns | 47 receptions for 639 yards and 6 touchdowns | 3 interceptions 
Key Career Stat: Harbin has led X in receiving each of the last three years. 
College: committed to the University of Louisville 
? If someone is going to challenge Savage for all-around status, it's the most versatile member of the Tigers. He has the tools and the platform to compete with anyone for the state's highest individual honors. Harbin's well positioned near the front of the pack after leading St. X in rushing, receiving, and interceptions, a trifecta that may make him one of one in the history books at Saint Xavier. 

He's Got That Dawg In Him ? 

Photo credit to Cheri Munoz for the News-Enterprise.

Cavalli Pittman (RB, John Hardin, 6’0”/180)
2024: 318 carries for 3,174 yards and 40 touchdowns 
Key Career Stat: 4,410 rushing yards; Pittman needs approximately 2,300 this year to crack the top five all-time rushers in state history. 
? He escaped the yard last year and ran wild in the streets of Elizabethtown, rewriting the Hardin County record books with every stride. His yardage total was the state's fourth highest ever in a single season. Only one player has ever averaged more yards per game than Pittman did last year. He'll be hard pressed to touch those numbers again, but it won't be for a lack of effort to get him the ball in John's ground chewing offense. 

 

Barber, Just Take A Little Off The Top?

Photo credit to Prep Redzone.

Trevy Barber (WR, Bowling Green, 5’9”/170)
2024: 79 receptions for 1,327 yards and 22 touchdowns | 1 kick return touchdown 
Key Career Stats: 47; That's career touchdown catches. If Barber can replicate last year's production, he'll threaten John Cole's career state record of 69.
College: Offers from Miami (OH), Troy University, and Eastern Kentucky among others. 
? Last season was the best ever by a Purple receiver not named Nacarius Fant, the recipient of 2013's Mr. Football award and Barber's current position coach. He struck early against archrival South Warren in the state semifinals, housing the opening kick-off for one of the signature plays of his career to date. Here's what's on deck this season: aside from the career touchdown reception record, Barber has a shot at cracking the state's top five all-time in career receptions and becoming BG's career leader in receiving yardage. 

Alpha Male Back Up And Running ?

Photo credit to Matt Stone for the Courier Journal.

Chayce Burton (RB, Male, 5'10”/200)
2024: 128 carries for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns 
College: offers from Louisville, Purdue, and Minnesota, among others 
? After sharing the backfield spotlight in ‘23, Burton was poised for a breakout individual year as a junior. He was well on his way, rushing for 100+ yards against St. X and 200+ against Trinity before a lower body injury ended his season after eight games. The title of ‘best running back in the state’ is open for discussion, but a healthy Burton is on a very short list of backs that can close it. If he's anywhere near 100%, the shifty, tenacious, and powerful runner will stress opposing defenses once again.

Bird of Prey ?

Photo credit to Peter Wilson for the News-Graphic.

Luke Ballard (RB, Great Crossing, 5’11”/210)
2024: 267 carries for 2,019 yards and 26 touchdowns | 1 receiving touchdown
College: offer from Eastern Kentucky University 
? Crossing experienced a breakout season in 2024. There were many reasons why, but Ballard was clearly the tip of the Warhawks’ spear. He burst onto the scene after rushing for just 38 yards as a sophomore. He posted 100+ yards in landmark victories over Scott County, Lexington Catholic, and Manual, and rolled Barren County for 342 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs. GC's first four games - Franklin County, Scott County, LexCath, and Wofo - could make or break his candidacy. 

Colonels Hoping To Reap Cash Back Rewards ?

Photo credit to Mike Marsee for the Advocate-Messenger.

Cash Harney (QB, Covington Catholic, 6’0”/185)
2024: 86/148 (58%) for 1,303 yards and 13 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 1,476 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns 
Key Career Stat: Harney led CovCath in interceptions as a sophomore defensive back in 2023, with 5.
? The path wasn't always clear, but Harney has emerged as one of the state's best football players, regardless. He's played multiple positions at multiple schools, finally hitting his stride behind center in Park Hills. The arm is more than adequate, but the legs are game changing. Exhibit A: 234 rushing yards against Boyle County to thwart the Rebels’ bid for a fifth consecutive state title. 

Eight More In The Mix

Nathan Verax (QB, Ryle, 6’0”/170)
2024: 186/317 (58%) for 2,374 yards and 30 touchdowns with 12 interceptions | 599 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns

Grayson Harris (WR, Simon Kenton, 6’0”/185)
2024: 89 receptions for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns 

Rio Litmer (QB, Highlands, 6’0”/180)
2024: 193/281 (68%) for 2,791 yards and 33 touchdowns with 8 interceptions | 236 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns 

Markezz Hightower (RB, Madisonville-North Hopkins, 5'10”/190)
2024: 206 carries for 1,604 yards and 20 touchdowns | 1 receiving touchdown | 1 interception

Keagan Maher (RB, Cooper, 5’8”/175)
2024: 162 carries for 1,433 yards and 22 touchdowns | 237 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns 

Baylor Murphy (QB, Boyle County, 6’0”/170)
2024: 135/176 (76%) for 2,009 yards and 30 touchdowns with 1 interception

Kace Eastridge (QB/DB, Campbellsville, 6’1”/190) 
2024: 147/246 (60%) for 1,990 yards and 17 touchdowns with 9 interceptions | 1,346 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns 

Maddox O'Neal (QB, McCracken County, 6'1"/190)
2024: 187/312 (60%) for 2,896 yards and 41 touchdowns with 16 interceptions | 201 rushing yards

This is a LOT of work and very well put together!  Thank you @DevilMayCare!

I'm biased and pulling for Travey Barber!!!

I am thinking the winner will be Hampton or Savage.

Would love to see Barber win it, but I think my pick would have to be Pittman. The schedule sets up very well for another season of some remarkable numbers.

Great list but one to also look out for is Karsten Busch LB/TE at St. X. The UofL commit will be playing both ways so will put up bigger numbers than last year just playing LB.

Solid group here and I have been blessed to see half of them play in person.  Give me Trevy Barber or Marlon Harbin III.  I would say Cam O'Hara is a close option too, but he has lost his stable of 6'3 plus receivers and it will be interesting to see how his new group of wideouts do to help him achieve Mr. KY!

Also be on the lookout for Tyler Fryman WR/Safety from Beechwood.  

Although he’s a junior he has great opportunity to make some noise and one to watch out  for this season.

9 minutes ago, The_Bull44 said:

Also be on the lookout for Tyler Fryman WR/Safety from Beechwood.  

Although he’s a junior he has great opportunity to make some noise and one to watch out  for this season.

Being a junior makes him ineligible this year. A great season will almost assuredly earn him a spot in here for 2026.