Agree 100% that this should be focused entirely on High School performance. There are countless examples of kids who have outstanding HS careers but just don't pan out in college for one reason or another. There are also plenty of examples of elite HS players who never have the opportunity to play big-time college football for various reasons. Taking post-HS accolades and achievements into consideration would really just muddy the water here and eliminate an objective conversation. That being said, I did include where each of the guys on my list ended up (or are going to end up) playing college ball for 3 reasons:
1.) To validify my reasoning above.
2.) It's always interesting to see the recruiting battles Kentucky & Louisville have lost with elite players from the state of KY.
3.) For my own recollection (please correct me if I'm off with any of these).
Here's my list. Obviously a lot of room for discussion (especially at QB).
OFFENSE
QB - Elijah Sindelar, Caldwell County (2014) / College: Purdue
RB - Damien Harris, Madison Southern (2014) / College: Alabama
TE - Michael Mayer, Covington Catholic (2019) / College: Notre Dame
WR - Nacarius Fant, Bowling Green (2013) / College: Western KY
WR - Jake Johnson, Pulaski County (2016) / College: Georgetown
WR - James Quick, Trinity (2012) / College: Lousiville
OL - Jedrick Willis, Lafayette (2016) / College: Kentucky
OL - Walker Parks, Fredrick Douglas (2019) / College: Clemson
OL - Hunter Bivin, Apollo (2012) / College: Notre Dame
OL - Landon Young, Lafayette (2016) / College: Kentucky
OL - Drake Jackson, Woodford County (2016) / College: Kentucky
DEFENSE
LB - Kam Butler, Covington Catholic (2017) / College: Miami (OH)
LB - Kash Daniel, Paintsville (2015) / College: Kentucky
LB - Lamar Dawson, Boyle County (2010) / College: USC
DL - Jason Hatcher, Trinity (2012) / College: Kentucky
DL - Jacob Lacey, South Warren (2018) / College: Notre Dame
DL - JJ Weaver, Moore (2018) / College: Kentucky
DL - Matt Elam, John Hardin (2013) / College: Kentucky
DB - Jeremy Clark, Madisonville (2012) / College: Michigan
DB - Nate McCoy, Gallatin County (2013) / College: Union
DB - D'Mauriae VanCleave, Danville (2017) / College: Wofford
DB - Milton Wright, Louisville Christian (2018) / College: Purdue
OTHER
ATH - Kentavius Hopkins, Bourbon County (2012) / College: Eastern KY
ATH - Wandale Robinson, Western Hills (2018) / College: Nebraska
ATH - Jamale Carothers, Bowling Green (2016) / College: Navy
PK - Miles Butler, Paducah Tilghman (2013) / College: Kentucky