If last season taught us anything, it’s that trying to pick Kentucky’s Mr. Football winner in July is a fool’s errand.
Lexington Christian quarterback Cutter Boley — a four-star recruit who already had committed to the University of Kentucky — entered last season as the overwhelming favorite to take home Mr. Football honors.
Boley had a solid season — throwing for 2,187 yards and 24 touchdowns — but was bested for Mr. Football honors by Bell County running back Daniel Thomas , who rushed for a state-record 3,817 yards.
You just never know.
This year’s senior class in Kentucky is filled with high-level recruits and Division I commits. Picking a front-runner seems impossible at this point, but here are 10 players who should be in the hunt for the honor.
The list should not be considered a ranking of the top 10 college prospects in Kentucky. Instead, it should be viewed as a list of the top 10 Mr. Football candidates based on the factors most voters consider at the end of the season.
By the way, don’t blame the media if you disagree with the ultimate winner. The Associated Press discontinued its postseason awards in 2022, leaving the Kentucky Football Coaches Association as the lone organization to name a Mr. Football winner.
A reminder that only seniors are eligible. Players are listed alphabetically.
Austin Alexander (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) earned first-team A ll-State honors from The Courier Journal last season on defense after leading the Jaguars to the Class 5A title game. He ranked second on the team with 81 tackles (57 solo) and pitched in 19 sacks (No. 2 in the state), eight tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one interception. As a tight end, Alexander had 67 catches for 1,138 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has committed to North Carolina.
Brady Atwell (6-3, 225) beat out several worthy contenders for first-team All-State honors last season after leading the Aces to a 14-1 record and Class 2A runner-up finish. Atwell completed 69.3% of his passes (301 of 434) and led the state in passing yards (4,743) and passing touchdowns (68). Both numbers ranked second in state history behind the record-setting season of Lone Oak’s Corey Robinson in 2007 (5,872 yards, 91 TDs). Atwell also was the Aces’ leading rusher with 695 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per carry. His uncle, Travis Atwell, was Kentucky’s Mr. Football in 1999 as a senior quarterback at Hancock County. Brady Atwell has committed to play baseball at Western Kentucky.
Deuce Bailey (6-1, 160) earned third-team All-State honors at quarterback last season after l eading the Purples to the Class 5A state championship . He completed 68.8% of his passes (242 of 352) for 3,517 yards (No. 6 in the state) and 43 touchdowns (No. 7 in the state). He also rushed for 205 yards and eight scores. Bailey has committed to Missouri State.
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Javeon Campbell (6-5, 265) has one of the most interesting stories in the state. A top basketball player at Western Hills, Campbell never had played football until being convinced to try the sport last season. He posted 12 ½ sacks and is now ranked by 247Sports.com as the state’s No. 1 prospect in the senior class. He has committed to the University of Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over offers from Alabama, Auburn and Miami.
One of the state’s top two-way players, Martels Carter (6-1, 190) earned first-team All-State honors at defensive back last season while helping the Blue Tornado reach the Class 4A state semifinals. Carter had 44 tackles (29 solo), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense. On offense, he caught 43 passes for 1,066 yards and finished with 19 touchdowns (10 receiving, five punt returns, three rushing and one kickoff return). Carter, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the state by 247Sports.com, has committed to the University of Kentucky .
Don’t overlook Brock Coffman (6-0, 175) simply because he plays for a Class A school. He was a third-team All-State pick last year after posting 67 catches for 1,193 yards and 27 touchdowns (24 receiving, one interception return, one fumble return, one punt return). On defense, he posted 35 tackles (10 solo). Coffman has offers from Akron, Army, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Marshall, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), New Hampshire, Ohio, Rice, Tennessee-Martin, Toledo and Western Kentucky.
As a wide receiver and safety, Connor Hodge (6-1, 160) was one of the state’s top two-way players last season and earned first-team All-State defense honors. This season, he’ll move to quarterback after the graduation of his brother, Cole, and try to lead the Centurions to their third straight Class 3A state title . Hodge led the state with 11 interceptions last season and also ranked first in the state with 114 receptions, second in the state with 1,494 receiving yards and third in the state with 23 touchdown receptions. He has committed to East Carolina.
Jack James (6-0, 210) earned honorable-mention All-State honors last year after leading the Blue Tornado to the Class 4A state semifinals. James completed 68% of his passes (255 of 375) and ranked third in the state with 4,019 yards and 56 touchdowns. He also rushed for 247 yards and six touchdowns. Committed to Troy University. James also won the state wrestling title at 215 pounds in February.
A two-time All-State first-team selection, Montavin Quisenberry (5-10, 175) helped the Rebels go 15-0 and win their fourth straight Class 4A state title last season. He was the team’s top receiver with 43 catches for 864 yards and ranked second in rushing with 800 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He scored 35 touchdowns — 18 rushing, 12 receiving, three punt returns and two kickoff returns. On defense, he posted 51 tackles (25 solo), four tackles for loss and two interceptions. Quisenberry has committed to West Virginia.
Cortez Stone (5-11, 175) was a second-team All-State selection last season after leading the Yellowjackets to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Stone carried 278 times for 1,871 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He also caught 12 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown and scored seven 2-point conversions. Stone has 5,439 career rushing yards and is looking to join former Central star Ace Wales as the second running back in Louisville history to reach 7,000 yards. Stone has offers from Austin Peay, Ball State, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Purdue, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.
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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Mr. Football candidates 2024: Christian Academy QB, Central RB among contenders
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