Boyle's Dawson, Ballard's Parker head Class of the Commonwealth

A prototype linebacker and a prototype wide receiver are at the head of the Herald-Leader's 19th annual Class of the Commonwealth.

Lamar Dawson, Boyle County's hotly recruited linebacker, and DeVante Parker, Ballard's acrobatic wide receiver, are the biggest stars in this year's salute to 22 of the top high school football seniors in Kentucky.

Dawson, who led Boyle County to back-to-back state titles, will choose from among Kentucky, Louisville, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Southern California and Tennessee.

Parker, who caught everything thrown his way this season, has committed to Louisville, where he hopes to be a prime target for Seneca's strong-armed quarterback, DaMarcus Smith. Louisville Coach Charlie Strong also has commitments from Class of the Commonwealth's Jamon Brown and Jerrell Moore of Fern Creek.

Kentucky Coach Joker Phillips expects to sign at least five players off this year's all-star team: Jon Davis of Eastern, Josh Forrest of Paducah Tilghman, Daylen Hall of St. Xavier, Darrian Miller of Bryan Station and Zach West of Lexington Christian.

Phillips and Strong each would like to add Dawson and Christian County's Marcoreyon "Bubba" Tandy to his recruiting haul.

Players were chosen for the Class of the Commonwealth based primarily on their individual and team accomplishments, with consideration given to college potential.

Class of 2010

Jamon Brown, OL/DL, Fern Creek

Jon Combs, QB/DB, Hazard

Branden Cresap, QB, Collins

Jon Davis, RB/WR/TE/DL, Eastern

Lamar Dawson, LB/RB/TE, Boyle County

Josh Forrest, WR/DB, Paducah Tilghman

Luke Guhy, QB, Mayfield

Daylen Hall, RB/DB, St. Xavier

Flo Hardin, RB/DB, Ballard

Conner Hempel, QB, Ryle

Mitchell Henry, TE/DL, Elizabethtown