A brief history of Kentucky’s Mr. Football award
Need a refresher on the history of Kentucky’s Mr. Football award? Look no further.
Jamale Carothers became the 31st recipient of the state’s highest individual senior honor, presented by the Associated Press, in January. Carothers, a three-time state champion at Bowling Green High School who signed with the U.S. Naval Academy, rushed for nearly 6,000 yards in his prep career. He led the Purples in scoring in his final three seasons with the program.
Some other facts about the award ...
▪ Quarterbacks have won Mr. Football 15 times, more than any other position group. A running back has been named Mr. Football eight times. Only three receivers have won the award, but two came in the last five seasons.
▪ Western Kentucky has produced 13 Mr. Football winners, the most of any region in the state. Louisville has seven. Central Kentucky and Northern Kentucky have four apiece. Eastern Kentucky has three.
▪ No player from a Lexington school has won Mr. Football.
▪ Frank Jacobs, a star tight end for Newport Central Catholic, won the first award in 1986. A player from his position has not won the award since.
▪ Twelve Mr. Football recipients have played for UK. Six have suited up for Louisville.
Year | Player | High school | Position | College |
1986 | Frank Jacobs | Newport Central Catholic | TE | Notre Dame |
1987 | Kurt Barber | Paducah Tilghman | LB | Southern Cal |
1988 | Jeff Brohm | Trinity | QB | Louisville |
1989 | Pookie Jones | Calloway County | QB | Kentucky |
1990 | Damon Hood | Warren Central | RB | Kentucky |
1991 | Scott Russell | Evarts | RB | Lees-McRae/Union |
1992 | Billy Jack Haskins | Paducah Tilghman | QB | Kentucky/Rhode Island |
1993 | Jeremy Simpson | Lincoln County | RB | Cumberland |
1994 | Shaun Alexander | Boone County | RB | Alabama |
1995 | Tim Couch | Leslie County | QB | Kentucky |
1996 | Derek Homer | Fort Knox | RB | Kentucky |
1997 | Dennis Johnson | Harrodsburg | DL/OL | Kentucky |
1998 | Jared Lorenzen | Highlands | QB | Kentucky |
1999 | Travis Atwell | Hancock County | QB | Toledo/Kentucky |
2000 | Montrell Jones | Male | WR | Tennessee/Louisville |
2001 | Jeff Duggins | Boyle County | QB | Alfred State |
2002 | Michael Bush | Male | QB | Louisville |
2003 | Brian Brohm | Trinity | QB | Louisville |
2004 | Curtis Pulley | Hopkinsville | QB | Kentucky |
2005 | Micah Johnson | Fort Campbell | LB | Kentucky |
2006 | Douglas Beaumont | Male | RB | Louisville |
2007 | Corey Robinson | Lone Oak | QB | Troy |
2008 | Deuce Finch | St. Xavier | RB | Boston College |
2009 | Antonio Andrews | Fort Campbell | QB | Western Kentucky |
2010 | Lamar Dawson | Boyle County | LB | Southern Cal |
2011 | Patrick Towles | Highlands | QB | Kentucky/Boston College |
2012 | James Quick | Trinity | WR | Louisville |
2013 | Nacarius Fant | Bowling Green | WR | Western Kentucky |
2014 | Elijah Sindelar | Caldwell County | QB | Purdue |
2015 | Kash Daniel | Paintsville | LB/QB | Kentucky |
2016 | Jamale Carothers | Bowling Green | RB | Navy |
This story was originally published August 12, 2017 at 4:55 PM with the headline "A brief history of Kentucky’s Mr. Football award."