Check out the top players who could be Kentucky’s next Mr. Football
Since before The Associated Press began awarding the title of Mr. Football in 1986, there have always been arguments about who ranks as the best high school football player in Kentucky.
And whether Mr. Football should be based on one outstanding season or honor the cumulative accomplishments of a career is a major point of debate. Folks will also want to argue about the rule that Mr. Football has to be a senior.
In recent years, there have been two Mr. Football honors awarded, one by the media, the other by a coaches vote. Only once have the two diverged. In 2020, the AP awarded a tie to Beechwood’s Cameron Hergott and Frederick Douglass’s Jager Burton. Hergott was the sole coaches’ pick.
Three of the last four winners of the award had a transcendent performance in their respective state championship game to seal their bids. The coaches’ Mr. Football will be announced in December. The media Mr. Football comes later.
Who should win the award this season?
We’ve come up with a list of top candidates and their qualifications and set up a poll online so you can vote on your favorite. Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Statistics are through Week 1 of the playoffs if updated by the school. Stats in italics if last game not included.
Mitchell Berger
Running back, Beechwood (10-1)
2022 stats: 1,119 yards, 21 TDs rushing; 251 yards, 2 TDs receiving, 1 FG, 19/19 PATs, 2 fumble recoveries.
Career stats: 1,688 yards, 36 TDs rushing; 1,417 yards, 14 TDs receiving; 1 FG, 19/19 PATs, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 sack, 2 interceptions.
Notes: Eastern Kentucky baseball commit; 2021 Courier Journal third team all-state defense; 2021 AP first team all-state defense, honorable mention all-state offense; part of back-to-back Class 2A state champions; suffered season-ending knee injury last month.
Blake Birchfield
Running back, Pikeville (8-2)
2022 stats: 1,347 yards, 25 TDs rushing, 20 yards receiving.
Career stats: 4,606 yards, 59 TDs rushing; 295 yards, 2 TDs receiving, fumble recovery TD, 59 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions.
Notes: 2021 Class A title game MVP; 2021 CJ third team all-state offense; 2021 AP second team all-state offense. Part of two Class A state championships.
Ty Bryant
All-purpose back, Frederick Douglass (11-0)
2022 stats: 206 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 3 punt return TDs, 10 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception.
Career stats: 515 yards, 22 TDs rushing; 111 yards, 1 TD receiving; 3 punt return TDs, 1 kickoff return TD, 230 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 interceptions, 1 for a TD.
Notes: Kentucky commit and three-star recruit by 247Sports.com. 2021 AP all-state first team defense; 2021 CJ all-state honorable mention defense; led team in tackles twice. Part of four straight district titles, three straight region titles and two Class 5A runner-up teams.
Kenyata Carbon
Running back/defensive back, Owensboro (9-2)
2022 stats: 1,178 yards, 21 TDs rushing; 201 yards, 1 TD receiving; kickoff return TD; 2 interceptions.
Career stats: 2,021 yards, 36 TDs rushing; 294 yards, 4 TDs receiving; 2 kickoff return TDs; 92 tackles; 1 sack; 8 interceptions, 1 for a TD.
Notes: Injured for part of 2021; part of four consecutive district titles and three straight region titles and the 2020 Class 5A runner-up.
Cristian Conyer
Defensive back/wide receiver, South Warren (6-5)
2022 stats: 292 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 63 yards rushing; 9 tackles; 1 interception.
Career stats: 736 yards, 9 TDs receiving; 113 yards, 1 TD rushing; 31 tackles, 1 interception; kickoff return TD.
Notes: Tennessee commit and three-star recruit by 247Sports.com with 11 college offers. 2021 CJ all-state honorable mention; part of 2021 Class 5A state championship.
Chase Crone
Quarterback, Simon Kenton (8-3)
2022 stats: 84-154-4, 1,267 yards, 13 TDs passing; 834 yards, 17 TDs rushing.
Career stats: 6,477 yards, 52 TDs passing; 2,834 yards, 46 TDs rushing.
Notes: 2021 KFCA Class 6A, District 6 player of the year; Four-year starter at QB; helped Simon Kenton to district championships his freshman and senior years.
Max DeGraff
Wide receiver/kicker, Lexington Catholic (9-2)
2022 stats: 1,308 yards, 20 TDs receiving, 53/54 PATs, 4/6 FGs.
Career stats: 1,502 yards, 20 TDs receiving, 162/166 PATs, 24/33 FGs.
Notes: 2021 CJ all-state honorable mention; holds team records for field goals and receiving yards in a game (274).
Jakob Dixon
Wide receiver, Pleasure Ridge Park (7-4)
2022 stats: 919 yards, 13 TDs receiving; fumble recovery TD.
Career stats: 1,582 yards, 22 TDs receiving; fumble recovery TD.
Notes: Three-sport athlete including basketball and track; Kentucky commit.
Brysen Dugger
Quarterback, Pulaski County (9-2)
2022 stats: 186-274-4, 3,029 yards, 39 TDs passing; 299 yards, 8 TDs rushing.
Career stats: 4,227 yards, 50 TDs passing; 426 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 421 yards, 2 TDs receiving.
Notes: Class 5A’s top passer at 263 yards per game; three-sport athlete including basketball and baseball.
Travis Egan
Quarterback, Bullitt East (10-1)
2022 stats: 147-228-4, 2,139 yards, 26 TDs passing; 620 yards, 14TDs rushing, 1 defensive interception.
Career stats: 5,958 yards, 67 TDs passing, 1,174 yards, 24 TDs rushing, 82 tackles, two defensive sacks, 4 defensive interceptions.
Notes: Led the Chargers to the 2022 Class 6A District 4 championship with a win over perennial power Male and the team’s best record since 2013.
Chandler Godby
Wide receiver/defensive back, Pulaski County (9-2)
2022 stats: 1,546 yards, 26 TDs receiving; 40 yards rushing; 3 interceptions, 1 for a TD, kickoff return TD.
Career stats: 2,906 yards, 46 TDs receiving, 46 yard rushing; 4 interceptions, 1 for a TD, kickoff return TD, punt return TD.
Notes: 2021 CJ all-state third team offense; 2021 AP all-state honorable mention offense.
Kenyon Goodin
Quarterback/defensive back, Collins (6-5)
2022 stats: 141-258-4, 1,928 yards, 23 TDs passing; 1,225 yards, 18 TDs rushing; 67 tackles, 4 defensive interceptions, 1 for a TD; fumble forced, fumble recovered.
Career stats: 4,414 yards, 51 TDs passing; 2,279 yards, 42 TDs rushing; 854 yards, 13 TDs receiving; 168 tackles, 8 defensive interceptions; fumble forced, fumble recovered.
Notes: 2021 KFCA Class 5A, District 7 player of the year; 2021 CJ third team all-state defense, 2021 AP second team all-state defense.
Lofton Howard
Linebacker/tight end, Greenwood (9-2)
2022 stats: 413 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 369 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 18 yards, 1 TD passing; 100 tackles; 7 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced.
Career stats: 585 yards, 26 TDs rushing; 563 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 360 yards, 4 TDs passing; 398 tackles; 16 sacks; 5 interceptions, 1 for a TD; 1 fumble forced; 1 fumble recovery.
Notes: Western Kentucky commit; 4-year starter; 2021 CJ and AP all-state honorable mention defense.
Kris Hughes
All-purpose back, Union County (11-0)
2022 stats: 902 yards, 14 TDs rushing; 813 yards, 10 TDs receiving; 51 tackles; punt return TD; kickoff return TD; forced fumble.
Career stats: 1,700 yards, 28 TDs rushing; 2,244 yards, 26 TDs receiving; 153 tackles; 11 INTs, punt return TD; 4 kickoff return TDs; 3 fumble recoveries, 1 for a TD, 2 fumbles forced, 3 KO return TDs
Notes: 2021 AP all-state honorable mention defense; part of 2020, 2022 district championship teams.
Ethan Jarvis
Running back/defensive back, Prestonsburg (8-3)
2022 stats: 1,628 yards, 26 TDs rushing; 213 yards, 3 TDs; 3 fumble recoveries, 16 tackles.
Career stats: 2,688 yards, 40 TDs rushing; 342 yards, 4 TDs passing; 5 fumble recoveries; 78 tackles.
Notes: Leading rusher and second leading scorer in Class 2A.
Jacob Jones
Quarterback, West Jessamine (4-7)
2022 stats: 166-263-6, 2,415 yards, 23 TDs passing; 1,741 yards, 28 TDs rushing.
Career stats: 6,213 yards, 57 TDs passing; 2,546 yards, 44 TDs rushing.
Notes: Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and Rivals.
Jonah Little
Quarterback, Letcher County Central (8-3)
2022 stats: 70-133-8, 1,143 yards, 13 TDs passing; 1,722 yards, 32 TDs rushing; 2 fumble recoveries; 1/1 PATs; 16 tackles.
Career stats: 1,196 yards, 13 TDs passing; 2,088 yards, 36 TDs rushing; 578 yards, three TDs receiving; 123 tackles, 1 sack; 2 KO return TDs; 21/30 PATs; 1 forced fumble; 2 fumble recoveries; 1/1 PATs.
Notes: Multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball.
Daisjaun Mercer
Wide receiver/defensive back, Hopkinsville (6-5)
2022 stats: 722 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 230 yards, 5 TDs rushing; 3 interceptions, 2 for a TD; punt return TD; 31 tackles.
Career stats: 2,045 yards, 24 TDs receiving; 499 yards, 7 TDs rushing; 109 tackles; punt return TD, 12 interceptions, 2 for a TD.
Notes: Miami (Ohio) commit and three-star recruit by 247Sports.com; part of 2020 district and region champions in Class 4A.
Kaden Moorman
All-purpose back, Franklin County (6-5)
2022 stats: 678 yards, 8 TDs rushing; 107 yards, 1 TD receiving.
Career stats: 2,731 yards, 50 TDs rushing; 771 yards, 7 TDs receiving; 2 kickoff return TDs; forced fumble; 29 tackles.
Notes: Missed three games this season; former Kentucky commit and three-star recruit by 247Sports.com who re-opened his recruitment last month. 2021 CJ and AP all-state second team offense; 2021 KFCA Class 4A, District 4 player of the year.
Reese Music
Running back/defensive back, Betsy Layne (5-6)
2022 stats: 1,935 yards, 23 TDs rushing; 26 yards receiving; 91 tackles; 1 kickoff return TD; 2 fumble recoveries; 1/2 PATs.
Career stats: 2,361 yards, 27 TDs rushing; 649 yards, 5 TDs receiving, 177 tackles; 1 kickoff return TD; 2 fumble recoveries; 1/2 PATs.
Notes: State’s second-leading rusher at 176 yards per game behind Bell County junior Daniel Thomas.
Aden Nelson
Wide receiver/defensive back, Woodford County (10-1)
2022 stats: 623 yards, 10 TDs receiving; 302 yards, 4 TDs rushing; 1 TD passing; 42 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions.
Career stats: 1,368 yards, 19 TDs receiving; 315 yards, 4 TDs rushing; 171 yards, 2 TDs passing; 98 tackles, 1 sack, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries; 6 interceptions.
Notes: Part of 2021 district and region champions.
Charlie Noon
All-purpose back, Highlands (9-2)
2022 stats: 722 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 228 yards rushing, punt return TD, kickoff return TD, safety.
Career stats: 2,233 yards, 23 TDs passing; 1,977 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 722 yards, 8 TDs receiving, 1 defensive interception.
Notes: 2021 CJ honorable mention all-state offense; switched from quarterback his senior year; helped Bluebirds to their first district title since 2015.
Ryan Rayno
Running back, Logan County (10-1)
2022 stats: 1,776 yards, 21 TDs rushing; 74 yards receiving, 3 tackles; 1.5 sacks.
Career stats: 3,165 yards 41 TDs rushing; 221 yards, 1 TD receiving; 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks.
Notes: 2021 AP all-state honorable mention offense; holds school record for rushing yards in a season with this year’s total. helped Cougars to back-to-back district championships and a 2021 region championship in Class 4A.
Preston Stacy
Running back/linebacker, Woodford County (10-1)
2022 stats: 831 yards, 18 TDs rushing; 94 yards, 2 TDs receiving; 28.5 tackles; 1 sack.
Career stats: 3,671 yards, 47 TDs rushing; 732 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 54 tackles; 3.5 sacks.
Notes: Holds Woodford County’s all-time rushing record; played for Henry Clay as a freshman. Helped Yellow Jackets to 2021 district and region championships in Class 5A.
Cooper Stone
Quarterback, Bethlehem (9-2)
2022 stats: 130-226-8, 2,515 yards, 27 TDs passing; 1 TD rushing.
Career stats: 6,192 yards, 63 TDs passing; 8 TDs rushing.
Notes: Class A passing leader; helped lead Eagles to 2021 district and region championships.
Jacob Wease
Quarterback, Trigg County (7-4)
2022 stats: 125-216-5, 2,098 yards, 20 TDs passing; 33 yards, 5 TDs rushing.
Career stats: 5,839 yards, 62 TDs passing; 57 yards, 9 TDs rushing.
Notes: Leading passer in Class 3A with 236 yards per game. Broke Trigg career records for passing and touchdowns.
Tanner Wright
Running back, Southwestern (11-0)
2022 stats: 1,351 yards, 21 TDs rushing; 79 yards, 1 TD receiving; 19 tackles, fumble forced.
Career stats: 3,830 yards, 47 TDs rushing; 224 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 92 tackles; 1 interception; fumble forced.
Notes: 2021 AP all-state honorable mention; part of four straight district championships.
Tommy Ziesmer
Defensive end/tight end, Boyle County (9-2)
2022 stats: 57 tackles; six sacks; 2 forced fumbles.
Career stats: 210 tackles; 27 sacks; 10 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 for a TD; 39 yards, 1 TD receiving.
Notes: Kentucky commit and three-star recruit by 247Sports.com; 4-year starter part of back-to-back Class 4A state champs in 2020, 2021, and state runner-up in 2019. 2021 CJ and AP all-state first team defense.
Others
Twitter mentions and other sleepers: Micah Carter, St. Xavier (Purdue commit); Saadiq Clements, Henderson County (Purdue commit); Damin Green, Bryan Station (career 1,776 yards, 17 TDs receiving); Quintel Thomas, Eastern (1,628 yards, 12 TDs rushing); Carson Wright, Pikeville (102 tackles, 4 sacks this season).
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 8:27 AM.
