Check out the top players who could be Kentucky’s 2024 Mr. Football
Each year, the Kentucky Football Coaches Association recognizes an outstanding senior as its “Mr. Football.”
The list is exclusive. Past winners include the likes of Covington Catholic’s Michael Meyer (now with the Las Vegas Raiders), Western Hills’ Wan’Dale Robinson (New York Giants) and Boone County’s Shaun Alexander (an NFL MVP for the Seattle Seahawks).
Who will win this year’s award? There are a number of outstanding candidates — some who come to mind immediately. Then there are others who will probably need to make a splash over the last few weeks of the postseason to get on the voters’ radar.
The award has been chosen exclusively by coaches in the KFCA since 2022.
While KFCA member coaches will have the final say, the Herald-Leader has set up a fan poll online so you can vote for your favorite and let your voice be heard.
Below is the Herald-Leader’s estimation of the most likely candidates for the award with the front runners and long shots each listed in alphabetical order. Remember, only seniors are eligible for the award.
THE TOP OF THE CHART
The following players have had outstanding careers and senior seasons and their past accomplishments and the positions they play make them clear front runners for this year’s award.
BRADY ATWELL, OWENSBORO CATHOLIC
6-3/225/QB/Western Kentucky baseball commit.
2024: 2,659 yards, 38 TDs passing, 435 yards, 12 TDs rushing, 2 tackles.
Career: 10,524 yards, 142 TDs passing, 1,839 yards, 40 TDs rushing, 27 yards, receiving, 95 tackles, 4, defensive interceptions.
Notes: 2023 first team all-state and KFCA Class 2A player of the year and state finalist, 2024 district player of the year.
DEUCE BAILEY, BOWLING GREEN
6-0/170/QB/Missouri State commit.
2024: 2,585 yards, 37 TDs passing, 271 yards, 2 TDs rushing, 4 tackles.
Career: 13,114 yards, 163 TDs passing, 425 yards, 12 TDs rushing, 6 tackles.
Notes: 2023 Class 5A state finals MVP and KFCA player of the year, 2023 third team all-state, 2022 all-state honorable mention, 2023 and 2024 district player of the year.
JACK JAMES, PADUCAH TILGHMAN
Paducah Tilghman, 5-11.5/195/QB/Troy State commit.
2024: 3,253 yards, 47 TDs passing, 130 yards, 5 TDs rushing.
Career: 13,114 yards, 163 TDs passing, 425 yards, 12 TDs rushing, 6 tackles.
Notes: Kentucky’s all-time passing TDs leader, 2021 Class 3A state finalist, 2023 all-state honorable mention, 2024 district player of the year.
MONTAVIN QUISENBERRY, BOYLE COUNTY
5-9/160/WR/DB/Kentucky commit.
2024: 109 yards, 2 TDs passing, 584 yards, 10 TDs rushing, 760 yards, 12 TDs receiving, 28 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 punt return TD.
Career: 1,313 yards, 15 TDs passing, 3,894 yards, 57 TDs rushing, 2,475 yards, 37 TDs receiving, 149 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, 7 punt return TDs, 5 kickoff return TDs.
Notes: 2023 Class 4A finals MVP and two-time state champion, 2022 and 2023 first team all-state, 2024 district player of the year.
CORTEZ STONE, CENTRAL
5-10/170/RB/Uncommitted.
2024: 1,722 yards, 30 TDs rushing, 52 yards, 15 tackles.
Career: 7,161 yards, 100 TDs rushing, 457 yards, 2 TDs receiving, 17 tackles, 1 kickoff return TD.
Notes: 2023 second team all-state, 2022 first team all-state, 2024 district player of the year.
THE LONGER SHOTS
The following players have all had outstanding careers and/or senior seasons, but they would probably need to make a significant splash in the postseason to jump into the top tier list of candidates in the Herald-Leader’s estimation.
AUSTIN ALEXANDER, COOPER
6-3/243/TE/DE/North Carolina commit.
2024: 468 yards, 6 TDs receiving, 35 tackles, 10 sacks.
Career: 2,284 yards, 32 TDs receiving, 262 tackles, 45.5 sacks, 1 interception.
Notes: 2023 first team all-state and Class 5A state finalist.
BRENDEN ANTHONY, PIKEVILLE
5-10/215, LB/RB/Uncommitted.
2024: 1,009 yards, 9 TDs rushing, 148 yards, 2 TDs receiving, 112 tackles, 2 sacks.
Career: 2,730 yards, 35 TDs rushing, 297 yards, 5 TDs receiving, 435 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 interception for a TD.
Notes: 2023 Class A state finals MVP, three-time state champion, 2023 and 2024 district player of the year, holds Pikeville career tackles record.
DEMAURIAH BROWN, BOYLE COUNTY
5-10/175/ATH/DB/Uncommitted.
2024: 1,107 yards, 14 TDs rushing, 144 yards, 2 TDs receiving, 25 tackles, 1 interception.
Career: 280 yards, 2 TDs passing, 3,834 yards, 56 TDs rushing, 904 yards, 10 TDs receiving, 131 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, 4 scoop- and-score TDs, 2 kickoff return TDs.
Notes: 2023 all-state honorable mention and Class 4A state champion.
BROCK COFFMAN, SAYRE
6-0/170/WR/DB/Ohio commit.
2024: 1,147 yards, 21 TDs receiving, 38 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 punt return TDs.
Career: 3,511 yards, 55 TDs receiving, 117 tackles, 19 interceptions, 4 punt return TDs, two pick sixes, 1 kickoff return TD, 1 fumble recovery TD.
Notes: 2023 all-state third team, 2024 district player of the year.
KADE ELAM, CORBIN
6-1/215/QB/Louisville baseball commit.
2024: 2,935 yards, 33 TDs passing, 293 yards, 10 TDs rushing.
Career: 8,408 yards, 99 TDs passing, 1,116 yards, 33 TDs rushing, 6 yards, receiving.
Notes: 2022 Class 4A state finalist, 2023 all-state honorable mention, 2024 district player of the year.
CONNOR HODGE, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY-LOUISVILLE
6-1/160/QB/WR/DB/East Carolina commit.
2024: 2,712 yards, 29 TDs passing, 518 yards, 10 TDs rushing, 22 tackles, 3 defensive interceptions.
Career: 2,757 yards, 29 TDs passing, 520 yards, 10 TDs rushing, 2,006 yards, 31 TDs receiving, 125 tackles, 21 interceptions, 4 pick sixes.
Notes: 2023 all-state first team at defensive back, two-time Class 3A state champion.
ANTONIO HARRIS, MALE
6-0/170/ATH/DB/Louisville commit.
2024: 341 yards, 5 TDs rushing, 574 yards, 9 TDs receiving, 1 tackles.
Career: 60 yards passing, 381 yards, 5 TDs rushing, 1,878 yards, 30 TDs receiving, 47 tackles, 5 interceptions.
Notes: 2023 all-state second team, 2022 all-state honorable mention, 2024 district player of the year.
JARREN JOHNSON, UNION COUNTY
5-8/180/QB/DB/Uncommitted.
2024: 403 yards, 4 TDs passing, 1,848 yards, 34 TDs rushing, 5 yards, receiving, 35 tackles, 1, defensive interception.
Career: 1,083 yards, 10 TDs passing, 4,536 yards, 72 TDs rushing, 45 yards, 0 TDs receiving, 60 tackles, 1 interception.
Notes: 2023 and 2024 district player of the year.
JEREMIAH JONES, MURRAY
6-4/200/WR/SS/Nebraska commit.
2024: 26 yards passing, 65 yards, 2 TDs rushing, 946 yards, 8 TDs receiving, 113 tackles, 11, 1 interception.
Career: 128 yards, 2 TDs passing, 316 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 1,272 yards, 10 TDs receiving, 283 tackles, 16 sacks, 15 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery TD.
Notes: Three-star recruit.
ZACK MCCOART, JOHNSON CENTRAL
5-10/185/RB/Uncommitted.
2024: 2,221 yards, 31 TDs rushing, 18 yards, receiving, 1 tackle, 1 interception.
Career: 5,394 yards, 77 TDs rushing, 54 yards receiving, 21 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 punt return TD.
Notes: Suffered season-ending knee injury in first game of junior year.
ANDREW MCCUTCHEON, BETSY LAYNE
5-6/160/RB/LB/Uncommitted.
2024: 2,157 yards, 29 TDs rushing, 214 yards, 4 TDs receiving, 61 tackles.
Career: 4,089 yards, 56 TDs rushing, 586 yards, 8 TDs receiving, 242 tackles, 1 sack.
Notes: State’s top senior in yards rushing per game (216).
LUKE PENNINGTON, SAYRE
5-11/175, QB/S/Dayton commit.
2024: 2,158 yards, 42 TDs passing, 50 yards, 3 TDs rushing, 4 tackles.
Career: 6,722 yards, 120 TDs passing, 138 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 84 yards, 1 TDs receiving, 116 tackles, 5, defensive interceptions.
Notes: Has not thrown an interception this season, 2023 all-state honorable mention.
PEYTON SMITH, FREDERICK DOUGLASS
6-1/160/RB/CB/Eastern Kentucky commit.
2024: 495 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 43 yards, 1 TD receiving
Career: 5,116 yards, 67 TDs rushing, 469 yards, 6 TDs receiving, 16 tackles.
Notes: Had 1,841 yards and 23 TDs rushing as a freshman at Taylor County.
KALEN “JAWS” WASHINGTON, BRYAN STATION
5-9.5/210/RB/Uncommitted.
2024: 1,547 yards, 19 TDs rushing, 151 yards, 1 TD receiving, 1 tackle.
Career: 4,772 yards, 58 TDs rushing, 594 yards, 5 TDs receiving, 31 tackles.
Notes: Topped 1,000 yards each of the last three seasons, 2023 Class 6A state finalist.
OTHERS OF NOTE
With (2024 stats). Blaze Berry, Eminence (2,441 yards, 22 TDs passing; 261 yards, 4 TDs rushing); Bryce Button, South Warren (2,152 yards, 30 TDs passing, 192 yards, 7 TDs rushing); Mike Curry Jr., Atherton (1249 yards, 20 TDs rushing, 248 yards, 4 TDs receiving, 18 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pick six); Dalton Elliott, Prestonsburg (32 yards, 1 TD passing, 1,390 yards, 15 TDs rushing, 90 yards, 2 TDs receiving, 20 tackles, 2 interceptions); Wyatt Hatfield, Conner (517 yards, 6 TDs passing, 1,463 yards, 25 TDs rushing, 44 yards receiving, 12 tackles, 4 interceptions); Brenan Griffin, Hart County (1,039 yards, 10 TDs rushing, 56 yards receiving, 165 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions); Clay Hayden, Beechwood (2,126 yards, 38 TDs passing, 104 yards rushing); Braxton Jennings, Ashland Blazer (23 yards passing, 793 yards, 17 TDs rushing, 411 yards, 5 TDs receiving, 43 tackles, 4 interceptions); Jax Niece, Estill County (1,305 yards, 21 TDs rushing, 102 yards, 1 TD receiving, 113 tackles, 1 interception); Jordan Robertson, Doss (1,955 yards, 22 TDs rushing, 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, fumble recovery TD); Tyson Sammons, Greenup County (1,621 yards, 19 TDs passing, 1,505 yards, 23 TDs rushing, 85 tackles, 3 interceptions); Malachi Simmons, Garrard County (1,136 yards, 22 TDs rushing, 26 yards, receiving, 27 tackles, 3 sacks); Justus Wertzler, Woodford County (2,457 yards, 28 TDs passing, 258 yards, 4 TDs rushing).
