Nate's First Looks: Eastern Kentucky

KENTUCKY-- What's up Kentucky?! My name is Nate Wahl and I am a Midwest scout for Prep Redzone. I may scout the Midwest, but Kentucky was my home for almost five years, so I have a lot of respect for high school football in the Bluegrass State. I will start my time with PRZ Kentucky flying around the state, by giving you some first looks of some prospects that showed off some great skills on tape and should become next-level prospects in the coming years. We will start our trip around I-64 in Eastern Kentucky where I will tell you all about seven prospects that caught my eyes in my first day scouting the Bluegrass State! Hope you enjoy the ride. Byron May | Defensive End | Rowan County (Morehead) | 2023 Byron shows off very active hands when he's shedding off blockers. The 6'2.5 230 pound defensive end erupted in 2022 for Rowan County with 15.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss. He shows an excellent bend at the waist and is an instinctive attacker into the backfield where he puts himself in an excellent stance to make a play on the ball. In my eyes, Byron is certainly well on his way to playing college football at the next level as he shows solid speed off the snap as well and closes the gap inside very well. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GQLqM">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/ByronMay23">Twitter</a> Carson Patrick | Wide Receiver | Russell | 2023 The first thing I noticed when evaluating Carson's film was just how long his reach was for a 6'4 wide receiver. He shows a great route-running ability and is a prospect that has strong stamina to finish his catches in the end zone inside open space. This kid is also a fighter for the football, as he will fight his butt off for every high-traffic catch he can make especially in the redzone. He has a greatly active twitch in his hips to change directions, and that also sells why he's such a great route runner. Carson also has a strong vertical as well and I watched on his tape that he certainly got a better burst off the snap the deeper in the season I watched his tape. Excited to see what kind of damage this young man can do in his senior season as he has a college football future in my book. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14936140/61545fb142103607387e9f7e">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/carson_patrick2">Twitter</a> Andre Richardson-Crews | Running Back | Russell | 2024 The straight line burst on this young man is fun to watch as just a sophomore. Andre does a great job at hitting his gaps on the inside run and can power thru with his speed thru some really tight windows. I would love to see Andre display his footwork more on film, as that would be a great development over his next two years of high school football. Andre shows great durability in his runs as well, as it usually takes a couple dudes on defense to bring him to the turf. Yet another fiery offensive prospect with next level skill from this Russell offense. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fe9VA">So Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AndreCrews8">Twitter</a> Izack Messer | Defensive End | East Carter (Grayson) | 2024 I am a big fan of how well this young man makes strong contact with the ball carrier. Another strong skillset Izack as is his motor. I haven't seen too many defensive ends get out of the box and chase down too many ball carriers on the sidelines like this kid. Izack has quick hands and can get off sheds quite quickly. I think with some offseason work getting stronger in the weight room, this young man should have a bright future at East Carter. This kid has a lot of torque in his game that I love to watch. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GWxFi">So Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/I_Messer50">Twitter</a> Terell Jordan | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Ashland Blazer | 2023 Do not be fooled by this young man's size, because he has so many skillsets that make him such a fun athlete to watch. Terell has a very high vertical that can outjump some bigger wide receivers. Not to mention, this kid kills it with his speed in the open field. He also has a hella amount of physicality especially when he lines up in press man at corner and plays with a ton of grit. Terell is a excellent receiving threat on the screen play as he has exceptional footwork to juke the defender out of their shoes. This kid is also a solid deep threat that has no fear against a bigger cornerback. Expect a huge senior year out of this Tomcat and some solid college football opportunities coming his way. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GHfMK">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Terell2Jordan">Twitter</a> Josh Thornton | Tight End/Defensive End | Boyd County (Ashland) | 2023 Josh is a well put together possession tight end that adds long arms to 6'3 240 pound frame. What I like most about Josh's tape is how strong his body when he breaks into his route. He's not going to burn you with his speed, but his physicality on higher-traffic catches is what make his film great to watch. As a defensive end, Josh shows a quick trigger to get to the ball off the snap and yet again, uses that long reach to grab the ball carrier to the turf with some extra length that some defensive ends do not have like he does. I think he might project even better at the next level at defensive end, as I feel I like his feel for the position just slightly more. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GGhNu">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/joshtho63962192">Twitter</a> Kyin Lewis | Offensive Line | Mason County (Maysville) | 2023 I love offensive linemen that can finish their blocks, and that is the truth with Kyin Lewis of Mason County. He has good foot speed to get over to the other side of the line to pull block, and I think still has some juice in the tank to develop even more football speed. Kyin plays with a lot of grit, and as a guard you want your lineman to have a fearless demeanor in which I believe this kid has. Kyin gets out his stance even faster when he's the lead blocker as he uses a great combination of aggressive hands and great leverage. I certainly see college football in this young man's future. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8474061/619d0cdb3dea810894f8eddf">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KyinLewis">Twitter</a>