Jackson holds top spot, Long, Key make debuts
Advertisement
Thursday, Kentucky Preps released an updated version of its 2016 prospect rankings.
In this newest update you'll now see three prospects have obtained star rankings, another prospect has committed -- which now makes two-- and two new prospects on the list of ten.
It's so lonely at the top
Versailles, Ky. center Drake Jackson is not only separating himself from the rest of his in-state class, but he's separating himself from the rest of the centers in the country.
Jackson was the only Kentuckian to be named in the Rivals250, as well as the only center.
The 6-foot-2,287-pounder is often complimented on his footwork and ferocity. Many college coaches believe the nastiness Jackson plays with on the field cannot be taught.
Don't expect to see him removed from the top spot anytime soon.
Star Studded
Since the 2016 Rivals250 debuted, three 2016 Kentucky prospects have been granted star rankings. Of course Jackson receiving four stars, Lexington offensive lineman Landon Young and Louisville wide receiver Keion Wakefield both receiving three stars.
These prospects stand a chance of obtaining more stars, too.
Young hasn't been seen much. Next camp circuit, if the Lafayette stand out chooses to participate, he could really break out. He could also see more offers, even though he's solidly committed to Kentucky.
Wakefield just needs to continue to work on his physique. He's got all the tools to be a great slot receiver, just needs to fill out the rest of his body -- something he's currently working on. Not sure if he'll hit the camp scene quite as hard as he did this go around next time, but don't think the offers will stop for this Male High School prospect, either.
My Old Kentucky Home
Paducah athlete Zyaire Hughes recently decided he would stay in-state and attend the University of Kentucky. Hughes, like -- fellow Kentucky commit -- Young, had a lot more college attention heading his way, but chose to shut it down early.
The 2016 in-state class has the most talent number wise in quite some time and Kentucky -- by way of offensive coordinator Neal Brown -- has dove in head first. When Wildcat head coach Mark Stoops came to town he stated keeping the top in-state prospects in the Bluegrass was going to be a priority. Now he and his staff are making it happen.
In 2013, they did a clean up job nabbing Ryan Timmons, Jason Hatcher and Jacob Hyde before signing day.
A year later, they grabbed four of the top five prospects in the state. All while competing against South Carolina for Burlington quarterback Drew Barker, Alabama for Elizabethtown defensive tackle Matt Elam and Penn State for Louisville defensive end Lloyd Tubman.
Currently, the Wildcats have two commitments in the 2015 class in four-star, Rivals250 Bolwing Green linebacker Eli Brown and three-star Henderson offensive lineman Mason Wolfe. And they're hot on the trail of the highest ranked Kentucky native in the history of Rivals.com, the country's No.1 running back Damien Harris.
In this 2016 in-state class Kentucky has offers on the table to Jackson, Wakefield and Ashland running back Quinton Baker. And it's likely they'll land all three.
Movin' on up
Moving into Kentucky Prep's 2016 prospect rankings for the first time are Ashland cornerback Jacob Long and Lexington safety Devon Key. These two prospects were impressive on the camp circuit during the offseason.
Long was named as a top underclassmen at Rivals Camp Series: Columbus. While at Kentucky he grabbed the attention of coaches too. He also told Kentucky Preps he had a good showing at Marshall in his times camping there.
Key caught the eyes of the Kentucky coaching staff during his time in Lexington as well. He doesn't get many days off, either. At practice Key will see some of the top athletes in the state on his high school team, Bryan Station.
Just missed it
Former Lexington quarterback, now residing in Paris Clay Bolin just missed the top ten. He's not alone, Pineville offensive lineman Nathan Murray and Georgetown athlete Keith Guy were just left off the list as well.