KY Breakout Players to Watch in 2024: ATH - Prep Redzone (2024)

Antajuan Dumphord Antajuan Dumphord 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Southwestern | 2025 State KY is in my opinion one of the most underrated players in the entire state. He is an electric playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. Dumphord does most of his damage at receiver where he is able to use his speed to pose as a dangerous deep threat. He finished his junior year with 57 receptions for 1,047 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Dumphord also made an impact as a ball carrier, running the ball 54 times for 322 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also returned one kickoff for a touchdown and made an impact on defense, finishing the year with 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, and an interception. Dumphord currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Thomas More, and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him after transferring from Wayne County to Southwestern for his senior year.

Ashton Drakeford Ashton Drakeford 6'3" | 180 lbs | ATH Mercer County | 2026 KY is a player who stood out to me as a sophom*ore. On offense, he lines up at receiver where he is a very impressive route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He has also shown impressive athleticism, showing the ability to go up and catch the ball at its highest point. Drakeford finished last season with 24 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He also ran the ball 33 times for 369 yards and six touchdowns, and played a key role as a returner on special teams. On defense, Drakeford made an impact as a defensive back, finishing his sophom*ore year with three interceptions. Ashton currently holds an offer from Akron and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect.

Jermiah Turner Jermiah Turner 5'7" | 165 lbs | ATH Frederick Douglass | 2027 State KY is a dynamic athlete who unfortunately had his freshman year taken away from him due to injury. He is a very skilled playmaker on offense, doin most of his damage at running back. Turner has impressive vision and elusiveness in the open field, showing the ability to find cut back lanes and make cuts with ease to make defenders miss. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Jermiah has also shown the ability to line up on the outside at receiver and pose as a threat in the passing game. Turner currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he gains more experience and continues to develop.

Cionne Conn Cionne Conn 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Frederick Douglass | 2027 KY is another 2027 prospect from Frederick Douglass who has jumped onto my radar. On defense, Conn lines up at safety where he is very reliable in coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make interceptions in stride. Cionne also makes an impact on the offensive side of the ball at receiver. He is a smooth route runner and has the speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. Conn recently picked up his first offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as his role on both sides of the ball continues to grow for the Broncos.

The final ATH in the state of Kentucky who I expect to have a breakout season this year is Max Hunt Max Hunt 6'6" | 195 lbs | ATH Covington Holy Cross | 2027 KY . Hunt is a long, athletic playmaker who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. On offense, Hunt lines up at tight end where he is a very reliable target in the passing game. He has shown the ability to create separation in his routes along with the speed to turn up the field and pick up extra yards after the catch. On the defensive side of the ball, Hunt lines up at defensive end where he is a very dangerous pass rusher off the edge. He has shown the ability to use an impressive combination of speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Max currently holds an offer from Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he continues to develop.