[Stardust]

Austin Abner
School: Highlands

Position: DB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 180

Buzz: Was a starter on last year's defense that allowed just 11 points per game. Very technically-sound defensive back who usually is in the right position. Will anchor one of the top defensive backfields in the area.

Coach's quote: "He's just taken off. He's made such a big jump from a year ago. The guy looks like a bodybuilder. He's so fast and athletic and skilled. And he's such a hitter too. We like to get him around the ball." - Highlands coach Dale Mueller

Austin Baldwin
School: Simon Kenton

Position: LB

Height: 5-10

Weight: 192

Buzz: One of the area's leading tacklers. Will anchor a very talented linebacking corps.

Coach's quote: "His toughness and nose for the ball are great. He's just always around the ball. He has a knack and an instinct that is special to really good linebackers. He's just a really darn good high school linebacker. People are going to have to account for him." - Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry

Dvontae Bradley
School: Cooper

Position: RB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 203

Buzz: As a junior, playing his first year of varsity football, he rushed for 1,608 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games. His 179 rushing yards a game last season ranked sixth in the state.

Coach's quote: "I think the biggest thing this year is that he's just more confident in what he's doing. He was kind of hesitant last year. This year he's just more confident with everything he's doing. And he's been one of our leaders, right off the bat. Last year it took him a while to grow into that role." - Cooper coach Randy Borchers

Trevan Brown
School: Boone County

Position: TE

Height: 6-4

Weight: 270

Buzz: Became the first player in Northern Kentucky's senior class to select a college when he committed to Miami University in June. Likely an offensive lineman at the next level, but is a more than capable high school pass catcher.

Coach's quote: "We got the ball to him early last year and went away from it. We need him to be a good blocker first and foremost, a dominating blocker. But we're going to try to get the ball to him too. He's moving better than he did last year and he's got great hands and he's a big target." - Boone County coach Rick Thompson

Conner Hempel
School: Ryle

Position: QB

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Buzz: His big frame, mobility and strong arm have landed him several Division I offers. Threw for 1,894 yards and 18 touchdowns last season in a largely ball-control offense.

Coach's quote: "There's a significant difference in his speed. He's able to scramble and get to the edge. He's more finely tuned at quarterback, almost flawless at times. He's become more consistent." - Ryle coach Bryson Warner

Chris Kelly
School: Newport Central Catholic

Position: RB/LB

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Buzz: Tough two-way player who likes contact. One of only three juniors on the Enquirer all-star first team last year; he made the squad as a linebacker. He'll also be one of the area's top running backs this season.

Coach's quote: "He's one of the toughest kids we have. He's going to do all the dirty things. He'll play linebacker and he'll hit ya. And he'll play running back and he'll hit ya there too. He has speed and he has power too." - NewCath coach Eddie Eviston

Michael Kremer
School: Campbell County

Position: QB

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Buzz: Statistically, was the top passer in the state, throwing for 259 yards per game. After a full year at the helm of the Camels' pass-happy offense, should improve on last year's 56.0 completion percentage and 5-to-3 touchdown to interception ratio.

Coach's quote: "There's nothing in our playbook that we can't call because we're not sure if can make the throw or not. He has the arm strength. And he doesn't have any fear back there. He goes after it. He has a lot of confidence in his arm, which is good most of the time. It's a high-risk, high-reward offense." - Campbell County coach Troy Styer
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