[STATE CHAMP]

Look at all the football talent in KY.


2011 State Rankings: Kentucky
Lamar Dawson
Lamar Dawson

By Allen Trieu
Midwest Regional Manager Scout.com
Posted Jun 15, 2010


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Kentucky is a strong state for talent this year, with several 4-star prospects, and numerous others who could make a college impact. Here is a look at the top 25, and the recruiting battles going on.

Kentucky at a Glance
Kentucky currently has 17 players with Division 1/FBS offers within its borders, and I think that number will continue to grow.

The state is particularly strong this year, especially at the top, where the top four prospects are all part of the Scout 300.

Leading the way is Lamar Dawson, who I feel is one of the nation's truly elite middle linebackers. His film, performance at the NIKE Camp and offer list all back that up. I see him continuing to climb the national rankings.

While Dawson is undecided, many of the state's best are committed to either Louisville or Kentucky. The early recruiting battles between the two rival schools have been interesting, and the committed kids continue to be courted as well.

The Wildcats pulled in two big gets in athletic offensive tackle Darrian Miller, and multi-talented tight end Jon Davis. They also received a verbal from sure-handed Josh Forrest.

Louisville picked up a trifecta from Fern Creek: DT Jamon Brown, WR Jerrell Moore, and safety Jalen Harrington. They also reeled in quarterback DaMarcus Smith, wide receiver DeVante Parker, and John Wallace, one of the Midwest's top kickers.

If anything has been established so far this year, it's that the state is getting stronger for talent, and both UK and UL will be waging battles to keep that talent at home.

Towards the bottom of the list are some sleepers still looking for their first offers. I would also throw in guys like Treran Brown, Nate Letton, Christian Wallace, and Jordan Bender, as kids who can move up during camp season and after the first few games of the year.

Early 2012 Look
The top prospect right now is Dixie Heights' 6'5 quarterback Zeke Pike, who holds several verbal offers already. A second bright young quarterback, Highlands' Patrick Towles is another to watch along with Rowan County's Adam Wing.

A couple of big defensive tackles, Somerset Southwestern's Rob Lewis, and Louisville Seneca's Tyrone Pearson offer some beef up front along with 6'6, 305-lb offensive lineman Joe Manley.

Mason County running back Josh Harris, a 6'2, 185-lb athlete, could find himself at several positions around the field.