Check out the top players who could be Kentucky’s 2023 Mr. Football

Jared Peck
·11 min read

The highest individual honor in Kentucky high school football is the annual Mr. Football award given to an outstanding senior since its creation by sports editors affiliated with the Associated Press in 1986.

Since 2019, the Kentucky Football Coaches Association has had its own Mr. Football award and, as of last year, it’s the only one still in existence.

Who will win this year’s award? There are a number of outstanding candidates.

Below is a list compiled by the Herald-Leader. Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name. All statistics are through Week 1 of the playoffs as updated by each school.

While KFCA member coaches will have the final say, the Herald-Leader has set up a fan poll online so you can vote for your favorite and let your voice be heard.

Highlands quarterback Brody Benke (8) has passed for 24 touchdowns and run for 17 this season.
Highlands quarterback Brody Benke (8) has passed for 24 touchdowns and run for 17 this season.

Brody Benke

Highlands (10-1), 6-4/240/QB/TE/WR

2023 stats: 1,578 yards, 24 TDs passing; 885 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 208 yards, 6 TDs receiving.

Career: 4,045 yards, 40 TDs passing; 1,139 yards, 25 TDs rushing; 274 yards, 9 TDs receiving.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 5A District 6 player of the year.

Boyle County’s Avery Bodner had helped lead the Rebels to an undefeated season entering Friday night.
Boyle County’s Avery Bodner had helped lead the Rebels to an undefeated season entering Friday night.

Avery Bodner

Boyle County (11-0), 6-0/175/ATH

2023 stats: 968 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 306 yards, 4 TDs receiving; 4 yards, 0 TDs passing; 60 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, 1 for a TD.

Career: 319 yards, 4 TDs passing; 3,391 yards, 47 TDs rushing; 738 yards, 7 TDs receiving; 166 tackles, 6 sacks, 6, interceptions, 4 fumbles forced, 4 recoveries, 1 for a TD.

Notes: 2022 Courier Journal all-state honorable mention; part of three state championships.

Lexington Christian quarterback Cutter Boley, who has signed to play at the University of Kentucky next season, had passed for almost 8,000 career yards entering Friday.
Lexington Christian quarterback Cutter Boley, who has signed to play at the University of Kentucky next season, had passed for almost 8,000 career yards entering Friday.

Cutter Boley

Lexington Christian (10-1), 6-5/203/QB

2023 stats: 1,916 yards, 20 TDs passing; 123 yards, 5 TDs rushing; 13 yards receiving.

Career: 7,970 yards, 78 TDs passing; 404 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 13 yards receiving.

Notes: Four-star Kentucky commit, 2022 Courier Journal second team all-state.

Shaun Boykins

North Hardin (1-10) 6-1/185/ATH

2023 stats: 1,141 yards, 14 TDs receiving; 33 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 2 tackles, 1, interception.

Career: 2,425 yards, 29 TDs receiving; 359 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 2 yards passing; 2 tackles, 2 interceptions.

Notes: Three-star Louisville commit, 2022 Courier Journal third team all-state.

Jace Bullock

North Oldham (7-4), 6-1/188/QB

2023 stats: 2,445 yards, 27 TDs passing; 102 yards, 2 TDs rushing.

Career: 4,501 yards, 44 TDs passing; 106 yards, 8 TDs rushing; 3 yards receiving.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 4A, District 4 player of the year.

Zane Cartwright

Mayfield (9-1) 5-11/180/QB

2023 stats: 1,795 yards, 27 TDs passing; 120 yards, 2 TDs rushing.

Career: 7,373 yards, 88 TDs passing; 104 yards, 2 TDs rushing.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 2A, District 1 player of the year; fifth-year senior.

Elijah Creech

Manual (9-2), 6-3/215/QB

2023 stats: 2,324 yards, 22 TDs passing; 74 yards, 4 TDs rushing,

Career: 3,006 yards, 28 TDs passing; 77 yards, 4 TDs rushing,

Kaydon Custard

Harrison County (6-5), 6-0/180/QB/DB

2023 stats: 2,453 yards, 25 TDs passing; 1,222 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 11 yards receiving; 70 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 for a TD, punt return TD.

Career: 6,677 yards, 59 TDs passing; 2,738 yards, 46 TDs rushing; 11 yards receiving, 164 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 for a TD, 2 punt return TDs, 1 fumble return TD.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 4A District 5 player of the year.

Bryan Station’s Trenton Cutwright (2) has passed for 18 touchdowns and run for six this season.
Bryan Station’s Trenton Cutwright (2) has passed for 18 touchdowns and run for six this season.

Trenton Cutwright

Bryan Station (8-3), 6-1/155/QB

2023 stats: 1,576 yards, 18 TDs passing; 584 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 1 tackle.

Career: 5,768 yards, 57 TDs passing; 1,568 yards, 19 TDs rushing; 5 tackles.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 6A, District 8 player of the year.

Sage Dawson

Boyle County (11-0), 6-0/160/QB

2023 stats: 2,094 yards, 26 TDs passing; 236 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 13 tackles, 1 fumble forced, 1 fumble recovery for a TD.

Career: 5,843 yards, 67 TDs passing; 1,126 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 206 yards, 2 TDs receiving; 81 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery for a TD.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 4A, District 7 player of the year; fifth-year senior, part of three state championship teams; 2022 Courier Journal all-state honorable mention; Air Force commit.

Max Gainey

Male (10-1), 5-9/150/WR

2023 stats: 859 yards, 18 TDs receiving; 73 yards, 2 TDs rushing; 2 punt return TDs, KO return TD.

Career: 2,113 yards, 33 TDs receiving; 11 yards, 1 TD passing; 101 yards, 2 TDs rushing; 3 punt return TDs, KO return TD.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 6A, District 4 player of the year, 2022 Courier Journal third team all-state; three-star recruit.

Cayden Grigsby

Middlesboro (8-2), 6-0/182/QB/DB

2023 stats: 1,651 yards, 24 TDs passing; 671 yards, 7 TDs rushing; 24 yards receiving; 36 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, 1 for a TD, 2 KO return TDs, 1 punt return TD.

Career: 5,021 yards, 63 TDs passing; 2,789 yards, 37 TDs rushing; 24 yards receiving; 73 tackles, 1 sack, 11 interceptions, 2 for TDs, 2 KO return TDs.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class A, District 8 player of the year.

Lexington Christian Academy’s Brady Hensley (42) has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored more than 40 touchdowns this season.
Lexington Christian Academy’s Brady Hensley (42) has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored more than 40 touchdowns this season.

Brady Hensley

Lexington Christian (10-1), 6-0/202/RB/SS

2023 stats: 2,032 yards, 39 TDs rushing; 197 yards, 4 TDs receiving; 33 yards passing, 1 tackle, 1 sack.

Career: 5,306 yards, 86 TDs rushing; 438 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 33 yards passing, 47 tackles, 1 sack.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 2A, District 4 player of the year; 2022 Courier Journal first team all-state.

Christian Academy quarterback Cole Hodge (2) has committed to play college football at East Carolina.
Christian Academy quarterback Cole Hodge (2) has committed to play college football at East Carolina.

Cole Hodge

Christian Academy-Louisville (10-1), 6-2/193/QB

2023 stats: 3,031 yards, 42 TDs passing; 408 yards, 3 TDs rushing.

Career: 8,113 yards, 120 TDs passing; 1,725 yards, 20 TDs rushing.

Notes: Three-star East Carolina commit; 2023 KFCA Class 3A, District 3 player of the year; 2022 Courier Journal honorable mention all-state.

Kam Hughes

Somerset (8-3), 5-8/175/WR/DB

2023 stats: 1,536 yards, 26 TDs rushing; 253 yards, 1 TD receiving; 77 tackles, 5, interceptions.

Career: 2,082 yards, 31 TDs rushing; 717 yards, 5 TDs receiving; 170 tackles, 4 sacks, 7, interceptions.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 2A, District 6 player of the year.

Thaddeus Mays

Mercer County (10-1), 5-10/160/QB/DB

2023 stats: 1,373 yards, 12 TDs passing; 850 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 18 tackles, 4 interceptions, KO return TD.

Career: 2,717 yards, 27 TDs passing; 1,696 yards, 26 TDs rushing; 614 yards, 7 TDs receiving; 89 tackles, 11 interceptions, 2 KO return TDs.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 3A, District 4 player of the year.

Peyton Molter

DeSales (9-2), 6-2/180/QB

2023 stats: 2,417 yards, 27 TDs passing.

Career: 3,526 yards, 37 TDs passing; -48 yards, 2 TDs rushing.

Notes: 2023 KFCA, Class 4A, District 3 player of the year.

Russ Osborne

Shelby Valley (8-3), 6-0/183/QB/DB

2023 stats: 2,690 yards, 28 TDs passing; 464 yards, 7 TDs rushing; 85 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 for a TD.

Career: 9,823 yards, 96 TDs passing; 2,478 yards, 40 TDs rushing; 243 tackles, 10 interceptions, 2 for TDs.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 2A, District 8 player of the year.

Steve Partin

Knox Central (5-6), 6-2/210/RB/LB

2023 stats: 1,925 yards, 25 TDs rushing; 100 yards, 2 TDs passing; 33 yards receiving; 64 tackles, 5 sacks.

Career: 4,238 yards, 61 TDs rushing; 1,637 yards, 20 TDs passing; 441 yards, 5 TDs receiving, 342 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 interception.

Notes: Yale commit.

Evan Pitzer

Covington Catholic (11-0), 6-5/200/QB

2023 stats: 2,141 yards, 26 TDs passing; 456 yards, 9 TDs rushing.

Career: 3,475 yards, 38 TDs passing; 821 yards, 13 TDs rushing.

Jerod Smith (99) and his twin brother Jacob have both committed to the University of Kentucky.
Jerod Smith (99) and his twin brother Jacob have both committed to the University of Kentucky.

Jerod Smith

Corbin, (11-0), 6-3/265/DL

2023 stats: 77 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery.

Career (Corbin/Somerset only): 369 yards, 5 TDs rushing; 39 yards receiving; 198 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 1 interception, 5 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries.

Notes: Four-star Kentucky commit.

Daniel Thomas

Bell County (10-1), 5-9/180/RB/LB

2023 stats: 2,910 yards, 44 TDs rushing; 32 yards, 1 TDs passing; 71 yards receiving; 62 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 for a TD.

Career: 6,236 yards, 85 TDs rushing; 801 yards, 8 TDs receiving; 163 yards, 4 TDs passing; 282 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles forced, 4 recoveries, 1 for a TD.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 3A, District 7 player of the year; 2022 Courier Journal all-state honorable mention.

Logan Verax

Ryle (7-4), 6-3/190/QB

2023 stats: 2,808 yards, 24 TDs passing; 285 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 6 tackles.

Career: 7,508 yards, 62 TDs passing; 1,248 yards, 22 TDs rushing; 10 tackles, 1 fumble forced.

Tucker Warren

Rockcastle County (10-1), 6-1/183/QB/DB

2023 stats: 1,894 yards, 27 TDs passing; 997 yards, 14 TDs rushing; 49 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 for a TD, 2 fumble recoveries.

Career: 6,345 yards, 67 TDs passing; 3,022 yards, 42 TDs rushing; 67 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 for a TD, 2 fumble recoveries.

Notes: At North Laurel until this season.

Jackson Wasik has passed for more than 5,000 yards during his career at Lexington Catholic.
Jackson Wasik has passed for more than 5,000 yards during his career at Lexington Catholic.

Jackson Wasik

Lexington Catholic (7-4), 5-11/150/QB

2023 stats: 2,126 yards, 23 TDs passing; 248 yards, 6 TDs rushing.

Career: 5,080 yards, 64 TDs passing; 418 yards, 8 TDs rushing.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 3A, District 5 player of the year.

Demetrick Welch

Newport Central Catholic (7-4), 6-0, 180/QB/LB

2023 stats: 989 yards, 19 TDs rushing; 200 yards, 2 TDs receiving; 37 tackles, 1, interception, KO return TD, forced fumble, fumble recovery TD.

Career: 3,131 yards, 48 TDs rushing; 589 yards, 6 TDs receiving; 121 tackles, 2 sacks, 3, interceptions, KO return TD, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 for a TD.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class A, District 3 player of the year.

Tyleeq Williams

Bardstown (7-4), 5-5/155/RB/DB

2023 stats: 1,568 yards, 18 TDs rushing; 394 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 16 yards, 1 TDs passing; 30 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, 1 for a TD, 2 punt return TDs.

Career: 4,788 yards, 60 TDs rushing; 1,381 yards, 16 TDs receiving; 27 yards, 1 TDs passing; 209 tackles, 4 sacks, 8, interceptions, 2 KO return TDs, 4 punt return TDs, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 for TDs.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 4A, District 2 player of the year.

Andrew Witherington (2) helped lead Tates Creek to an 8-3 record entering the second week of the postseason.
Andrew Witherington (2) helped lead Tates Creek to an 8-3 record entering the second week of the postseason.

Andrew Witherington

Tates Creek (8-3), 5-11/165/QB

2023 stats: 2,111 yards, 20 TDs passing; 395 yards, 11 TDs rushing.

Career: 5,460 yards, 49 TDs passing; 678 yards, 14 TDs rushing.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 6A, District 7 player of the year.

Caden Woolum

Belfry (8-3), 6-3/185/RB/DB

2023 stats: 1,083 yards, 12 TDs rushing; 487 yards, 7 TDs receiving; 15 yards, 1 TD passing; 85 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 for a TD, punt return TD, 2 forced fumbles.

Career: 2,183 yards, 33 TDs rushing; 754 yards, 11 TDs receiving; 274 yards, 6 TDs passing; 195 tackles, 7 interceptions, 1 for a TD, 2 punt return TDs, 2 forced fumbles.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 3A, District 8 player of the year.

Journey Wyche

Ballard (8-3) 5-11/188/ATH

2023 stats: 1,006 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 240 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 12 yards, 1 TD passing, 8 tackles, KO return TD.

Career: 1,945 yards, 27 TDs rushing; 404 yards, 4 TDs receiving; 12 yards, 1 TD passing; 55 tackles, 1 interception for a TD, KO return TD, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery.

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 6A, District 5 player of the year.

Davin Yates

Logan County (8-3), 5-9/160/QB/DB

2023 stats: 253 yards, 2 TDs passing; 737 yards, 11 TDs rushing; 725 yards, 9 TDs receiving; 41 tackles, 2 sacks, 1, interception, 2 forced fumbles

Career: 3,837 yards, 42 TDs passing; 1,813 yards, 30 TDs rushing; 725 yards, 9 TDs receiving; 171 tackles, 3 sacks, 9 interceptions, 3 for TDs, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery

Notes: 2023 KFCA Class 4A, District 1 player of the year.

Others of note

Konner Forbis, Campbellsville (864 yards, 13 TDs rushing; 77 tackles, 5 sacks); Treyshawn Holmes-Evans, North Laurel (321 yards, 5 TDs rushing; 108 tackles); Jack Lonaker, Cooper (111 tackles, 4 sacks); Kelson McKinney, Green County (905 yards, 11 TDs rushing; 460 yards 8 TDs receiving; 55 tackles); Madden Miller, Martin County (603 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 135 tackles); Ethan Pack, Russell (1,172 yards, 15 TDs passing; 836 yards, 10 TDs rushing; 70 tackles, 3 interceptions); Brach Rice, Dixie Heights (266 yards, 5 TDs rushing; 110 yards, 1 TDs receiving; 160 tackles 13 sacks); Aba Selm, Simon Kenton (59 tackles, 6 sacks, three-star Kentucky commit); Jaxson Shoulders, Hart County (308 yards, 3 TDs receiving; 129 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception); Jacob Smith, (87 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, four-star Kentucky commit). Jutoriaus Starks, Mayfield (923 yards, 19 TDs rushing); Noah Wallace, Raceland (739 yards, 13 TDs rushing; 60 tackles, 1 sack, 2, interceptions).

Vote: Who should be 2023’s Kentucky high school Mr. Football?

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