Best of the Bluegrass: October 23, 2015

Bowling Green's Jamale Carothers

Joquise Buford - Sr. - RB - Lexington (KY.)  Henry Clay High - Senior running back Joquise Buford had a big game, rushing 29 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the Blue Devils' victory.

Johan Williams - Sr. - RB - Madison County (KY.) Central - Williams had 12 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his team's win Friday night.

Des'jahvanni Miles - Sr. - QB - Murray High - Miles carried the ball only 9 times, but picked up 177 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Steven "Shorty" Cager - So. - ATH - Hopkinsville High - Shorty Cager had an enormous game, rushing five times for 112 yards a two touchdowns.  He also caught three balls for 22 yards and another score.  He accounted for 260 all-purpose yards in the game.

Quinton Baker - Sr. - RB - Ashland (KY.) Blazer - Quinton Baker scored his team's loan touchdown on an 80-yard run Friday night.  He rushed 25 times for 176 yards.

Jamale Carothers - Jr. - RB - Bowling Green - Carothers scored three touchdowns for the Purples in their district clinching victory.  He had 147 yards rushing in the contest.

Tavin Graves - Sr. - RB - North Hardin - Tavin Graves rushed 25 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.  He also caught nine passes for 58 yards in the game.

Around the State: News and Notes 10/23/15

While much talk yearly centers on the Trinity vs. Saint Xavier rivalry, DuPont Manual and Male are no slouches when it comes to being archrivals.  Tonight, as both teams sit in the top ten in the state, they had 13,001 attend their game. That's the largest crowd in the state this season.

Announced crowd of 13,001 makes this the largest attended high school football game in the State this season. JCPS PROUD...

— MALE HS Athletics (@MaleBulldogs) October 24, 2015

The home standing Crimsons sit at 7-1, while Male is 8-0.

---

In case you haven't heard, Marshall commit Quinton Baker is planning an official visit to Mississippi State in December. According to Scout.com's Steve Robertson Baker hasn't received an offer from Dan Mullen's squad yet. That could change if an official visit is in the works.

---

Woodford County (KY.) four-star center Drake Jackson was presented with his US Army All-American Bowl Jersey today at his high school. Jackson, a UK commit, has long been the top rated player in the state. The senior has been a standout at every combine and camp he's attended, adding offers from dozens of high profile programs.

Drake Jackson is officially an Army All-American. pic.twitter.com/WdgqrUWP47

— Steve Moss (@smosswkyt) October 23, 2015

Introducing: Woodford Lankford

Woodford Lankford

Several colleges have been maintaining contact with Lexington (KY.) Catholic lineman Woodford Lankford.  The junior talked about his recruitment and about his game.

Woodford Lankford, 6-foot-4, 270-pounds, has been in touch with several schools and camped with others this summer before his junior year started out.

“The schools that have been looking at me the most have been Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Miami (OH.), Cincinnati and Toledo,” Lankford said.  “Vanderbilt, Marshall, Troy and Indiana have also looked at me.”

Lankford has also been to a couple of schools and may be visiting another one this weekend.

“So far I’ve been able to visit games this year at Miami, Western Kentucky, and Kentucky. I’m planning to try to see Cincinnati on October 25th and hopefully see Toledo,” he continued.

Lankford feels that offers may not be far off from a few of those schools.

“Right now I feel like I’m on the verge of being offered by Miami and Western Kentucky.  Both schools have been giving a great amount of attention, especially when I visited for games.  Kentucky is also a likely offer I think. They seem to just be waiting to see how I grow and continue to improve,” Lankford continued.

So what kind of player is Lankford and what is drawing all of these schools to see him?

 “I would consider my biggest strengths to be my technique and footwork,” Lankford. “I’ve spent many hours working extra on ladder drills building up my foot speed and placement.

“Each camp I went to coaches commented on my technique work from drills and one-on-ones. They were saying my kick-step and my posture looked great,” he finished.

Wood discusses his UK commitment

Walker Wood (#9) eludes Henry Clay defenders

Walker Wood decided to join Kentucky’s 2017 recruiting class late last week.  In doing so, he joined fellow quarterback Mac Jones in the class. The 2017 duo will be competing with current redshirt freshman Drew Barker and 2016 incoming freshman Gunnar Hoak.

But Wood isn’t worried about the competition.  He knows that playing quarterback is a big responsibility and programs want the right person in place to lead their offense.

“Anywhere you go there is going to be competition,” said Wood.  “I love it. And I’m excited to compete.”

Wood jumped on board Kentucky’s class last week because he just felt good about the direction on the program and what his hometown school had to offer.

“I love Coach Stoops and his staff.  I think Kentucky is on a very bright road.  I want to be a part of it,” he finished.

Right now Wood is a part of a very talented and potent Lexington (KY.) Lafayette offense.  Lafayette averages almost 41 points per game.  Through eight games Wood has accounted for 22 total touchdowns and over 2000 yards of total offense from the quarterback spot.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on Walker Wood.

Introducing: South Warren Jr. C.J. Hayes

C.J. Hayes at Indiana, October 17, 2015

For those followers of high school football in Kentucky, C.J. Hayes likely doesn’t need an introduction. The Bowling Green (KY.) South Warren prospect looks like one of the standout 2017 prospects in the state.

Hayes has ideal size for a wide receiver at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds.  But he’s not just a wide receiver.  Hayes plays both cornerback and safety - where he may land when his time at South Warren is over.

One school that has caught his attention is his hometown Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

“(Western Kentucky) has been showing a lot of interest. They talked to my dad the other day,” Hayes said.  “(WKU) passes it around a lot and it really fits me perfectly.”

Hayes doesn’t believe the interest from the Toppers to be token in nature. He feels like something serious may be brewing between him and Jeff Brohm’s team.

“When they talked to my dad, they said they were going to offer me soon,” he continued.

Other schools that have been in contact with Hayes include Ole Miss, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, Duke, Florida State, Tennessee, Virginia and Notre Dame.  But what other schools may be close to offering?

“I feel like Kentucky, Louisville and Arkansas (when I visit) are close to offering,” he continued

That visit to Arkansas is scheduled for next Saturday.  Hayes has already been to Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Indiana on unofficials thus far.

Aside from his great size, Hayes has other assets that are desirable for coaches on the next level.

“My route running, speed and ability to catch in traffic are my strengths. Also my blocking,” he finished.

We will keep you posted on C.J. Hayes.