Vote: Who is the top returning Kentucky high school quarterback in 2024?

Take a closer look at the top returning quarterbacks in Kentucky high school football

Cooper Jaguars linebacker Lucas Hughes attempts to put a stop to Bowling Green Purples quarterback Deuce Bailey (2) during the KHSAA Class 5A 2023 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine state finals football game between Cooper Jaguars and Bowling Green Purples on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. / Carter Skaggs/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

The quality of quarterback play in Kentucky was on full display in the 2023 season in every classification. That’s because the state is filled with signal callers who can change games with either their arms, legs or both.

There’s no shortage of talented quarterbacks in Kentucky, which makes it hard to pick just one as the best in the area. 

So here at SBLive Sports Kentucky, we’re asking you, the fans, to decide. 

Vote now on who is the top returning quarterback in Kentucky for 2024. Voting closes July 31st, 2024.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other players who may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are the nominations: 

Brady Atwell, Owensboro Catholic: Atwell put up some of the best numbers of any quarterback in the country from the 2023 campaign. The signal caller completed 301-of-434 passes for 4,743 yards and 68 touchdowns. Impressive numbers and he’s got another season under center. 

Luke Pennington, Sayre: Son of former NFL’er, Chad Pennington, the Spartans’ quarterback was impressive last season and extremely accurate. Pennington finished completing 155-of-225 passes for 2,334 yards, 47 touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

Blaze Berry, Eminence: Just behind Atwell when it came to passing yardage among juniors, Berry had himself a solid 2023 campaign. The quarterback finished completing 203-of-315 passes for 3,567 yards and 40 touchdowns. 

Clay Hayden, Beechwood: Accuracy was off the charts for Hayden in 2023, completing 75 percent of his passes. The Beechwood quarterback completed 185-of-245 passes for 3,490 yards and 46 touchdowns to just five interceptions. 

Bryce Burton, South Warren: The quarterback was extremely effective his junior season and is primed for a major fall campaign. Burton finished 2023 completing 168-of-260 passes for 3,008 yards and 35 touchdowns to just five picks. 

Deuce Bailey, Bowling Green: Bailey was another junior from the 2023 season that really lit up the airwaves. The Purples’ quarterback threw for 2,507 yards, 34 touchdowns and only five interceptions. 

Cam O’Hara, Cooper: No sophomore had the kind of season O’Hara had throwing the rock. The Jaguars’ quarterback completed 240-of-367 passes for 3,361 yards and 47 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. 

Rio Litmer, Highlands: Though Litmer hasn’t thrown for as many yards as some of the quarterbacks on this list, he’s slated to have a strong 2024 season. The quarterback completed 77-of-108 passes for 1,112 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Miles Reding, Todd County Central: Reding was one of the top freshman passers this season, completing 93-of-216 passes for 1,176 yards and 16 touchdowns. The signal caller also rushed for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns.   

Gunner Holbrook, Letcher County Central: The Cougars’ quarterback was solid under center, as Holbrook has completed 35-of-63 passes for 512 yards and six touchdowns. 

Dre’Mail Carothers, Owensboro Christian: Carothers saw plenty of playing time on offense as a freshman. At quarterback, Carothers threw for 529 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions.