Nobody questions the fact that Kentucky high school football has improved dramatically over the last couple decades, to the point where some people contend this is a “football” state rather than a “basketball” state. But you couldn’t tell it by last week’s NFL draft. Out of 255 players taken in seven rounds of the draft, only one was a Kentucky high school product — Male grad Michael Bush (left), a former Mr. Football, who played at the University of Louisville.
(Then again, don’t hold your breath waiting for any Kentucky high school products to be taken in this year’s NBA draft.)
According to numbers compiled by USA Football, having only one high school product put Kentucky last on the list along with Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada and New Mexico. It’s no surprise what three states had the most high school alums taken in the draft: California was tops with 36, followed by Florida with 27, Texas with 26 and Ohio with 18. Tennessee high schools had 4 alums taken, and Indiana had 3.
Kentucky should fare better next year, with potential stars such as U of L quarterback Brian Brohm and receiver Mario Urrutia (Fern Creek) and UK quarterback Andre Woodson (North Hardin) and receiver Keenan Burton (Manual)
Three high schools had three alums drafted this year:
- Dublin Coffman in Ohio — Brady Quinn (1st round), Jay Richardson (5th round), Nedu Ndukwe (7th round).
- Evangel Academy in Louisiana – Jonathan Wade (3rd round), Chase Pittman (7th round), Keyunta Dawson (7th round).
- Miami Norland High in Florida — Dwayne Bowe (1st round), Kareem Brown (4th round), Antwan Barnes (4th round).
