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Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2028

Elder LB Pete Fortkamp (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

The speed of the varsity game wasn’t too much for these freshmen last fall. Here is a look at some of the area’s top performers from the Class of 2028.

Simon Barber, North Decatur, RB/DB – A solid varsity debut saw Barber run for 560 yards with six rushing touchdowns, 13 receptions, 137 yards receiving, 824 all-purpose yards and 27 tackles.

Tate Bartlett, Wyoming, OL – Helped pave the way for a Cowboys offense that averaged 334.3 yards of total offense and 33.5 points per game and finished the regular season undefeated for the eighth time in the last 10 years. The 6-foot-0, 290-pound Bartlett was named Honorable Mention All-CHL for his work.

Morgan Brown, Deer Park, RB/DB – An explosive athlete, who will be the focal point of the Wildcats offense. Brown was named OPSMA Second Team All-Southwest District (WR) as a  after amassing 1,053 all-purpose yards, running for 508 yards, averaging 11.0 yards per carry, catching 36 balls for 427 yards while finding the end zone 12 times (seven rush, four rec, one IR). On defense, he had 55 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for losses and two interceptions including a pick-six.

Deer Park ATH Morgan Brown (photo courtesy of Deer Park football)

Dearron Daniel, Meadowdale, LB – Led the DPS with 75 tackles and 5.5 sacks and also had 17.0 tackles for losses. Daniel was named OPSMA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District for his work.

Sa’Vion Davis, Withrow, QB – Started the last seven games for the Tigers guiding them to a 5-2 record. He threw for 530 yards, ran for 215 yards and accounted for eight touchdowns (five pass, three rush). Davis was named Second Team All-CMAC Red.

Ryan Drew, CCPA, LB – Played in seven games recording 64 tackles and two fumble recoveries for the 9-3 Lions who gave up less than 13 points per contest.

AJ Fitztephens, Lakota East, K – Connected on all 40 of his extra point attempts and 5/8 field goal tries (long of 27-yards) including the game winner in overtime against Hamilton in Week 3. He finished with 55 points, second most by a kicker in the GMC.

Lakota East K AJ Fitzstephens (photo from X: @ajfitzstephens)

Izaiah Flowers, Northmont, MLB – Tallied 47 tackles and had 0.5 sacks for the Thunderbolts.

Pete Fortkamp, Elder, LB – Was inserted into the starting lineup for the final six games of 2024 and became an immediate force registering 63 tackles, with 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery, in that span.

Finn Freshwater, Miamisburg, QB – A transfer from Alter, Freshwater started five games for the Knights. He finished the year with 288 yards passing and five touchdowns (three rush, two pass).

Reece Hammond, Miamisburg, K – A pleasant surprise, Hammond led the Vikings in scoring. He finished the season with 38 points, connecting on 14/17 extra points and 8/11 field goals (long of 42-yards).

Parker Harvey, Bethel-Tate, OL/DT – Will anchor the Tigers D-line for the next three years. Harvey was named Honorable Mention All-SBAAC National after tallying 36 tackles and 5.0 sacks in his varsity debut.

Thomas Huckleby, Cincinnati Country Day, WR/DB – The slender but elusive Huckleby starred on both sides of the ball for the Nighthawks. He had 67 receptions for 938 yards, 13 touchdown catches, one rushing score, 1,231 all-purpose yards, 98 tackles and five interceptions helping CCD to a 11-2 mark. Huckleby’s efforts earned him OPSMA Division VI Second Team All-Ohio (WR) honors.

Jeremiah Jones, Taylor, WR/DB – Had a solid year at cornerback and finished strong at receiver. Jones averaged 24.2 yards (363 yards receiving) on 15 receptions with three touchdown catches. On defense, he recorded 13 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions on his way to Honorable Mention All-CHL accolades. Jones will be an impact player for the Yellow Jackets. He showed a year end sampling of what is to come, averaging 33.0 yards on eight catches with a touchdown reception in three playoff games.

Taylor ER/DB Jeremiah Jones (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

Malachi Kennedy, Dayton, RB/LB –A bright spot for a Dayton team that struggled in 2024. Kennedy ran for 502 yards had two receptions for 89 yards, four touchdowns (three rush, one rec) and had 38 tackles.

Windon Lowe, Talawanda, LB – Will be the centerpiece of the Brave defense. Lowe was in on 51 tackles, had five games with at least five solo tackles, had 3.0 sacks and 7.5 tackles for losses to earn Honorable Mention All-SWOC acclaim.

Talawanda LB Windon Lowe (photo by Heather Sauerbeck)

Kenmarion McCray, CCPA, QB – During the regular season McCray strung together a pair of four-game winning streaks to start and end the campaign. In that span he threw for 1,174 yards, had 17 touchdown tosses with another 182 yards and a touchdown on the ground. That garnered McCray Second Team All-CMAC Blue honors.

Lorenzo McMullen, Taft, WR – Averaged 18.3 yards on 34 receptions with 10 touchdown catches for the Division IV, Regional champion Senators.

Kory Minor, Wayne, LB – Recorded 63 tackles of which 35 came in the Warriors last five games. He also had his only interception in that span.

Wayne LB Kory Minor (photo by: Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Charlie Parmer, North Decatur, OL/DL – The Parmer family has played a significant role in the Chargers recent success and young Charlie is the latest to make his mark for the namesake. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound lineman was dominant in the trenches earning All-MEC honors. He had 26 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for losses. With his size and upside Charlie may end up being the best of the Parmer clan, and that is saying something.

North Decatur OL/DL Charlie Parmer (photo courtesy of North Decatur Football)

Jayden Pointer, Boone County, DL – The future looks bright for 6-foot-2, 258-pound Pointer who had 21.5 tackles and 2.0 sacks.

Miller Reed, Ludlow, QB – Threw for 880 yards, ran for 245 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns (10 pass, two rush) for the 8-4 Panthers.

Lincoln Tomlinson, Lloyd Memorial, LB – Comes to play with a high motor every Friday night. Tomlinson recorded team highs with 107 tackles and 19.0 tackles for losses. He also had 5.0 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six for the 9-3 Juggernauts.

Key’Sean Torbert, Taft, ATH – Even though he backs up his All-Ohio brother Monsanna at quarterback, Torbert still took advantage of his playing time under center. He threw for 625 yards with 14 touchdown passes including eight against Thurgood Marshall (tied for third most in the state of Ohio in a single game). He also plays receiver and defensive back.

Taft ATH Key’Sean Torbert (photo by: Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

CJ Warner, Deer Park, RB/DL – A key piece on both sides of the ball. Warner improved each week last year and is looking to build on his success as a player with position flexibility. Warner racked up 61 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for losses and five pass breakups.  

Jameer “Juice” Whyce, Trotwood-Madison, DL – A beast and one of the most highly recruited Class of 2028 players up to this point. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Whyce registered 26 tackles, a sack, 7.5 tackles for losses and a forced fumble. He has offers from Illinois, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, North Carolina State, UMass, Ohio U., Purdue, Toledo and West Virginia.

Trotwood-Madison DL Jameer “Juice” Whyce (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

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