Only a few members of the class of 2029 gained varsity experience last high school football season, dressing and hitting the gridiron as freshmen in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
To preview the 2026 high school football season, take a look at some of the top returning players by class, starting with the sophomores.
Here are the top returning sophomores in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky football, sorted alphabetically by last name.
Bryce Armstrong, Highlands
A highly-anticipated quarterback for the Bluebirds, Bryce Armstrong played all over the field in some varsity action. He attempted 22 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns, ran for 65 yards and a score, caught six passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns and had an interception on defense.
Nick Balderas-Kincaid, Dayton
In 11 games, Nick Balderas-Kincaid flew on the field on defense for Dayton, having 53 total tackles, including 22 solo stops.
Corrius Booker, Fairfield
Corrius Booker was the only freshman in 2025 to get All-Greater Miami Conference honors, being named to the conference’s second team. Last year, Booker was Fairfield’s leading rusher, pacing the team with his 576 rushing yards, 115 carries and five rushing touchdowns. Against Sycamore, Booker ran for 174 yards on 17 attempts and a touchdown.
Will Cameron, Miami Valley Christian Academy
With Will Cameron as its freshman signal caller last season, Miami Valley Christian Academy finished second in the White Division of the Miami Valley Conference. Cameron was 60-of-116 passing for 979 yards and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. In a 61-8 win over Fayetteville, Cameron threw for 287 yards and six touchdowns while running for another. In a 13-6 win over Clermont Northeastern, he had an interception return for a touchdown.
Jeremiah Glenn, Anderson
Owen Scalf will again lead the Anderson Raptors’ high-scoring offense in 2027, but Jeremiah Glenn figures to get a few more reps in his sophomore season. As a freshman last year, Glenn had time in seven games, completing nine of his 14 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns while running 18 times for 279 yards and three more scores.
Jamii Jackson, Gamble Montessori
Playing for the Gators as a freshman, Jamii Jackson was a second-team All-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference honoree after being tied for seventh in the league with seven sacks. Jackson amassed a total of 73 tackles (50 solo) and forced a pair of fumbles, recovering one.
Karter Johnson, New Miami
Karter Johnson got second-team All-Miami Valley Conference honors last season as New Miami’s starting quarterback. Johnson had 450 yards as a passer, but ran for 903 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Kierre Jones, Mount Healthy
As the starting quarterback for the Owls, Kierre Jones started his high school career strong with a second-team all-conference selection while throwing for just under 1,000 yards with seven touchdowns and 440 rushing yards.
Nathan Kellenberger, Cincinnati Country Day
A state-placing relay runner for the Nighthawks, Nathan Kellenberger was also a second-teamer in the Miami Valley Conference. While having a touchdown reception on offense, Kellenberger did his damage on the defensive side of the ball. In 11 games, the defensive back had 40 total tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Liam Kolks, Boone County
Suiting up on defense in 10 games for the Rebels last season, Liam Kolks had 50 total tackles and an interception.
K.J. Manning, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Listed as a 6-foot-2, 275-pound lineman, K.J. Manning got an honorable mention in the Miami Valley Conference last season. In 11 games, Manning had 30 tackles and forced a fumble while recovering four, including two in a game against Purcell Marian.
Jack Mercer, Beechwood
Colson Lair took most of the extra points and field goals for the Beechwood Tigers last season, but Jack Mercer was right behind him in production. Mercer nailed 34 of his 36 extra-point attempts and was 2-for-2 on field goals.
David Poignard Jr., Summit Country Day
Summit Country Day had several freshmen standouts in 2025, including David Poignard Jr. Poignard led the Silver Knights on the ground, rushing 105 times for 416 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he also had an interception return for a touchdown against Roger Bacon.
Bobby Rice, Middletown Madison
Bobby Rice was a second-team all-district selection as a lineman last season and a first-team selection in the Southwestern Buckeye League, making him the only freshman in the league to get first- or second-team honors.
Brandon Smith, Covington Catholic
In 12 games played, Brandon Smith stood out on defense with his 51 tackles (35 solo) and two interceptions.
My’Ron Stephen, Holmes
While Holmes played as an unclassified team last season to rebuild its program, My’Ron Stephen helped set a tone in 2025 and should build on that as the unclassified status continues in 2026. Stephen played on both sides of the ball, finishing second on the team with 193 rushing yards and first with 196 receiving yards. On defense, he had 22 tackles and two interceptions.
Griffin Sturgeon, Lawrenceburg
Griffin Sturgeon was a freshman quarterback for South Dearborn last season before playing basketball and running track at Lawrenceburg in the winter and spring. In football, Sturgeon had 823 passing yards in eight games with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Jordin Williams, Clark Montessori
Jordin Williams, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound tackle, was second-team All-Miami Valley Conference after amassing 53 tackles (31 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a fumble recovery.
Korde Williams, Summit Country Day
Korde Williams was an All-Ohio defensive back for the Silver Knights as a freshman, garnering a third-team placement in Division VI as he had 76 tackles (66 solo) and seven interceptions. On offense, he had 378 yards and three touchdowns on 26 catches.
C.J. Woodside, Wyoming
The Wyoming roster listed C.J. Woodside as a linebacker and running back, but the All-Cincinnati Hills League honoree got his career started as a kicker. Woodside only attempted three field goals, making two with a long of 34 yards. On extra points, Woodside was 62-of-63. He went 7-for-7 four times, 6-for-6 thrice and 5-for-5 once on the point after.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati’s top returning sophomores in 2026 high school football
Reporting by Alex Harrison, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alex Harrison, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
