After revealing our picks for the top 25 high school football seniors and juniors in central Ohio, it’s time to spotlight the sophomores.
Players were selected based on 2023 statistics, postseason honors and input from Columbus-area coaches.
Don’t see a player you are looking for? Give it time. They might make an appearance in our positional breakdowns in August, when we list the top 10 players at each position in central Ohio.
Here is The Dispatch’s list of the area’s best sophomores, in alphabetical order:
Best central Ohio high school football sophomores in 2024
Baker Bowden, Groveport
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound quarterback was second-team all-OCC-Buckeye last season, when he started every game. Bowden completed 57 of 95 passes for 780 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. “Baker will force us to open up the offense this year because of his ability to throw the ball and extend plays with his legs,” coach Mitch Westcamp said.
Shamarion Coleman, Hartley
The 6-1, 235-pound Coleman is expected to start at linebacker. He’s a member of a talented sophomore class looking to help Hartley improve on a 10-3 finish in 2023. “This sophomore class is really strong,” coach Brad Burchfield said. “It’s a great balance of traditional skill and old-school toughness.”
Giovanni Cotton, Grove City Christian
The 5-7, 200-pound Cotton should be a solid contributor for the Eagles at running back and defensive end. “He is a punishing running back and a very physical defender,” coach Ben Schall said.
Trey Davis, St. Charles
The 6-0, 170-pound Davis started four games at wide receiver last season and is expected to be a key contributor this fall. “Trey has the foundation to build himself into an elite wide receiver,” first-year coach Anthony Colucci said. “Having earned playing time and a handful of starts as a freshman, he clearly rose amongst the ranks quickly. From what I have seen from him in the few months that I have been here, he has picked up the offense well, he’s quick in and out of breaks and he’s not afraid to go up and get a ball.”
R.J. Day, DeSales
The son of Ohio State coach Ryan Day, R.J. accumulated 1,600 yards passing and 15 touchdowns and added 300 yards rushing and two TDs as a freshman. The quarterback already has three Division I offers. Day was special mention all-district in Division II. DeSales shared the CCL title, upsetting eventual Division III state runner-up Watterson 27-24 in Week 10, and finished 5-6.
Ian Gordon, Westerville South
The 5-9, 185-pound Gordon saw time as a freshman behind all-state running back Nasir Phillips, a 2024 graduate. Gordon rushed for 349 yards and four touchdowns on 45 carries. He should be a big contributor for new coach Eric Calland.
2023 Dispatch All-Metro: Who are the best high school football players in central Ohio?
Matthew Green, Big Walnut
The 6-2, 280-pound offensive lineman helped the freshman team go undefeated last season, averaging 34 points per game. Green allowed just one sack and was called for only three penalties. He was invited to participate in the Top Gun Showcase in Naples, Florida, where he made the all-camp team. He is projected to be the starting right guard this season.
Joe Hayes, Watterson
The 6-0, 175-pound cornerback and wide receiver started eight games last season for state-finalist Watterson, which went 14-2. He recorded 30 tackles and one interception.
Grey Kegley, Thomas Worthington
The 6-2, 195-pound quarterback already has offers from Toledo, Marshall, Kent State and South Florida. Kegley completed 145 of 220 passes for 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, when the Cardinals started 5-1 but finished with five consecutive losses. Thomas averaged 29.4 points in its wins and was outscored 263-24 in its losses.
Jeremy Levitt, Canal Winchester
The 6-0, 240-pound Levitt is expected to be part of a youth movement on the offensive line for the Indians as he is contending for a starting guard position. Canal Winchester went 11-2 last season, losing in a Division II, Region 7 semifinal.
Gift of life: Olentangy football coach donates kidney to colleague
Gabriel Merrill, Canal Winchester
The 6-6, 265-pound Merrill should join Levitt on the offensive line as he is competing for the starting right tackle spot. “We didn’t play any freshmen last year on varsity, but Jeremy and Gabriel are going to be great players for us,” coach Jake Kuhner said.
Declan O’Neil, Hilliard Bradley
The future appears to be bright for this quarterback, who was thrust into the starting job in a Division I state semifinal loss to Lakewood St. Edward after Bradyn Fleharty sustained a left ankle injury. The 5-11, 170-pound O’Neil completed 12 of 24 passes for 101 yards against St. Edward. He played in only one varsity game before the state semifinal, completing all three pass attempts.
Reinaldo Perez, Columbus Academy
The 6-3, 225-pound Perez saw plenty of playing time last season, especially at defensive end. Also an offensive lineman and tight end, Perez is expected…
The Columbus Dispatch
