2019 Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown:
Players to Watch
David Afari (Lakota West): The senior running back is ranked
as the No. 28 player in Ohio according to 247sports.com. As a
junior, Afari rushed for 631 yards and one touchdown for the
Firebirds. Afari has committed to Miami (Ohio) University.
Luke Collinsworth (East Central): The junior offensive tackle is
the third ranked player of the 2021 class in Indiana according to
247sports.com. Collinsworth, who is attracting attention from
several BCS schools, helped lead the Trojans to a 24-5 record the
past two seasons including a state championship back in 2017.
Darrion Henry (Princeton): Henry is ranked as the No. 2 player
overall in Ohio by 247sports.com. The Ohio State University
commit led a talented defense in tackles last season, with 61,
while also leading the Greater Miami Conference with 8.5 sacks,
to earn first team all-GMC honors.
Cameron Hergott (Beechwood): Expect this junior to get plenty
of attention beginning this fall, as Hergott looks to lead the Tigers
to a fourth consecutive state title after helping lead Beechwood to

 its third straight Class A last year after passing for 1,671 yards
and 24 TDs for the explosive Tigers’ offense.
Brycen Huddleston (Highlands): Huddleston, who helped
Highlands reach double-digit wins last season, is regarded as one
of the top linebackers in the Bluegrass state. The Eastern
Michigan University commit was named first team All-Northern
Kentucky last season.
Jakob James (Elder): James is the No. 29 ranked player of the
2020 class in Ohio according to 247sports.com. The 6-foot-5
offensive guard has committed to Ohio State University. James
will be relied upon heavily to bolster the Panthers’ offensive line in
2019. James was named second team All-Greater Catholic
League South a year ago.
Jaylen Johnson (La Salle): Johnson is the No. 11 ranked player
of the 2021 class in Ohio according to 247sports.com. The safety
recorded 28 tackles and one interception in seven games as a
sophomore and was named second team All-Greater Catholic
League South in 2018.
Paris Johnson Jr. (Princeton): Johnson is ranked as the No. 1
player in Ohio and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation
according to 247sports.com. A transfer from St. Xavier, Johnson
has committed to Ohio State University after being named first
team All-Greater Catholic League South. Johnson was named to
USA Today’s Chosen 25. Tuesday, Johnson was named a
preseason All-American by MaxPreps.
Daved Jones Jr. (Lakota West): Jones, who committed to the
University of Cincinnati, recorded 41 tackles and had two fumble
recoveries as a junior, and was named first team All-Greater
Miami Conference.

 Luke Kandra (Elder): The 6-foot-4 offensive guard has
committed to the University of Louisville. Kandra is the No.47
ranked player in Ohio according to 247sports.com. Kandra led
the Panthers to the Ohio Division I regional final and was named
first team All-Greater Catholic League South a year ago.
Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic): A University of Notre
Dame commit, Mayer is No. 79 in the ESPN 300 rankings for the
2020 class. The Colonels’ senior, who plays tight end and
linebacker, was named to USA Today’s Chosen 25. He was
selected first team all-state last season by the Associated Press.
Mayer has 51 career receptions for 1,707 yards and 14 TDs.
Mayer was named a preseason All-American by MaxPreps.
JuTahn McClain (Fairfield): McClain, a University of Kentucky
commit, is ranked as the No. 7 player in Ohio and the No. 9
running back nationally by 247sports.com. McClain led the
Greater Miami Conference in rushing yards last year with 1,676
yards and rushing TD’s with 25. He was voted first team All-GMC
and was selected first team all-state by the Ohio Prep
Sportswriters Association in 2018.
Cameron Porter (La Salle): A solid performer the last three
seasons for the Lancers, Porter is ranked as the No. 16 player in
Ohio according to 247sports.com. A Northwestern University
commit, Porter ran for 356 yards and five scores to earn first team
All-Greater Catholic League South honors.
Evan Prater (Wyoming): What can Prater do for an encore, after
leading Wyoming to a perfect season as a junior? The University
of Cincinnati commit is rated as the No. 6 prospect in Ohio and
No. 5 overall as a dual-threat quarterback by 247sports.com. In
his career, Prater has rushed for 2,615 yards and 46 TDs, while
also throwing for 3,883 yards and 51 TDs. He was named the

 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division IV Offensive Player
of the Year.
Joe Royer (Elder): The Ohio State University is rated as the No.
9 player in Ohio and the No. 13 tight end in the nation according
to 247sports.com. Royer caught 32 passes for 615 yards and five
TDs last season as a junior. His receiving yards ranked second in
the Greater Catholic League South, where he earned first team
all-league honors for an explosive Elder offense.
Vuk Sajlovic (Simon Kenton): Sajlovic is looking for a big
senior season after recording 81 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior
for the Pioneers, who has now won 10 or more games the last six
seasons. Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry expects his
talented senior to be among the top defensive linemen in
Kentucky this season
Jaheim Thomas (Princeton): Thomas, who recently committed
to the University of Cincinnati, is rated the No. 5 player in Ohio
according to 247sports.com. A member of a talented Princeton
team, Thomas earned second team All-Greater Miami
Conference honors as a junior after recording 38 tackles in the
nine games he played for the Vikings.
Carrington Valentine (Moeller): A versatile player, Valentine
committed to the University of Kentucky after spending some time
on both sides of the ball and special teams last season.
Valentine, who helped anchor the Crusaders’ secondary, was
named second team All-Greater Catholic League South by the
four league coaches.
Miyan Williams (Winton Woods): Williams was named the Ohio
Mr. Football runner-up his junior season after rushing for 2,824
yards and 38 TDs in helping Winton Woods advance to the DII
state semifinal game. His 38 rushing TDs were the most in a

 single season in OHSAA history. Williams has committed to Iowa
State University.