Klay Wilken, ready to seize the Stallion’s role in the Muhlenberg County Herd @CountyMustangs, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

’27 QB was a three phase threat as a sophomore

There aren’t too many coaches dropping back the QB-1 to return kicks on special teams. Coach Josh Staples was willing to do it in ’24 because Klay Wilken was too special an athlete to not be used in multiple phases of the game. Wilken is a 5’11,” 170 pounder with tremendous length and has clocked a 4.6-second, 40-yard dash corroborated by his 32-inch vertical and 11-second, 100-meter dash fully automated track time. This kid is a prospect on both sides of the scrimmage line and in all three phases of the game. Is he ready to fulfill the Stallion’s role in this herd of Mustangs? We believe he is.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, KPGFootball

Greeneville, KY: Let me tell you everything I know about Mustangs. Mustangs are feral, meaning they were tamed but became wild. Mustangs roam freely these days protected by the US Bureau of Land Management.

Mustangs’ ancestry dates back to the Spanish conquistadors. There is a regimented hierarchy within the Mustang herd with different horses holding ranks and not just one clear leader. However, one horse, “The Stallion” is widely considered the leader and can influence the herd’s direction.

The same is asked of QBs at the high school level. There isn’t just one clear leader but the QB is considered the leader and can influence a herd’s direction.

Last year, Klay Wilken was The Stallion of the Muhlenberg County herd and influenced the herd’s direction. Coach Josh Staples would like that herding to continue.

Wilken is a 5’11,” 170 pound athlete with a ton of length on his frame and quite a bit of lengthening left to experience. He has a fresh-face and the narrow shoulder width and long neckline of a kid who will get quite a bit taller.

Wilken plays taller than 5’11.” What we mean by that is he has a high release point and the ball shoots out of his hand like he is throwing a tennis ball. That is also called a quick and explosive release.

Wilken clips off forty yards in 4.6-seconds. This time is corroborated by his track time in 100-meters, 11-seconds and his vertical of 32-inches. Wilken bench presses 175 and runs the 400-meter in 55-seconds.

For a skill guy at his stage of physical development, his bench press is pretty impressive. He will get stronger with maturity and as his frame finishes.

This kid was a ‘holy’ terror, if you will, over the course of his sophomore season at the 5A level. Wilken threw for 937-yards and 7-TDs, rushed for 353-yards and 8-TDs while leading the team in scoring. Wilken picked off a pass on defense and averaged better than 25-yards per return. We call that “three (3)-phase utility.”

Now there aren’t too many head coaches who risk injury to their field generals (QB) by playing them on special teams in the return game. Staples told KPGFootball, “Wilken is just too good an athlete to not utilize his skill set everywhere possible.” College programs looking for a versatile and accomplished skill set should take specific note of this young phenom.

Like in a Mustang herd, the primary leader, “The Stallion,” is often responsible for protection and manifestations of dominance. Coach Staples is counting on Wilken, in ’25, to protect possessions, protect leads, and to manifest dominance over the team’s upcoming opposition.

As for Wilken, he claims being up to the challenge. We wouldn’t bet against that.

Then again, what do we know?

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

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