Dre’Mail Carothers is quickly becoming a name to know in Kentucky high school football circles - and if his junior season is any indication, he won’t be under the radar much longer.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound quarterback from Owensboro Catholic was back on campus at Louisville this past weekend, taking in the Cardinals’ emphatic 41-0 win over rival Kentucky. And from the sound of it, the visit left a strong impression.
“I thought the Louisville game was great overall,” Carothers said. “A great environment for a great rivalry game.”
Carothers spent time postgame talking with Louisville offensive coordinator Brian Brohm, diving into his own development as a young quarterback and where his game can continue to grow. For a player with his physical tools and upside, those conversations could be the first of many as his recruitment picks up steam.
Right now, Carothers is in the middle of a breakout season. After backing up record-setting QB Brady Atwell last year, he’s stepped into the starting role and led Owensboro Catholic to the Class 2A state championship game. The Aces are 13-1 heading into Friday’s title showdown against Lexington Christian at Kroger Field.
Carothers has been nothing short of electric under center. Through 14 games, he’s completed 260 of 376 passes for 3,753 yards, 46 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
He’s also added 111 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground - not eye-popping rushing stats, but enough to keep defenses honest. For a first-year starter, those numbers are impressive.
For a junior still growing into his frame and refining his mechanics, they’re downright eye-opening.
“It feels great as a first-year starter, and I feel like we’ve been doubted all year,” Carothers said. “So it’s just amazing to be proving everyone wrong and showing the whole state who we are.”
He’s not wrong about the underdog narrative. Last season, Carothers played in all 15 games but mostly in a reserve role, throwing for 701 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 39 of 68 passes.
Owensboro Catholic went 14-1 and fell to Beechwood in the Class 2A title game. Fast forward a year, and Carothers is not only starting - he’s thriving, and the Aces are right back in the championship hunt.
And it’s not just football where Carothers makes an impact. He’s also a standout on the hardwood, averaging 8.3 points and a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game last season for the Aces’ basketball team. That multi-sport athleticism shows up in his quarterback play - he’s mobile, poised, and has the kind of body control you often see in players who don’t just specialize in one sport.
Recruiting-wise, Carothers already holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and picked up another from Kentucky’s previous coaching staff back in July. With his junior season wrapping up in a state title game and his name starting to buzz on the recruiting trail, don’t be surprised if more offers roll in soon - especially after performances like the one he’s put together this fall.
He’s got the size. He’s got the arm.
He’s got the poise. And now, he’s got the spotlight.
Dre’Mail Carothers is proving he belongs in the conversation among the top 2027 quarterbacks in the region - and maybe beyond.