Raw with elite athleticism: In-state '25 WR Aveion Chenault is on the rise

Lexington’s Frederick Douglass High School has treated the Kentucky football program quite well over the years, especially when it comes to helping keep talented wide receivers in the Bluegrass State. Sophomore Dane Key and redshirt sophomore Dekel Crowdus came to UK in back-to-back years out of Frederick Douglass. Key, in particular, has been an impact playmaker for the Wildcats since day one.

The wide receiver pipeline dried up the last couple of seasons, but that’s changing in the class of 2025. Frederick Douglass junior wide-out Aveion Chenault is the latest Broncos’ pass-catcher making a name for himself not only in Kentucky, but across the region. Doubling as a star basketball player, you won’t find many high schoolers in the state with the insane level of athleticism that the 6-foot-2 playmaker possesses.

That athleticism was on full display during the Broncos’ most recent game, too — a tough 28-19 loss to Cathedral (IN), which was engineered by three-star Colorado QB commit Danny O’Neil. In spite of the disappointing outcome, Chenault had his best game of the season so far: three catches for 49 yards and one touchdown. His score came on a 4th and 11 when he sprinted right past the Cathedral defense and left just enough room in the endzone to finish off the six-point play.

TOUCHDOWN! 🚨 @FDouglassFB. @JaxStrautman 29 yards to @2aveion Chenault on 4th and 11. Broncos cut deficit to 14-7 against Cathedral. 3:18 2Q pic.twitter.com/EtktDvsz7y

— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) September 22, 2023

It was Chenault’s second touchdown of the season for Frederick Douglass, the state’s fourth-ranked team, which sits on a 2-3 record through five games after taking on a hellacious first-half schedule. Losses to Archbishop Hoban (OH), No. 2-ranked Corbin, and Cathedral (IN) hurt now, but should help the defending state champions come playoff time. It’s already helping Chenault steadily improve his own skills.

“He’s getting better. It’s been a work in progress of running the routes because he’s very raw. But he’s obviously an elite athlete,” Frederick Douglass head coach Nathan McPeek said of Chenault. “Thought he took a step in the right direction (against Cathedral). He made a lot of good plays, his best game he’s definitely played this season.”

“The schedule has helped us a lot,” Chenault added. “First week we played Hoban and then we just played Cathedral and we played Corbin last week. Those are really tough teams so that’s helping us for the districts and playoffs when they come around. So we’ll be up to par when that time comes around.”

On the season, Chenault has recorded 12 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Not crazy numbers, but nothing to scoff at when considering Frederick Douglass has been playing their sophomore backup quarterback all year. College coaches seem to know what kind of talent he is on the outside regardless of who’s throwing the ball. Chenault already holds offers from the likes of Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Ole Miss, Purdue, Duke, and as of this past weekend, Marshall.

In particular, Chenault says he’s talking the most with schools such as Michigan, Purdue, Duke, and Marshall. One of Chenault’s teammates, Jeremiah Lowe, is currently committed to Michigan. Kentucky is in the picture too. Associate head coach Vince Marrow is leading the Wildcats’ efforts and Chenault has plans to visit Kroger Field when Kentucky hosts Alabama in November.

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