Kentucky high school tight end Seneca Driver was flagged for a personal foul Friday after a viral tackle that lifted and slammed an opposing defender to the turf during a 38-3 Boyle County win.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Driver, committed to Oklahoma for the 2027 class, was chasing down Ballard cornerback Andy Shepherd when he intercepted a pass near the end zone. Driver caught Shepherd, lifted him off the ground, and drove him into the ground in a takedown that quickly spread across social media. Officials penalized Driver for the hit, though the penalty did not affect the game’s outcome.
After the play, Shepherd moved toward Driver before Boyle County linebacker Philly Koorsen stepped between them to separate the players, according to multiple reports.
Driver’s background and recruiting status
Driver, a senior from Danville, Kentucky, is ranked as the No. 3 tight end prospect in the 2027 class by On3. He committed to Oklahoma on March 7 and helped Boyle County win Kentucky’s Class 4A championship in 2025, earning state Player of the Year honors. During his junior season, he recorded 875 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, 67 tackles, and five interceptions.
Oklahoma’s 2027 recruiting class, currently ranked No. 6 nationally by Rivals, includes five-star offensive tackle Kaeden Penny and four-star linebacker Cooper Witten, son of former NFL tight end and current Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten. The Sooners’ recruiting success under Witten has drawn multiple top tight end prospects to the program.
Recent disciplinary history
This is not Driver’s first disciplinary incident this season. He was ejected from a Sept. 4 game against Lexington Catholic for an unspecified reason, per reports.
Reaction and analysis
The play has drawn significant attention for its physicality and technique, with some observers praising Driver’s athleticism and others questioning the safety of such hits in high school football. The personal foul penalty reflects ongoing debates about tackling rules and player safety at the high school level, where enforcement can vary by state and league.
Boyle County’s win improved their record to 4-1, with the team’s performance continuing to draw scrutiny alongside individual standout plays like Driver’s tackle.