FBU National Championship: Cent. Florida 8th Grade Tryout Stars

Programs around the nation are gearing up for the FBU National Championship tournament and holding tryouts to find the best athletes in their area to compete. The FBU National Championship tournament celebrates and promotes youth football through uniting all-star athletes of all backgrounds from across the United States in a true, one-of-a-kind national tournament. The only national football tournament of its kind, the annual FBU National Championship crowns a national champion from brackets in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th. Last weekend, FBU National Championship mainstay Central Florida held their final tryout of the month of October and the competition did not disappoint. At the tryout several athletes came out to compete for a spot to represent the greater Orlando area. The Central Florida 8th grade team won the National Championship in 2011 and they're hoping this group of 8th graders can get them back to the top of the mountain. Here's a look at who stood out. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215808 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/NoahMaddox-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212355" first="Noah" last="Maddox"] | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Linebacker The 2026 ‘backer is starting for Central Florida Christian Academy HS and the MLB and is competing for first in his district in tackles. At a stout 185-190 lbs. already he's going to continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger, which will be a scary sight for opposing OC's in the coming years. Additionally, he's able to explode out of his stance when going downhill and is strong at the point of contact. I was also impressed by his attitude and work ethic, and it's easy to see that the LB has a bright future ahead of him. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215809 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DereonColeman-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212264" first="Dereon" last="Coleman"] | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Quarterback Another 2026er who is starting for his high school (Fort Meade HS), [player_tooltip player_id="212264" first="Dereon" last="Coleman"] is already a stud at the QB position and will be a big-time name to know out of Central Florida in the next few years. He originally caught my eye in warmups before the event started, where his clean and smooth throwing mechanics and spiral were hard to miss, and his arm strength and velocity looked like that of a much older football prospect. He continued to impress me during the combine portion of the day, where he was one of the fastest players at the event and overall a smooth athlete who could cut and use his mobility to his advantage. After watching him it made sense that he was starting for a high school as only an 8th grader. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215811 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/CecilPunter-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212261" first="Cecil" last="Punter"] | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Wide Receiver Despite the varsity talent at the event, I may have come away from FBU Central Florida tryout the most impressed by WR [player_tooltip player_id="212261" first="Cecil" last="Punter"] – who showed up to the event late, as he was coming straight from a padded game with his 8th grade team. I appreciated the dedication, and on top of that Punter was arguably the best athlete at the tryout. With long arms, a long stride, and some already obvious muscle definition in his arms and shoulders, he was explosive out of his stance and in and out of his breaks and could outrun anyone at the event. He just looked like a natural out on the football field and showed some impressive ability to separate when running routes and finish catches with his hands. I think there's a lot of good things coming in his future. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215813 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/ChanceBarclay--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Chance Barclay | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Offensive Line The biggest prospect at the tryout came out of the offensive line and the well-built OT Chance Barclay who looked every bit of the 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds he's listed at. For a younger recruit with size, I was happy to see that the big dog had good coordination and movement skills and could cut and advance laterally while keeping his body in a good position. I was impressed with him during the 5-10-5 testing, and he was a hard worker with a good motor and in good shape. He also carried his 240ish pounds well and possesses an excellent frame to continue growing and adding muscle. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215816 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/GraysonGibson--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Grayson Gibson | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Wide Receiver The 2026 wideout is heading to Lake Nona High School next year and already has an intriguing frame for the WR position at 6-foot-1 and 145 pounds, and has a lot of potential in his future. With long arms and soft hands, he was one of the most polished receivers at the event and understood route running and how and when to drop his hips when breaking off a route and trying to get open. He could break and cut on a dime, and he also had strong, soft hands that didn't drop a ball on the day. There was a lot to like in his game and he was a fun kid to talk to with a good head on his shoulders. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215817 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/RobertoCastillo--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Roberto Castillo | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Linebacker One of the bigger, stronger, 2026ers at the tryout came from future Lake Howell High School linebacker Roberto Castillo. The 5-foot-3, 160-pound young buck moved and carried himself like a hard hitter, and after checking out his film I was happy to see that I was correct on that inkling. He's moves and plays with power and explodes out of his cuts and quick for being one of the bigger kids at the tryout. He was fun to watch and shines brightest when the pads are on. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215818 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/MakaiGeorges-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Makai Georges | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Wide Receiver The future 2026 grad is heading to Lake Gibson High School next year and was one of the more physically developed players at the tryout, with definition in his arms and a thick lower body. He was an offensive weapon during 1-on-1s and lined up as both a WR and RB and could shake defenders and get open from either position. His top-end speed stood out immediately, as he could chase down deep passes and get underneath the football with impressive ease that was fun to watch, and I also saw him completely lay out and put his body on the line to make some fantastic diving catches. He was fearless out there and was also strong and had no problem running through contact and using his body to get open. I think Lake Gibson is getting a good one. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215819 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/CurtisDewberry--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Curtis Dewberry | 8th Grade - Class of 2026 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Caught my attention due to his versatility and work ethic, as he wouldn't stay off the field during 1-on-1s and took rep after rep at both corner and wide receiver. He played both with a physical edge and had a more developed body than most of his peers.