Official Mississippi 8th Grade FBU National Championship Preview

<strong>Get Familiar:</strong> The Mississippi 8^th grade squad says they’re on a mission to do something they’ve never done before—with the FBU National Championship. Since its inaugural season, team Mississippi has failed to get out of the opening weekend due much in part to being in a tough Southeast bracket. However, with some changes to the tournament field, Mississippi moves over to the Texas bracket for the first time. While not taking anything away from Dallas, Houston and Austin, on paper the bracket seems much easier than having to go through the heavy hitters such as GFL and GMSAA. Though time will tell, this Mississippi squad is excited to get it poppin’. <strong>How they’ll light it up:</strong> Mississippi was careful not to tip their hand too much when talking about offenses, but did make it clear that nothing is off the table. They plan to go multiple sets and run everything from the spread offense to light up the scoreboard to the Wing-T to control the ball and milk the clock if necessary. Coaches stated that we shouldn’t be surprised to see them in 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end and two receivers) a decent amount. Also the pistol offense will be a variation they go to, depending on what the defense gives them. <strong>How they’ll shut it down:</strong> The boys from the ‘Sip plan to start in a base 5-3 with a bunch of a different looks along the front with the defensive line and linebackers. Sometimes they’ll be walked up, sometimes they’ll have their hand in the dirt and perhaps sometimes everyone will be standing up to cause chaos. Coaches vowed that this team will “run different” to the ball and will be all over the offense. The number one goal defensively is to not let any offense get comfortable at any time. <strong><u>Mt. Rushmore</u></strong> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-233770 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/BraedenGregory-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Braeden Gregory | Running Back</strong> After leading his middle school team to a championship as a quarterback, Gregory will settle back into his natural position and lead the running back group for Mississippi. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound running back is a carbon copy of former three-time Pro Bowler, Darren Sproles. Not the biggest in terms of stature at this point but is an elite middle school prospect. He’s electric with the ball in his hands and one of biggest playmakers in the country. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-233771 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JaraylanMcCoy-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212365" first="JaReylan" last="McCoy"] | Defensive End/Tight End</strong> If you’re 6-foot-7 and pushing 270 pounds as an 8^th grader, you better be special—and that is [player_tooltip player_id="212365" first="JaReylan" last="McCoy"]. Physically, he could be the most impressive prospect in the entire tournament. As a tight end he is so big and strong, there’s not many in the country that even stand a chance at covering him. Defensively, he’s always on attack mode and can shut down his side of the field. He’s about as can’t-miss of an 8^th grade prospect as you’ll ever see. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-233774 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/HazeShelton-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Hayzen Shelton | Offensive Line</strong> The freakshow sizes don’t stop at the aforementioned McCoy because anchoring the offensive line will be 6-foot-5, 283-pound Hayzen Shelton. Shelton returns to Team Mississippi this year after an excellent showing a year ago. He was a big reason (figuratively and literally) why St. Paul’s Middle School went undefeated this year. The big man was also selected to FBU Top Gun after a great showing at the Alabama camp this past spring. He’s a dude. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-233775 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/BralanWomack-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Bralan Womack | Athlete</strong> Womack is the type of do-it-all kid that just makes the offense and defense go. Offensively, he is the go-to wide receiver during the regular season for the anticipated QB1 (Jaxon Jenkins) so that rapport is already built and should pay off. Defensively, he projects to a D1 FBS safety in my opinion. He’s a long, fast kid with pogo-sticks for legs—he will outjump nearly anyone to bring home the ball. Understand communication and speed, as he’s also an elite centerfielder on the baseball diamond. <strong><u>Offensive Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212366" first="Kalvin" last="Moua"] | Wide Receiver </strong></li> <li><strong>Jaxon Jenkins | Quarterback</strong></li> <li><strong>Jalen Griffin | Wide Receiver</strong></li> <li><strong>Omar Brand | Wide Receiver</strong></li> </ul> <strong><u>Defensive Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Tatum Mays | Defensive End</strong></li> <li><strong>DeMario Smith | Defensive Line</strong></li> <li><strong>Jermandy Hayden | Defensive Line</strong></li> </ul>