KYMSFA All-Star Tryouts: 2027 Defensive Studs

The Kentucky Middle School Football Association (KYMSFA) held it's annual post-season all-star event tryouts this past weekend. Over 300 athletes came out for the tryout and there was no shortage of talent in the 7th grade (class of 20217) age group. Athletes from all over the state converged on West Jessamine High School to showcase their talents to evaluators. The middle school elite broke out into individual discipline's and this is the cream that rose to the top on defense. <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/4B2492CD-B477-4A66-87A7-81DC73F146FF-e1636667503242.jpeg" alt="" width="283" height="259" /> Nolan Flores | Defensive End Putting on a dominant performance on the D-line was Christian Academy of Louisville stand out Nolan Flores. A quiet kid with a loud presence in the trenches. He managed to blow past the O-line and be in the play on every snap. Did better at defensive end than he did on the interior of the line. Flores is more of a speed rusher with great swim moves.   <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/8520F227-6D68-47B1-BBD4-476D975CFE18-e1636667683750.jpeg" alt="" width="283" height="257" /> Jakuise Smith | Defensive Line A force to be reckoned with was defensive Tackle, Jakuise Smith. Smith is a student at Franklin Simpson Middle School, where his defensive performance has and will make an impact. Smith was pushing the line around at will with his quick get off and aggressive persistence. .   <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/2FEF650E-B447-45D2-8BDE-88C4DA90C530-e1636667906529.jpeg" alt="" width="283" height="309" /> Jaylan Justice | Linebacker At the linebacker position was the most explosive player at this age group. Jalyn Justice was an absolute beast representing Pikeville Middle School. In open field tackling drills he was punishing running backs with his speed and fearless pursuit. Justice was able to break down and powerfully form tackle anything out of the back field.       <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/814826E7-A867-42C9-AD5A-B0B8293CB241-e1636669049902.jpeg" alt="" width="282" height="268" /> Jeremiah Anderson | Linebacker No doubt they are doing something right in Pikeville with linebackers, as Jeremiah Anderson also ripped running backs to shreds. Anderson hits like a tank making evaluators jump up and down with pure enthusiasm. During 11 on 11 drills he was making plays both in the back field and in the secondary, a virtual headache for the offense.     <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/C0C3FDE4-3401-4922-9FC9-014DE6C3C0D2-e1636669223123.jpeg" alt="" width="280" height="262" /> Kaleb Maynard | Linebacker Kaleb Maynard brought some boom of his own with an aggressive performance. Maynard, a big bodied backer gave evaluators plenty to look at when dropping his shoulders and shutting down the run. Kaleb who plays for Johnson Central certainly took full advantage of his reps.       <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/47083617-3025-47BF-B8A9-2E4ACC625945-e1636669449226.jpeg" alt="" width="280" height="266" /> Carson Herbst | Cornerback At 5-foot-9 and 120 pounds there isn't much Carson can't do. Carson who plays for the Madison Panthers is a confident shut down corner with amazing range. Herbst seemed to find interceptions at will off of some of the best quarterbacks in the state. Tight coverage on dig routes and the speed to contest anything down field.