KY Future Stars: Class of 2026 Game Top Performers

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of getting to watch some of the top upcoming football talent from the state of Kentucky in the Kentucky Future Stars vs Tennessee Future Stars all star games. The third and final game of the day was the eighth grade game featuring prospects from the class of 2026. This was a very hard fought battle from start to finish but the Kentucky Future Stars unfortunately fell short in the final seconds of the game. Even in the loss, there was a ton of talent on display for Kentucky and there were many players worthy of receiving recognition,  but here are the prospects that stood out the most to me for the Eighth Grade Kentucky Future Stars <img class="alignleft wp-image-366793 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/TyreeStoner-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id='401929' first='Tyree' last='Stoner'] | Quarterback | 2026 While he didn't get the start at quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='401929' first='Tyree' last='Stoner'] took advantage of his opportunity when his name was called and was a big reason for Kentucky staying in the game until the very end. He showed true dual threat ability with incredible skill as a ball carrier as well as great skills as a passer. As a passer, he showed impressive ability to fit the ball into tight windows where only his receiver could catch it. When under pressure, Stoner showed the ability to escape the pocket and tuck the ball to pick up positive yards on the ground.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366795 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/MarkezzHightower-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">Markezz Hightower | Running Back | 2026 In my eyes, Markezz Hightower was the best offensive player on the field from both sides in this game. He is the complete package at running back with speed, quickness, power, and athleticism. Once the running lane opens, Hightower comes downhill in a hurry, keeping his legs churning and lowering his shoulder to punish any defender who tries to tackle him. In the open field, he showed off some impressive elusiveness, making defenders miss. He also showed the speed to run away from defenders and athleticism to hurdle them when needed. His play earned him Offensive MVP honors for Kentucky. I very much look forward to watching Hightower progress during his high school career.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366797 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/DylanPeck-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id="283967" first="Dylan" last="Peck"] | Offensive Line | 2026 Peck was a true leader up front for the Kentucky offensive line. He has a quick first step off the line of scrimmage, beating his opponent to the point of attack. Once he gets that first step, Peck does a great job of getting inside position with his hands and using his strength to create movement off the line of scrimmage. He played with the tenacity and motor that I truly love to see when watching offensive linemen.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366798 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/CamThomas-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id="212332" first="Cam" last="Thomas"] | Defensive Line | 2026 While he already holds multiple Division I offers and is a big name in recruiting circles, [player_tooltip player_id="212332" first="Cam" last="Thomas"] lived up to the hype in my first time seeing him in person. He has an explosive first step and converts it into speed, getting around the edge before opposing tackles can get their hands on him. Thomas also showed impressive pass rush moves to keep fighting offensive tackles if they were able to get their hands on them. This included a very impressive spin move which is very hard to block. I fully expect the offers to continue to pour in for Thomas going into his freshman year of high school.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366804 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/JayQuanCrawford-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id="283970" first="JayQuan" last="Crawford"] | Running Back | 2026 [player_tooltip player_id="283970" first="JayQuan" last="Crawford"] was used as the true power back in an impressive Kentucky backfield. He is a big, strong back that is a downhill runner, hitting the hole off the snap of the ball and running through anything in his path. Even if he wasn't breaking on a long run, Crawford kept his legs churning to make sure he picked up as many yards as possible. On many occasions, it took almost the whole defense to finally bring him to the ground.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366813 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/Daelen-Thompson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id='401698' first='Daelen' last='Thompson'] | Wide Receiver | 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='401698' first='Daelen' last='Thompson'] was the most impressive wide receiver for the Kentucky squad on Saturday. He worked mainly out of the slot where I truly believe he will thrive at the high school level. He has impressive route running ability, using his quick breaks to create separation from defenders. After the catch, he used his elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field and turn short passes/screens into big gains. He also showed the ability to run through tackles on multiple occasions. I'm very excited to watch Thompson progress at the high school level as I believe he could be special.   [player_tooltip player_id="212336" first="Marlon" last="Harbin"] | Wide Receiver | 2026<img class="alignleft wp-image-366815 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/MarlonHarbin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"> [player_tooltip player_id="212336" first="Marlon" last="Harbin"] was yet another reliable receiver on the Kentucky team. He showed impressive awareness with the ability to react and come back for the ball when under thrown. Harbin also has very reliable hands and the ability to make defenders miss after the catch to pick up extra yards. He also impressed me as a blocker, showing not only a willingness to block but the physicality to finish those blocks.    <img class="alignleft wp-image-366817 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/CoreyWarner-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">Corey Warner | Wide Receiver | 2026 Another dangerous wide receiver for Kentucky, Corey Warner caught my attention on multiple occasions on Saturday. He was very impressive in the short passing game. Warner showed the ability to catch quick passes and screens and turn them into big gains. He picked up those extra yards in multiple different ways, including using his speed to run away from defenders, making them miss in the open field, and simply running straight through them.    <img class="alignleft wp-image-366823 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/WyattRamey-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">Wyatt Ramey | Running Back | 2026 While Hightower was the lead back for the Kentucky team, Wyatt Ramey is another back that impressed me on Saturday. Ramey showed impressive patience, allowing his blocks to set up. Once his linemen cleared out a lane, Ramey found it and came downhill in a hurry. When running through the hole, Ramey showed that he is a very physical runner, lowering his shoulder and running his feet to break tackles and pick up extra yards.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-366824 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/DaltonTarter-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150">[player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] | Linebacker | 2026 While the majority of this article focused on offensive players, [player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] is a player who stood out on defense. He showed an impressive ability to lead the defense as the man in the middle. Tarter does a great job of reading his keys and reacting quickly to put himself in position to make plays. He was all over the field on Saturday, taking great angles to the ball and showing that he is a very reliable tackler once he gets there. Tarter's play earned him Defensive MVP honors for Kentucky.