NC Future Stars: Class of 2026 Practice Standouts

The Future Stars Game features many of the nation's top talent. The 2022 version of this game features athletes in the 8th grade (2026), 7th grade (2027) and 6th grade (class of 2028) in the states from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Below, here's a look at the athletes that stood out from the North Carolina eighth-grade team during the practices. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365859 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/CameronMelvin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="1076281" first="Cameron" last="Melvin"] | Linebacker | 2026</strong> I've covered Melvin several times over the last year, but this past week at the Future Stars Game, he was the best I've seen him. Has really started to transform his body and it's evident to see in his quickness on the field. A powerful Linebacker who reads and reacts with great instincts. Coaches had to tell him to tone it down more than one during practice. The future is bright for him. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365858 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/DarrellPaige-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Darrell Paige | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | 2026</strong> Listed on the roster at only 5-foot-7, I think Paige is actually a few inches taller than that. He made a number of plays at both Wide Receiver and Safety during the practices leading up to game day(s).  As a Safety, read plays well and was able to roll over the top to help out Defensive Backs. As a Receiver, ran decent routes and was in position to catch the majority of his targets. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365857 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/DesmondJordan-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Desmond Jordan | Quarterback | 2026</strong> Jordan looked every bit the athlete on the field at 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds. Good build and athletic looking prospect. Defensively could settle in at Safety if asked to. Shined at Quarterback with dual-threat ability. Jordan is a southpaw who threw a decent ball, but it's his legs that made me take note. Very good in-action speed and agility. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365856 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/EthanNelson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ethan Nelson | Linebacker | 2026</strong> Nelson stood out during defensive drills for the North Carolina Future Stars during the week. Hamstringed by low numbers on the roster, he didn't get a ton of positional work as a ‘backer, but during a thud period he was flying around the practice field. Moved well relative to his size and had some good muscle mass. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365855 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/JaydenNordtveit-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="284092" first="Jayden" last="Nordtveit"] | Running Back | 2026</strong> Nordtveit was the top player I saw during practices for the eighth-grade North Carolina Future Stars team. On the roster at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, he passed the eye test right away in terms of build. Tight, built hamstrings and lower half, while having good muscle everywhere else. Hit the hole hard as a Running Back and arrived with bad intentions as a Linebacker. He's going to be a good one. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365854 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/KeenanCuthrell-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Keenan Cuthrill | Defensive Line | 2026</strong> Cuthrell is a very big, wide prospect, listed at 351 pounds on the roster. While some heights and weights may not match up to what I saw, Cuthrell is every bit of that weight. He's a huge kid that dominates most other kids at this level because of his size. Must cut some weight to maximize his ability. Good for right now, but must improve from a physical standpoint. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-365853 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/KeithFosterJr-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Keith Foster Jr. | Defensive Line | 2026</strong> Of all the linemen on the North Carolina Future Stars, Foster has the biggest upside. On the roster at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, when Foster Jr. wanted to take over—he did so with little opposition. He's a big, interior guy that could easily plug two gaps if asked to. Needs to get more consistent in effort, but he's disruptive when he goes.