FL Future Stars: Class of 2026 Practice Standouts – Part 1

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 Florida eighth-grade team during the practices. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363508 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/JabariBrady-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212268" first="Jabari" last="Brady"] | Wide Receiver </strong> In my opinion, Brady was the most impressive 2026 prospect at the Future Stars Game event, regardless of state. He was incredible. Easy to see why he already holds offers from Florida State, Georgia, Arkansas, Oregon and Louisville. Had eight touchdowns on Varsity last year as an eighth-grader. He is verified at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Most impressive is his length, as his finger tips reached his knee caps when standing up straight. Incredible catch radius. He’s the whole package. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363513 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/TedrickLee-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tedrick Lee | Wide Receiver </strong> I’ve been scouting and evaluating middle school football talent to know when I see a kid who is just "different". From the first couple reps of watching Lee, it was an obvious he was a hard-nosed kid who played the game violently and attacking. That night I found out Lee is not only an elite football prospect, but also one of the top wrestlers in the nation, as well. He capped off Future Stars week with an offer from Arkansas for football. The prospect should have his choice of schools and sport(s). <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363526 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/TonyKennedy-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tony Kennedy Jr. | Quarterback</strong> Kennedy Jr. had a very nice week of practice leading up to the Future Stars game(s). He’s a well-put together prospect at 6-foot and 185-pounds. Has more of a Linebacker build then a Quarterback build at this point. In one view, he has a lot of natural gifts and makes quick decisions to make plays happen. In another light, he’s very raw from a fundamental and progression standpoint. The good thing about being raw in the latter, is that those skills can be taught and improved over time. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363537 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/ElijahKeys-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Elijah Keys | Athlete</strong> During the regular season, Keys split time between Quarterback and Wide Receiver. However, for the Florida Future Stars eighth-grade team, Keys looked at home bouncing between Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. Another one of those Florida prospects with a similar build of long, lean and fast. Did a really nice job of playing in space as a Safety, eventually getting an interception on game day against Georgia. Also enjoyed watching him come down hill and bump in run support, as well. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363545 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/JamarDenson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jamar Denson | Wide Receiver</strong> Denson is a prospect with game-changing speed and athleticism for just being a 2026 prospect. He played a little bit of everything at the Future Stars Game including Running Back, Wide Receiver and Kick Returner. Came into the week with an offer from Cincinnati and it was noticeable he was playing a step or two quicker than others on the field. The rich will get richer this fall, when Denson joins Chaminade-Madonna. A year ago, the Lions went 12-1 and finished as the No.5 team in Florida. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363548 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/MichaelVernon-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Michael Vernon II | Athlete</strong> One of the smaller prospects on the Florida Future Stars, Vernon II could my eye with his overall speed and quickness. Technically a Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, where I saw Vernon gash his teammates during practice was in the return game. Listed at only 125 pounds on the roster, he was able to hit an extra gear when running with the ball in open space. Honestly, looked significantly faster when he had a bit of room to rev up his engine. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-363549 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/AmirShabazz-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Amir Shabazz | Wide Receiver</strong> Loved watching Shabazz and his energy at practice. Didn’t say too much out loud, but he was nodding his head and lively bouncing around practice all week long. Almost seemed as if he had a soundtrack going off in his head and he was feeling the music. During the regular season he was part of the Pop Warner 14U National Championship-winning Fort Pierce FireHawks. Contributed to the Florida Future Stars team as a Gunner on Kick-Off, in addition to Wide Receiver on offense.