Future Stars Game: 2028 Prospects That Caught My Eye – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the recruiting world continues to speed up and the times continue to change drastically, the seventh-grade school year is poised to become the year when the scholarship conversation begins to happen. The change has been coming for years and it's now here. The rising ninth-grader (class of 2027, who just finished eighth grade) athletes have received a record number of verbal offers, which has caused this 2028 class (will be eighth graders in the fall) to also report a record number of verbal offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Future Stars Game event is no stranger to elite talent early. For years they've been pinning elite middle school competition against each other, and this year was no different. Here's a look at Part 1 of the class of 2028 standouts from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866094"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"- If I was the head of a football program at any level: youth, middle school, high school, college or beyond, I'd want Gonzalez-Turner on my team. If there was a prospect that hustled or worked harder at Future Stars, I'd like to see the non-existent film, because what he did was impressive.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Whether playing center or defensive tackle he played the game the way it's supposed to play. Sprinted to the ball, off the field, and out of huddle's faster than anyone else.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Defensively, he was very quick off the snap and had a ton of penetration before other linemen even moved out of their stanceu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- On top of quick feet and hands, he had leadership skills too. Regardless if it happens on the gridiron, or outside the football world, he's going to be a successful young man","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["866849"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"- Really impressive prospect that will be in the eighth-grade this upcoming school year and already stands every bit of the 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds he's listed at, on paperu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- In talking with the The Sunshine State native and his father, he actually spends more time playing basketball at this point than he does footballu002du002dbut the kid is a nasty football tight end/defensive endu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Maybe it's the physical appearance and Italian bloodlines, but Arcaro reminds me a lot of 11-year NFL vet Anthony Fasano. Having played against Fasano in high school before he went on to Notre Dame, the similarities are strikingu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- From what I saw last week, I'd be inviting him to a college camp immediately. Played to the whistle and beyond, with a mean attitude. If he can pick up his straight line speed, he's a a future FBS player at this point","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["656532"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"- There's not an MVP award Williams hasn't added to his mantel this spring, including the Prep Redzone Next camp in Georgiau003cbru003eu003cbru003e- At the Future Stars Game event, once again showed off what he has displayed all year long in terms of raw power and abilityu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Long term I see him as an interior offensive lineman, but started at left tackle during the Future Stars Game against Florida and South Carolina. Also did a good job as a defensive tackle in practiceu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- At 5-foot-11 and 280 pounds, he's bottom heavy with a strong base that he uses to overpower his opponent regardless of what side of the ball he's on","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["873100"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"- Dawkins was one of the main factors the South Carolina Future Stars found success during the week, sparking the team offensively and in special teamsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Currently possesses game-breaking speed that he used to return a kick for a touchdown against Georgia and a punt for a touchdown against North Carolina in back-to-back gamesu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Made a number of nice grabs throughout the weekend and certainly did his part to keep South Carolina alive. Looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next calendar year before heading to high schoolu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- One of the bright young stars in a talent-rich Gaffney High School pipeline","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["866141"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"- He literally didn't get a break during practice for the North Carolina Future Stars. Yet, didn't hear him complain for a second and only time I heard him say a word was when I was talking to himu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- At 6-foot and 160 pounds, he's put together very well and was thicker than some of the outside linebackers on the NC Future Stars team, despite playing Safety during practiceu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Come game time I noticed him getting more reps as a wide receiver, than at safetyu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Either way, Puckett is a player with a lot of potential to make noise as he continues through his prep football career","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["866847"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"- Was the first 2028 prospect I noticed during Florida Future Stars practice, because the kid is put together like not many other prospects are at this levelu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- In my notes I legitimately have, u0022grown man athleticismu0022 jotted down based off his ability to play any skill position, in any of the three facets of the gameu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Have him listed as an ATH (athlete) because at 6-foot and 180-chiseled-pounds, he looks like he can play anywhere from running back, to wide receiver, to linebacker or even safetyu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Legitimately was a playmaker all week long. He scored on a beautiful deep ball against a live scrimmage period against the 2027 (8u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e grade) Florida Future Stars, scored on an interception return against North Carolina in game action, and topped it off with a reverse for a touchdown against Georgia in the championship","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["410856"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"- In a state, and on a team, where the talent was outstanding to watch, Robinson was the heartbeat that paced Georgia all week longu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- A returner from last year's sixth grade team, Robinson was no stranger to the platform of the Future Stars Game event. He seized the moment this year and came home with the overall MVP award from the seventh-grade Georgia Future Stars victory over Floridau003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Hard to put into words how calm he stayed and in control he looked of the entire offense from the opening whistle of the first practice. Cool, calm and collected from start to finishu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- In the above-mentioned victory over Florida in the championship game, Robinson was clicking early and often, notching a pair of touchdown passes in the victory","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["866154"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"- Really impressive linebacker prospect for only being a 2028 prospect, who plays at a level and speed faster than the majority of kids in this countryu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- The term u0022sideline-to-sidelineu0022 rings true for Jones Jr.. Has the speed of a defensive back, the size and power of a linebacker and the vision of a running backu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Was tempted to list him as an Athlete because of how he moves, but ultimately I think he'll eventually stay put as either an athletic middle linebacker or a true outside linebackeru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- On top of a ton of tackles in both games, he also returned the opening kick-off of the second half for a touchdown against South Carolina","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["866837"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"- A menace coming off the edge as a defensive end, using overwhelming speed and quickness to beat opposing offensive tackle's throughout the weeku003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Athletic doesn't begin to explain Martin's game on the field. Could easily see him playing any number of positions, especially since he was warming up before practice throwing bombs as a quarterbacku003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Saved his most memorable performance for the championship game against Georgia, unofficially tallying three sacks, a forced fumble and an interceptionu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds and moving as fluidly as he does, I can see him eventually becoming an edge or a true outside linebacker. He's a talent","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["548207"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"- Out of all the 2028 prospects I saw during Future Stars, Williams was the most offer-worthy kid I could think of when looking at the current seventh-grade athletesu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- The North Carolina left tackle is already 6-foot-3 and weighs 260-pounds, with length and a broad frame that could easily carry 30 more pounds. To boot, has an older brother that is 6-foot-8u003cbru003eu003cbru003e- I love when kids this big, this young, aren't just on the field because of their sizeu002du002dWilliams has a ton of ability too. In both games I watched him play during the Future Stars, he took a player and drove him 10+ yards out of the way and finished the blocku003cbru003eu003cbru003e- First saw him play in December, and in the six months between watching him live, that mean switch got flipped. Also does whatever is asked of him, as he nearly made a tackle running down field on special teams","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["717436"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"- Call it an old school eye, but if you're wearing jersey #1 you better be able to play a little ball. Rest assured, Parrot dawned that #1 jersey and more than earned itrnrn- A returner from last year's team, Parrot started on both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and safety during the Future Stars Game eventrnrn- In the championship game against Florida, Parrot caught a pass and had a stellar catch and run for a touchdown as a wideoutrnrn- On the defensive side of the ball, also got his paws on an errant pass and hauled in an interception in the W over The Sunshine State","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648df4ca756c7"} /-->