Future Stars Game 8th Grade Running Back Practice Standouts
In any all-star game event setting, it’s much easier to play defense than it is to play offense. With things like timing, speed and cohesiveness playing a pivotal role in success, offenses tend to struggle more than defense’s. However, the…
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Continue ReadingIn any all-star game event setting, it’s much easier to play defense than it is to play offense. With things like timing, speed and cohesiveness playing a pivotal role in success, offenses tend to struggle more than defense’s. However, the offensive side of the ball can pace itself with a strong running game. Below are the eighth-grade running backs that separated themselves a bit and did a nice job throughout the practices. Take a look at some talented 2027’s from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The complete package at running back from what I observed during my time at Future Stars. A big, powerful back with speed and Florida swag to back it up. Sumpter Jr. is just as likely to run a defender over, as he is to make a quick cut and scoot by. At a rocked up 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he’s going to be a well-recruited running back/linebacker prospect on the high school level.
Parker came into the week with high expectations due to what I, and others, have seen him do throughout his middle school career. He did not disappoint at all. He looks like a Madden “create-a-player” complete with the muscular build, good speed and the dark visor on his helmet. Just one of an insanely talented–and crowded–Georgia 8th grade backfield.
Highlights
It was good to see Lindsay play live again, after he did a tremendous job at the PRZ Next camp this past spring. He has kept his powerful, muscular build and looked to have stretched out a few inches. He has the ideal running back frame for a ball carrier getting ready to hit the high school level. He runs well north and south, and is the guy I’d give the rock to on short yardage, obvious running situations–because he’ll move the chains. He should see a good amount of touches in a talented South Carolina backfield.
The last of Florida Gage brothers to come through the middle school ranks, his older brother Stacy Gage just committed to UCF last week. Sta’Shaun is the thickest of the three at this age and split time between full back, half back and linebacker during the week, but he buttered his bread as a full back. He’s a load to bring down when he gets a running start and runs like a bowling ball down hill.
The kid nicknamed “Blur” came returned to the Future Stars Game event this year with offers from Nebraska and Arkansas State–he’s leaving with offers from those two, plus UAB and Arkansas, after receiving them thsi week. He’s still a smaller back at just 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, but there’s no denying his speed and quickness. Hides behind his linemen well and sets up blocks, before quickly getting vertical.
Another back we saw at a PRZ Next camp this spring and has continued to do very well. First saw him at this event last year and the re-classed running back has not disappointed. A thick back at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he’s starting to show what he can do, in both open field and between tackles. Protects the ball very well and doesn’t make unnecessary movements before hitting the hole.
The first thing I noticed about Menzie on the field was the size of his legs. The workhorse back out of Georgia is already squatting over 400 pounds for reps, as he gets set to enter his freshman year of high school. Pound for pound, he is likely the strongest prospect on this 2027 Georgia Future Star on this eighth-grade team in 2023. He’s already camped at Florida State and Clemson, with more on the horizon.
Highlights
Though he’s from Georgia, he was a late addition to the North Carolina eighth-grade team and looked good immediately. A 5-foot-6, 160-pounder with decent speed and a solid bold. Did well running between the the tackles, specifically up and the A & B gaps, to pick up positive yards. Not going to win any dead sprints with some of the other backs down there, but looks like he can contribute just the same.
The rocked-up running back picked up his second offer in as many years with the Georgia Future Stars program. Last year Arkansas came calling after a good performance at the event, and this year it was UAB that became the latest program to offer for the 5-foot-7, 185-pound strapped back. Not much difference from last year, still the same thick, fast, all-around back that any program in the country would welcome as a freshman.