Future Stars Game: Georgia/S. Carolina 8th Grade O-Line Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the weather was less than cooperative, the Future Stars event kicked off today in Savannah, Georgia. With 400+ athletes staying on the campus of Savannah State University, it was time to knock the rust off and get after it with the first day of practices. Between heavy periods of rain and some insane wind, there was work being put it on the field. While it was a heavy install day, and nearly every team just practiced in helmets, there were certainly some standouts on the field. Here's a look at some of the Offensive Linemen that stood out today from Team Georgia and Team South Carolina on the eighth-grade level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["637592"],"_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":"Lined up at right tackle for nearly pretty much every snap during the morning practice on day one. The first practice out of the gate is usually a little sloppy and full of installationu002du002das this one was, at times. However, the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder showed a lot of good footwork. The practice was only in helmets, but it had it's fair share of semi-live action and he did well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["378368"],"_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":"I typically take the sizes listed on social media or on rosters with a grain of salt, but Mallard is every bit of the 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds he's listed at. He lined up at Left Tackle throughout the morning session he had some flashes of really good play. Has grown significantly from last year and has a really good offensive lineman frame with long legs. Reminds me a lot of future GA Future Star and recent Kansas City Chief third-round pick, Wanya Morris.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["303323"],"_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":"Harvey lined up at Guard, alongside [player_tooltip player_id='378368' first='Kyson' last='Mallard'], on the left side of the offensive line. There's a lot of muscle on his frame and his footwork is on par too. Plays with a strong punch and is more than athletic enough to climb the ladder to the next level. I can't see many interior Defensive Tackles winning reps against Harvey at this level. Georgia showed me, they have a very solid left side up front.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["862976"],"_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":"Looking back at my notes, Watkins was a member of the 7th grade South Carolina Future Stars Team a year ago but I wouldn't have had any ideau002du002dbecause he looks like a completely different player. On top of growing considerably taller, he has really transformed his body and looks like ready to take the step to high school. The South Carolina Future Stars, like Georgia, spent nearly the entire practice installing. That said, I loved his footwork and ability to pull. Watkins has really improved from last year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["863025"],"_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":"I've seen Conyers play a few times in the last calendar year, and this is easily the best he's looked on the field. He's a bigger kid at 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds, but looked much more athletic/less lethargic on the field today as compared to the past. Notably, I was very impressed to see the big man pull, bend and get up to the next level. Took all his snaps as an offensive tackle today and things could totally change once he the pads come on, but he looked to be hitting his stride today.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648a2549d17c6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Georgia offensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='863048' first='Brody' last='Stephens']</strong> at Center and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722540' first='Blake' last='Hilton']</strong> at Right Guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the the offensive line units I got to check out today, Georgia looked the most buttoned up. <strong>Stephens</strong> had some good moments at Center--and will likely have more--but the weather was a beast at practice. He snapped a wet ball the entire time and there were some bad snaps, but that's to be expected. Between new cadences, rough weather and nerves, there's only room to improve. His first step after the snap was direct and firm at times, which shows me he can do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hilton</strong> came in to camp as a kid that really impressed during the tryouts this past spring. He impressed enough to earn a spot on the 2027 National Watchlist, and watching him today, I could easily see why. On certain reps he was overwhelming at Right Guard, using all of his 6-foot-2 and 340-pound frame to open up lanes for his running backs. Then, on other reps, he seemed a step slow and labored execute down blocks, leaving a gap for defensive linemen to shoot through. However, he has all the makings of a player that will only get better when the pads get on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->