Future Stars Game: 2028 Prospects That Caught My Eye – Finale
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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…
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Continue ReadingWhile 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.
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. Last week, we looked at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the 2028 prospects that caught my eye. Today, I’m emptying the notebook and laying out Part 4, the finale.
Took reps at defensive end and offensive tackle during the week for the Georgia Future Stars. With his size, length, frame and feet–I can see a bright future for him at offensive tackle.
This kid showed me a lot of guts and toughness, quarterbacking a seventh-grade South Carolina Future Stars team that was up against two very tough teams in North Carolina and Georgia. Despite coming up on the short end of both games, D’Water hung in there and made some nice down-field throws. If he can get taller, there’s something to this kid.
We’ve seen Smith a few times between PRZ Next camps and other events. Did a nice job at outside linebacker for the Georgia Future Stars. Ran well and looked natural in pass drops. Also showed off leadership ability.
Highlights
Florida Future Stars defensive back that showed off some really good skills in the secondary. He’s listed on the roster at 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds. Showed the ability to cover ground quickly and blanket the deep third as a free safety
Loved him during the practices from the jump. Came complete with some good size and quickness on the interior. Did a really nice job hand fighting in the trenches keeping a strong foothold on his gap. If he continues to grow and improve his strength, he could be a really good defensive tackle moving forward and into high school.
Certainly on the smaller side right now, but Hamilton showed flashes as part of the North Carolina Future Stars. A nice option at running back, wide receiver or defensive back at this point.
As usual the kicker doesn’t get the love (or the hate) until the situation calls for it. Delgado was a consistent plus for North Carolina all week long on the seventh-grade Future Stars team. The 2028 North Carolina squad was easily the best of the three, that they brought to the event.
Flat out unblockable during practice for the Georgia Future Stars, and then carried it into the games. Quick hands and really athletic for playing on the interior defensive line. Listed on the roster at 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds, but looks a bit bigger to me.
There are a million things going on all at once during these events and it took some jogging of my memory to put it all together, but Genesis Allen impressed me a ton during practice. A good-looking tweener right now that doesn’t have the length that the “ideal” defensive end has, but is quick and big enough to bang on the interior defensive line. Played offensive line too, for the North Carolina Future Stars team. Bright future.
Highlights
From early on in the practices leading up to the games, you could see a natural chemistry form between Willingham and eventual-MVP quarterback Cannon Robinson. Willingham made the team as a defensive back but eventually started as a wide receiver. He was kept out of the endzone in the two games, but there’s no denying his ability as an ATH.
While the South Carolina seventh-grade Future Stars may have had its fair share of challenges, Kiyan Jones wearing #99 at right tackle was a cornerstone on the offensive line. It was our third time seeing him in the last calendar year, including at our own PRZ Next camp this past winter, and he did a good job keeping pressure at bay.
Played with ice in his veins the entire week. Made a number of field goals and extra points in both games, for a high-powered Georgia Future Stars seventh-grade team. However, n0 kick was bigger than the game-winning field goal against Florida, as the last second ticked off the clock. Impressive performance by a kicker of any age, let alone only a seventh grader.
Really athletic kid, and deep ball threat on the outside for the North Carolina Future Stars team on the seventh-grade level. One of the bigger skill guys at 5-foot-10 and 140 pounds on the outside. Part of that talented Triad Ducks program that has had a ton of success on the youth level over the last couple years. Big time potential to become one of the best wideouts. or even athlete’s, in the state.
Highlights
First saw him take practice reps as a running back and thought there could be something to him. Then later during a defensive period of practice, I saw him lined up as a middle linebacker and the light bulb went off. He’s put together very well and can lay the wood on inside runs or receivers coming across the middle.
Highlights
Recently made the move to North Carolina from Jenks, Oklahoma–a program in the Sooner State that is synonymous with winning. Harrigill is a tall, long athletic kid that played outside linebacker but I could also see moving to safety if he picks up his speed. A competitive kid that did some good things during practice and has the potential to become a skilled player over the next four/five years.
McMullen gives up a ton of size at just 5-foot-2 and 120 pounds, but he showed flashes of good ability as a running back. While he wasn’t afraid to bust it up the middle, he was much better in space, where he could use his wiggle to make guys miss.
Highlights
Heard him called anything from Mighty Mouse to Bob Sanders (former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro) during the week and the nicknames fit him perfectly. Just 5-foot-4 and 145 pounds, he was on the roster as a running back but made the most noise as a safety. Equal part physical and ball hawk. Plays fearlessly and much bigger than his size would indicate
I’m not sure if he wrestles, but my goodness, he looks like he could be a phenomenal wrestler. He’s another shorter kid at just 5-foot-3 but he has a great build for this age and only weighing 135 pounds, too. Quick and strong, he did a commendable job as a corner during practices. Also took reps at running back, but he’s a sure-tackler and looks like a defensive player.
A kid you can take one look at and know he can play some ball. Not an ounce of fat on him and well-defined muscle already. Decent length as a wide receiver and a defensive back. Hands are big and caught a lot of passes during practice. From my memory didn’t do anything to stand out in the game(s), but there is a future here.
No official stats were kept, but I have to imagine Sims was in on double digit tackles in both the games for the Georgia Future Stars. Good, thick build on him and looked like a middle linebacker, but was playing Mike or Will depending on formation strength. Eagerly anticipating seeing what another year of growth and maturation looks like on his frame.
Additional 2028 Standouts – All Earned PRZ Next Profiles
Dormarius Evans | Offensive Line | Georgia – Started at right guard and was part of a really good core group of Georgia Future Stars seventh grade offensive linemen. Thick lower half, built much like fellow starters, Christian Williams and Jeremiah Magee.
Eliyus Walls | Linebacker | North Carolina – With weather issues, 6 teams practicing at once and multiple athletes showing up at various times for the North Carolina Future Stars, it was fairly difficult to decipher who was who–and admittedly I did not have Walls in my notes. However, come game time he was making some huge hits that you could hear from yards away.
Caleb Ivey | Defensive Back | Georgia – On top of really good length at 5-foot-10 and 130 pounds, Ivey is the type of player that average players hate to practice against. Though he wasn’t a starter, he caught my eye during his insane effort during special teams. As a gunner on the “Scout Team” against the first team punt return, I watched him beat the starters on 4-out-of-5 reps. Also picked off a pass against South Carolina.
Jolsten Flowers | Defensive Line | South Carolina – For the second year in a row, as he played as a sixth-grader as well, Flowers was a positive force on the interior defensive line for the Palmetto State. Looked to have trimmed a little baby fat and is still decently agile
Colby Jacobs | Offensive Line | Georgia – Despite being in the 5-foot-10, 180-pound range, Jacobs was the smallest starting offensive linemen for the seventh-grade Georgia Future Stars. I don’t recall seeing too many bad snaps at all. Didn’t say much at all, just a dependable guy up front with a quick first step and punch. Consistently did his job.
Colin Threadgill | Defensive Back | North Carolina – Big take away here is the length and potential to become a scary free safety. Listed at 6-foot and 135 pounds right now and I think that’s pretty accurate. Covered a ton of ground in the deep secondary and I like the trajectory he’s on.
A Few More 2028 Athletes I’m Working On Confirming Things With
S. Carver | Offensive Line | South Carolina
J. Long | Wide Receiver | Florida
X. Chew | Athlete | South Carolina
A. Francis | Athlete | North Carolina
D. Arrington | Linebacker | South Carolina
M. Smith | Wide Receiver | Florida
B. Platts | Defensive Back | South Carolina
D. Tudela | Safety | Florida
T. Gibson | Athlete | South Carolina
K. Coleman | Defensive Line | Florida
J. Poole | Linebacker | North Carolina
K. Belamore | Linebacker | Florida