2024 8th Grade GA Future Stars: Defensive Line Selection Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel as if I say this every year, but there are some truly special eighth-grade athletes on this Georgia Future Stars team. At nearly every position, there is at least one prospect that I can truthfully say, I feel projects to the FBS level--and the defensive line unit is no different. From the big, space-eaters in the middle of the defensive line, to the NASCAR speed-rushing defensive ends, this 2024 8th grade Georgia Future Stars team is deep and talented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["410826"],"_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":"There's not much [player_tooltip player_id='410826' first='Kylen' last='Pope'] hasn't accomplished on the pre-high school level during his time in middle school. From standing out at the Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp in Georgia as a seventh-grader, to earning multiple B2C awards, winning a GMSAA title and a laundry list of other accomplishmentsu002du002dhe's been special. Fittingly enough, he'll wrap up his middle school career with the Georgia Future Stars program this upcoming June. He's been a selection for the prestigious team each year he's been in middle school and has been an absolute gem each time. He's destined for very big things and I'm excited to see him play one more time before his career takes off on the high school level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["651637"],"_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":"It's crazy to say this, but when I first saw “Big Sam” on film last year as a seventh-grader, it was only because I was searching for the film of a teammate at Central Middle School ([player_tooltip player_id='950879' first='Jacez' last='Walton']). When I saw the Big, 6-foot-4, 260-pound two-way lineman, my jaw hit the floor. While he stands out on both sides of the ball, the more I have watched him develop over the last two seasons, he looks like a no-brainer as a defensive lineman to me. On film he has played both defensive end and defensive tackle, showing great versatility for a big guy. In previous years on this Georgia Future Stars eighth grade team, there have been countless standout defensive linemen that have gone to to big careers post high schoolu002du002dand Walker looks destined to put his name on the list. I project him to play defensive tackle because of the hulking size he already has...and because of the potential he has. He has put in noticeable work in the weight room as well, already bench pressing 285-pounds and power cleaning 240 pounds. Playing in simple, [player_tooltip player_id='651637' first='Sam' last='Walker'] is a kid I'm getting on campus with very quickly.","_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":"If you look at the pre-high school career of defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='656532' first='Christian' last='Williams'], there's not much this kid from North Cobb hasn't done. From team honors such as a GMSAA championship this past season, to individual honors and MVP awards at nearly every event in the country, including our own Prep Redzone Next middle school camp in Atlanta. Williams was selected for the Georgia Future Stars team last year as a seventh-grader and has been selected to the team again this year, as an eighth-grader. Now up to 6-foot and 280-pounds, with a large, powerful, lower half, he has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defensive tackles in the country. While it's proven there haven't been many capable of slowing him down as a defensive tackle, Williams continues to diversify his game and has been working hard on his skills as an offensive lineman, too. He has worked hard in recent months on the offensive side of the ball and is starting to look the part as a center, too. Lastly, you won't find a better representation of what a well-rounded student-athlete should act like. A National Honor Society member, he also volunteers his time to help others and still finds time to dominate in the trenches. Long after his football career comes to an end, [player_tooltip player_id='656532' first='Christian' last='Williams'] is going to be a positive influence on the world.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616db226f0c1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Projected Defensive Linemen</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='266456' first='Kingston' last='Brown']</strong> - Brown has attended multiple Prep Redzone Next Middle School camps during his middle school career, and watching the glow up has been fun to see. He has blossomed and bulked up to a good-looking 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, but his still kept his quick feet. He plays fast for an interior defensive lineman, to the point where he can bump out to defensive end in short yardage situations where even wider bodies are needed at tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892057' first='Anthony' last='Castoreno']</strong> - All Castoreno does is win. The tweener defensive end/defensive tackle had a great showing at the Prep Red Zone Next Middle School camp last spring and then followed it up with a standout performance on last year's 7th Grade Georgia Future Stars. He continued to work and achieve success, after helping North Cobb to a Georgia Middle School Athletic Association (GMSAA) 8th grade championship this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234655' first='Tyler' last='O'Neal'] </strong>- O'Neal is a rough and tough interior defensive lineman at 5-foot-11 and 240-pounds, that has the strength of a prospect significantly bigger than that. The Bonaire Middle School prospect is a weight room warrior and is already deadlifting over 400 pounds and his squat isn't too far behind that. Look for the powerhouse tackle to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1020955' first='Lucas' last='Rosser'] - </strong>Rosser is a bit of a tweener at 6-foot and 220-pounds right now, meaning he projects somewhere between defensive tackle or defensive end. He earned B2C Lineman of the Year honors as a 7th grader and was back for another productive and havoc-causing season this past year. This is first go around with the Georgia Future Stars and he should wake up a lot of people with his motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1235266' first='Micelle' last='Smith']</strong> - Yet another prospect with some potential off a talented Dutchtown team this past season. Smith is a long, athletic defensive end at 5-foot-11 and 173-pounds that relies on athleticism, speed and finesse to beat offensive tackles that are typically slow-footed. Development will be key over the next four years to see if he stays as a defensive end and how far his talents take him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242079' first='Alexander' last='Williams'] </strong>- The Flat Rock Middle School product offers another versatile body that can play either defensive end or defensive tackle if asked, with a lean towards being a defensive end. At the West Atlanta Future Stars tryout, he measured in at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, while running a 5.33 in the forty. He has a thick lower body, specifically in the calf/ankles, which leads me to believe he'll likely continue to fill out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->