2024 8th Grade KY Future Stars: Linebacker Selection Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kentucky Future Stars took two out of three from the Tennessee Future Stars last June, with the only Bluegrass State team coming up short was the seventh-graders. Those seventh-graders are now eighth-graders (class of 2028) and all of Big Blue Nation is eagerly looking forward to the 15th annual tilt. With the game on Kentucky soil this year, it should be sure to surpass the hype surrounding the contest. Here's a look at the 8th grade Linebackers selected for this year's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288472"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66578c17814d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Phenomenal physique for a Linebacker/Running Back on this level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Played Running Back and was on the Defensive Line this yeat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Plays with that hunting dog mentality, where he's going to do whatever it takes to get where he needs to go</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Versatile player, but I think he'll be at Mike Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288478"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66578c1781570"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- A long, athletic frame that should have talent evaluators drooling. Lists himself at 6-foot-2 and 183-pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Is listed as an Athlete because he can play a ton of different positions on both sides of the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Truth be told, based off film, I think he could become a big time Tight End prospect in the future</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Understanding the size and strength of this team, Hawkins looks like a nice fit at Will Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871298"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66578c17815dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Will be suiting up for the Kentucky Future Stars for the second straight year, after making the seventh-grade team a year ago</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Was a key member of the 2023 KYMSFA 8th Grade Division 2 State Championship Paducah team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Starred on both sides of the ball (RB/LB) and was named a Regional Player of the Year nominee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Plays Outside Linebacker with outstanding speed, expect him as a Sam</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288503"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66584fa135b26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Yet another muscled up Linebacker on this team, who clearly doesn't miss a day in the weightroom</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of five returning prospects at the Linebacker position, who made the Kentucky Future Stars last year as a seventh-grader</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Offensively he played Running Back this year, but clearly has that kill switch on the defensive side of the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- He looks more like a Defensive End to me than a Linebacker with longer arms and his good closing speed in short proximity, but look for him to play Middle Linebacker against Tennessee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288506"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6658816e6c749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- One of three Linebackers on this 2024 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team, that were not on the team a year ago</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going with the common theme of strength here, [player_tooltip player_id='1257178' first='Whitson' last=''] is another 'backer that makes every rep count in the weight room</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='1257178' first='Whitson' last=''] was a KYMSFA All-Star this past season and was a Regional Player of the Year nominee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Look for him to play Middle Linebacker in this game. In his first year wrestling, he placed 3rd in the state this year. Good wrestlers = good tacklers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Additional Linebackers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='871295' first='Malachi' last='Smith'] | Linebacker | </strong><em>South Laurel</em> - A returner from last year's seventh-grade team, [player_tooltip player_id='871295' first='Malachi' last='Smith'] made a big impression in last year's game and was named one of the defensive standouts in the game for the Kentucky Future Stars. Was a factor as a Running Back and Outside Linebacker this past season and was named a Regional Player of the Year nominee this past season. Plays with great speed and while he doesn't have the size of some of the other Linebackers on this roster, his speed checks out on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1289525' first='Mika' last='Smith'] | Linebacker | </strong><em>South Laurel</em> - Exactly like [player_tooltip player_id='871295' first='Malachi' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1289525' first='Mika' last='Smith'] is another returner to the Kentucky Future Stars program from last year's seventh-grade team. Also like his brother, he was a 2023 Regional Player of the Year nominee for his season with the South Laurel Cardinals. On film he doesn't appear to be as quick, but there's considerable strength and power when he gets going at full speed. Look for him to get reps as a Mike and at Will, depending on in-game situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1289529' first='Te'Are' last='Wilson'] | Linebacker | </strong><em>Unknown</em> - I haven't seen Wilson play in two years, but it doesn't shock me to see him on this Kentucky Future Stars team again. Two years ago, as a sixth-grader, he was a defensive standout in this game against Tennessee. Last year, he was selected for the squad but ultimately wasn't on the final roster. Wilson will bring his final middle school season to a close in the same way he brought his first middle school season to a close, the annual tilt against Tennessee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->