2024 8th Grade KY Future Stars: Projected D-Linemen 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 prospects projected to play Defensive Line selected for this year's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871294"],"_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-6660a91f474e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Big, strong interior Defensive Linemen that was a standout at the PRZ Next Middle School Camp in Tennessee in May 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Returns to the Kentucky Future Stars program for a second consecutive year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Won't shock me to see him get reps on the Offensive Line, either. Really impressive 2028 lineman on both sides of the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["953009"],"_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-6660a91f47537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Has really climbed the ladder over the last two years, in terms of how he compares to other 2028 Kentucky Defensive Linemen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Additionally, has moved out of that "tweener" role and looks to be a full-fledged Defensive End prospect, now up to 6-foot-3 and 215-pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- He'll wrap up his middle school career with a KYMSFA State Championship in the Noevemer and his second Kentucky Future Stars selection in June</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1294694"],"_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-6660a91f47576"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Year in and year out, Kentucky always has tremendous size up front on both sides of the ball. Skidmore is one of the big hosses this year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- An absolute powerhouse of a kid, he's self-listed at 6-foot and 295-pounds with a ton of good muscle mass in that weight</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Imagine a boulder rolling down hill and that's Skidmore firing off the ball, as an interior Defensive Tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952928"],"_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-6660a91f475af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- One of the top Defensive Linemen in Louisville for the class of 2028, will be going from W.E.B. DuBois to Trinity for high school</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Has grown an inch and put on a reported 25 pounds over the last calendar year and now sits at a self-reported 6-foot and 250-pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- An athletic interior kid that doesn't move like he weighs 250-pounds. He's a run-stopper that can also hunt down the Quarterback when looking to pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Additional *PROJECTED* Defensive Linemen</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='857893' first='Isaac' last='Begley']</strong> | <em>Hazard High School</em> - Three-sport athlete (baseball/basketball) that is one of the more athletic linemen on the team. Begley is also a very good Center on the offensive side of the ball and could get reps there, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478102' first='Bode' last='Darland'] </strong>| <em>Woodford County </em>- Like [player_tooltip player_id='953009' first='Dylan' last='Branson'] listed above, Darland was another member of the State Champion Woodford County team this past year. Moved over from LCA this year and has continued to make strides. Look for him to make plays rushing off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299937' first='Julian' last='Smith'] </strong>| <em>Campbellsville High School </em>- A very strong, more compact athlete, self-reported at a 5-foot-10 and 230-pounds as of June 2024. Could also play Offensive Guard in the game against Tennessee. This spring, broke both the Campbellsville Middle School Shotput and Discuss record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423463' first='Blake' last='Taylor']</strong> | <em>Pulaski County</em> - Big, rough and tough interior guy that has helped Northern Pulaski to a crazy stretch of successful football on the pre-high school level. Yet another prospect, I could see playing on both sides of the ball depending on situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299940' first='Landon' last='Huseman']</strong> | <em>Somerset</em> - Huseman returns to the Kentucky Future Stars for a second consecutive year. Also a Regional Player of the Year Nominee in 2023, he has played Linebacker in the past. Could be an interesting chess piece for Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299959' first='Kegan' last='Cabbell'] </strong>| <em>Jeffersonville High School</em> - A three-time Kentucky Future Stars selection, Cabbell is a load on the interior defensive line as a Defensive Tackle. Lists himself at 6-foot and 270-pounds. If he's in one A-Gap and [player_tooltip player_id='1294694' first='Tatyn' last='Skidmore'] (listed above) is in the other A-Gap, all daylight will blocked out by the mass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299967' first='Caleb' last='Lovely']</strong> | <em>Metcalfe County </em>- To my knowledge, I have not seen Lovely play on film or in person. That said, he was a Regional Player of the Year nominee this past season. He's self-listed at 6-foot-2, 250-pounds and looks to carry his weight well-proportioned in pictures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vashawn Searight</strong> | <em>Madison</em> - Searight is a prospect I've only seen very few clips of, but it's clear to see he's an explosive athlete. Can play either Defensive End or Defensive Tackle at this point. Also does well in track and field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294769' first='Landen' last='McFarland']</strong> | <em>Corbin</em> - After reviewing this whole team again, he ultimately may end up as an interior Offensive Lineman. However, he wouldn't be wasted on the defensive line, either. He's the smallest of the linemen, listed at 5-foot-9 and 220-pounds, but he wouldn't be on this team if he didn't have ability to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299978' first='Daylon' last='Cox'] |</strong> <em>North Hardin High School</em> - Cox was a new prospect to me when the roster dropped, but I'm glad I saw him. A bit of a tweener prospect, self-listed at 6-foot and 220-pounds. Has the quickness and agility of an Edge rusher, but enough mass to play in the trenches. I have a sneaky suspicion he'll make a significant play or two against Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294779' first='Gabriel' last='Jackson'] |</strong> <em>Unknown High School - </em>I haven't seen Jackson play in over a year, but he returns for another run on the Kentucky Future Stars team. He's a wide load in the middle, who is well over the 300-pound mark. Look for him to stuff up the middle on short yardage or goal line situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->