2024 8th Grade KY Future Stars: Projected O-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 Offensive Line selected for this year's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["317589"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1139779,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-665f8b0175767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- One of the top interior 2028 Offensive Linemen in the country as of June 2024. However, has the ability to play Tackle if need be--but he's an interior guy moving forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The selection this year marks his third year being picked for the Kentucky Future Stars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- In May 2024, broke the <strong><em>high school</em></strong> squat record, despite only being in eighth-grade, by squatting 610 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-665f8b01757fb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1294598"],"_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-665f8b0175856"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- This year marks the second straight selection to the Kentucky Future Stars team, after making it a year ago as a seventh-grader</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Much like Blevins (listed above), all signs point to Kiser playing Guard in his football future as of June 2024. With that said, he has played Offensive Tackle and may end up there against Tennessee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Watching his film, it would be foolish of me to rule out him getting defensive reps for the KY Future Stars. He hustles to the ball and moves pretty well for a big guy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1294702"],"_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-665f8b01758ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- If it's not evident already, the strength of the 2024 Kentucky Future Stars 8th Grade O-Line will be straight up the gut and Goins adds to that</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- Equally as impressive as a Defensive Tackle, Goins is a great option at Center or Guard along the front. He spent this past season at Corbin playing Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">- I love bigs who also wrestle too--and that's the case here. A first-year wrestler, he finished 4th in the heavyweight state tournament in 2023-2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Additional *PROJECTED* Offensive Linemen</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='628633' first='Gannon' last='Mullins'] |</strong> <em>Hazard High School</em> - A three-year selection for the Kentucky Future Stars program. Was a a standout performer back in 2022 as a sixth-grader and has continued to be a solid football player throughout his middle school career. Also a wrestler, he's really muscled up his body in recent years. Look for him to play Guard against Tennessee, but he's also a good Linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='988206' first='Clayton' last='Stratton'] |</strong> <em>Anderson County High School</em> - Stratton returns to the Kentucky Future Star team this year as an eight-grader, after making it last year as a seventh-grader too. Like Blevins above, Stratton doesn't miss much time in the weight room, already deadlifting (hexbar) over 500-pounds. Look for him to play Guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='871296' first='Kareem' last='Davis'] | </strong><em>Bourbon County High School</em> - Sticking with the theme of guys with experience, Davis is also now a three-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars. In each of the previous two years against Tennessee, he earned Top Performer recognition via PRZ Next for his play as a Guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294575' first='Bentley' last='Fox'] |<em> </em></strong><em>Mason County High School</em> - A 2028 prospect with a ton of size, all (self-reported) 6-foot-3 and 340-pounds of Fox returns to the Kentucky Future Stars for a second consecutive year. Fox has primarily played Left Tackle on Offense; Defensively, he's made the most of his size, lining up at Nose or Defensive Tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294590' first='Gage' last='Keeling'] |</strong> <em>Murray High School </em>- Yet another prospect selected for the Kentucky Future Stars for a second time, Keeling's play warrants the selections. He's a broad, thick kid at a self-reported 6-foot and 260-pounds. Look for Murray to play Center in this game, which is a crucial position, given the short amount of time to make sure the exchange is mundane. Also can play D-Tackle too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294666' first='Tripp' last='Setliff'] |</strong> <em>Huntington<em> High School </em> </em>- Quite literally the <em><strong>Center</strong></em>piece of an undefeated Huntingdon Middle School team that won the Cabell County title this past season. Located literally a stone's throw away from West Virginia, Setliff looks like he'll be battling to play Center on this Kentucky Future Stars team for the second consecutive year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270351' first='Ethan' last='Cobb'] | </strong><em>Taylor County High School </em>- I anticipate Cobb being a vital member of this 2024 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team because of the versatility he brings along the offensive line. Out of all the linemen I've gottan a look at on this team, Cobb is the one prospect's whose ability doesn't drop off from playing Tackle, Guard or even Center. Left or Right side. He'll come in handy in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294769' first='Landen' last='McFarland'] | </strong><em>Corbin High School </em> - Joining his fellow Redhound teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1294702' first='Joshua' last='Goins'] (listed above), McFarland out of Corbin will be another interior piece for this team. On paper, he's one of the smaller linemen on the team (assuming 5-foot-9/5-foot-10 and around 220-pounds) but he was a two-way starter this past year and earned a spot on the KY Future Stars roster, for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->