Seven 2028 Stock Risers From Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars

During the Tennessee/Kentucky Future Stars Game week, the grand finale of it all was the 8th grade game (class of 2028). While Kentucky pulled away and won fairly convincingly, there were players on both teams that opened my eyes a little wider, as to how good they really are. Below are seven guys that certainly rose their stock in my eyes, during the game.    Any time Kentucky needed a spark in its victory over Tennessee, specifically from the second quarter one, Boyd was there to answer the call. Alongside Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='871291' first='Avery' last='Thompson']--who went off in his own right--Boyd captured the Co-Offensive MVP award. The duo capturing the Co-Offensive MVP award, was a first in the game's 15-year history. Boyd had a number of big runs, combing speed and power--personifying what his 5-foot-5, 150-pound frame brings to the table.     On a day when Kentucky had answers for a lot of things Tennessee was trying to do (on both sides of the ball), one thing they seemingly didn't have an answer for was [player_tooltip player_id='906095' first='Beckham' last='Stokes'] on the outside as a Wide Receiver. He was the leading receiver in the game for Tennessee, making the majority of the catches in the boundary, toe-tapping the sidelines--a portion of the field usually dominated by bigger Wide Receivers. Stokes played with a bit of swag and let Kentucky know he was going to be a thorn in their side all game long, each time he made a grab.      A bit of an asterisk here, because I knew the type of athlete Owensboro's [player_tooltip player_id='1288478' first='Maddox' last='Hawkins'] is--but seeing it live (instead of on film) highlighted the skill set he has and the world of potential he has. The 6-foot-2, 183-pound Hawkins played a little bit of everything in the game, which is why I have him listed as an Athlete in this 2028 class. He's physically gifted and looks the part of a future major prospect. Coming into the game if I had to lean one way, it was towards his play as an Outside Linebacker. However, after seeing him run routes and make a beautiful catch for a touchdown late in the game, he could be a very nice Tight End or big-body Wide Receiver.     Despite taking an L to Kentucky, Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='424660' first='Hank' last='DeGennaro'] was one of several weapons on the outside that had a good day. I've thought highly of DeGennaro for some time but seeing him play live again was a treat and he surpassed some expectations. After recently receiving his first offer from Miami (OH), DeGennaro went out like he had something to prove (which all players at this level do) and notched a nice receiving touchdown in the game against Kentucky. Also had another grab or two (no official stats were kept) in the losing effort.     I always say that having a good kicker is like having good insurance: you don't know how important and valuable they are, until you need it. Doubling down on that, in any All-Star or Showcase game, the kickers are usually the least paid attention to athletes in the event, considering all the talent on the field. Well, [player_tooltip player_id='1281024' first='Julian' last='Carroll'] bucked that trend with his performance against Tennessee. Coaches told me before the game to pay attention to him and after taking a look at him in warmups, I could see why. At 6-foot-1 and 120-pounds with mile-long legs, the kid they call “Sticks” was impressive. After missing his first extra point (although he kicked it a country mile), he settled in and was perfect from then on out on PATs. Also drive the ball deep on kickoffs, even forcing two touchbacks.     The Offensive MVP of the 8th grade Tennessee Future Stars team in a losing effort, Strang shouldered the load at the Quarterback position for the Volunteer State. What didn't surprise me was his height, as he is every bit of the 6-foot-4 height he's listed at. What did surprise me was just how athletic of a kid he is. Based off seeing him live in previous years and somewhat limited film, I had questions about his mobility because of his giraffe-like build, but I quickly found out how well he could move around. Whether he was under pressure from Kentucky or rolling out on designed plays, he was impressive.     Ahead of the tilt with the Kentucky Future Stars, I had Brown listed as a Wide Receiver after watching his highlights from Houston County's championship-winning season in 2023. To be fair, I also noted that he played Outside Linebacker and that he brought a sense of physicality to both positions--but I liked what he brought to the table as a Tight End for Tennessee. From early on in the game, he made a noticeable impact as blocker, sealing off Linebackers hope to scrape back to make a play on the ball. Kentucky had a very tough, strong corps of LB's and Brown matched the physicality. In addition to springing more than a few big runs, he also hauled in a few receptions.

During the Tennessee/Kentucky Future Stars Game week, the grand finale of it all was the 8th grade game (class of 2028). While Kentucky pulled away and won fairly convincingly, there were players on both teams that opened my eyes a little wider, as to how good they really are. Below are seven guys that certainly rose their stock in my eyes, during the game.