UA Next 8th Grade All-American Game: Maryland Selections

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maryland has always been a state that has had underrated football talent, but these five stars have stood out above the rest, and for good reason. All five earned their invitation to the event, and moving forward these future stars will look to make an impact on Friday, and eventually Saturday nights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593488"],"_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-677eb0b6754cf"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 WR/CB [player_tooltip player_id='1593488' first='Amir' last='Wright'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, suiting up for Team Icon. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Standing at 5'9 and 160 pounds, Wright has the build to be a perfect slot WR/CB at the next level. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>But size isn't the only reason Wright will dominate in the slot, as his combination of shiftiness, and a quick release from the line lead him to create space in the open field as a Wide Out, or be able to stick with his man as a Corner. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1594475"],"_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-677eb0b675532"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1594475' first='Jalen' last='Wallace'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Watching his tape, it is no surprise why Wallace was invited to the All- American game, as his skill set makes him a true shut down corner. Wallace is a boundary corner at heart, typically lining up and completely nullifying the opposition X receiver. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wallace's best skill set is how he sees the game, being able to read the QB's eyes, and anticipate where the throw is going before he even starts his wind up. Combine that with his athletic prowess, and Wallace often finds himself in the action,  either knocking the pass down or catching it himself.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593490"],"_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-677eb0b67557f"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 RB Coleman-Bennett was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coleman-Bennett is your prototypical modern day running back, combining speed and catching ability to make an impact on the ground and through the air. Coleman-Bennett's skill set earned him an invite to play for Team Icon, and even led to him scoring a TD in the All-American game. And colleges are beginning to take notice, as Syracuse University has already offered the 8th grade superstar.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Speed isn't his only threat as a runner, as Coleman-Bennett blends it with his great vision as a runner, able to find and hit the open hole, breaking off chunk runs with ease.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593511"],"_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-677eb0b6755c7"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 DB Kamari Jefferson was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Unstoppable. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jefferson is a perfect blend of raw athleticism and technical ability, and that combination makes him a deadly threat. In fact, hometown squad The University of Maryland has recognized Jefferson's talent, already offering him a scholarship.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Not only does he showcase great skill in reading and anticipating the QB, but Jefferson also is a physical and fast corner, being able to drop back and float in zone coverage, but also get on the line and jam receivers in Press or Man Coverage. This blend of talent profiles him as a perfect No.1 Corner, a skill that is becoming increasingly rare. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["965208"],"_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-677eb0b675610"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='965208' first='Tristen' last='Wells'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Unstoppable. Wells played for the Maryland Heat in 2024, along with with teammates Kamari Jefferson and [player_tooltip player_id='1594475' first='Jalen' last='Wallace'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sometimes players are referred to as a "tweener", which is short for in betweener. While that can sometimes be used negatively, in this case that could not be further from the truth. Wells' skill set screams cover corner, showcasing great speed and ability to break on the ball, but his size makes him also tempting to put on the boundary, and finally his tackling ability also profiles him as a pretty good safety. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When looking at comparable players for Wells, former Alabama athlete and current Detroit Lion, Brian Branch makes a lot of sense. While in Tuscaloosa, Branch lined up at all three of the positions I previously mentioned, and that nomad playing style worked perfectly for him. I think that type of jack of all trades approach is what fits Wells best, but he has the ability to play all three to an elite level. Also, don't sleep on his ability as a WR on the offensive side of the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->