2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 7th Grade Running Back Selections

This year's Kentucky Future Stars saw over 400 athletes show up in four different areas around the state, in an effort to be selected for the #Brotherhood of the program. When the smoke settled, there were five (5) 7th grade (class of 2030) Running Backs selected to the prestigious team. The seventh-grade game against Tennessee has been split over the last four years, which each side of the border war winning two games. This year's KY group will aim to break the recent stalemate. Without a further adieu, here are the five Runnning Backs selected.    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was the Offensive MVP in last year's Future Stars Game</li> </ul>   A year ago, on the sixth-grade level, Warner came home away with the Offensive MVP but Tennessee won the game 14-12. In that game last year, Warner was the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/kentucky-future-stars-6th-grade-2030-offensive-standouts/">main offensive weapon </a>for Kentucky as he ran over, through and around Tennessee like clockwork. This past season. Warner had another stellar year, now suiting up for JCTMS, and was selected for the Region 2 team in the KYMSFA BOTR. During the BOTR weekend tournament, Warner was again elite and was an obvious standout on the tournament-champion Region 2 team. I fully expect another potential MVP performance out of the talented back.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was a Region 4 selection for the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in March 2025</li> </ul>   During the 2024 football season, the Corbin 8th graders <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/corbin-redhounds-reloading-with-deep-2029-class/">won the KYMSFA Division 2 State Championship</a>; While the Corbin 7th graders didn't win it all, they still made it Region 3 Championship game before falling to eventual State Champions--Northern Pulaski. A large part of the success on the seventh-grade level came via [player_tooltip player_id='1672966' first='Jake' last='Salmons']. Salmons was named a KYMSFA Honorable Mention Regional POY nominee for his efforts and was also selected for the Region 4 team in the KYMSFA BOTR. During the BOTR weekend tournament, I got a chance to see him score three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in Region 4's victory over Region 3 in the consolation game.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Plays both Middle School & Travel Ball</li> </ul>   Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1672789' first='Karsen' last='Gosser'] is a new name to me out of the Garrard program, that has a number of impressive 2029 and 2030 prospects this past season. In addition to suiting up for Garrard, Gosser also played travel ball with the KY Prime program. I've only see a few clips of Gosser from the 2024-2025 season, but the immediate take away is that he appears to have pretty good speed out of the backfield. While not as physically developed (at this point) as some of the other RBs in this write up, his speed checks out. I look forward to getting a closer look at him during the Future Stars event in June.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>four-sport athlete</li> </ul>   As I noted in the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/kentucky-future-stars-6th-grade-2030-offensive-standouts/">Top Performer article</a> following last year's sixth-grade game, Whisenant was the first prospect I noticed on the field for the Kentucky Future Stars. The kid played with an energy and bounce in his step that was second to none--probably why he recorded 40 touchdowns during the 2023 regular season. Following another outstanding football season that culminated in an appearance in the EKMC A-Team Championship Game, the talented athlete then went on to win a Basketball championship during the winter. He is currently playing Baseball and running Track for the first time, with a PR of 12.45 in the 100m.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport athlete</li> </ul>   Like [player_tooltip player_id='1672789' first='Karsen' last='Gosser'] listed above, this is the first time I'm learning about [player_tooltip player_id='1672803' first='Payton' last='Rafter']. I've seen a handful of clips from this season and I really like what I see in terms of his ability to cut suddenly. He's a one-cut-and go type of Running Back, with quick feet that can make defenders miss. Impressive change of direction skill and moves with low center of gravity. His speed is certainly a plus at this point, as is his overall athleticism. Rafter is also a standout on the baseball diamond and plays travel ball at a high level. He's another I plan on watching closely in June, as I get my first look at him playing live.

This year's Kentucky Future Stars saw over 400 athletes show up in four different areas around the state, in an effort to be selected for the #Brotherhood of the program. When the smoke settled, there were five (5) 7th grade (class of 2030) Running Backs selected to the prestigious team. The seventh-grade game against Tennessee has been split over the last four years, which each side of the border war winning two games. This year's KY group will aim to break the recent stalemate. Without a further adieu, here are the five Runnning Backs selected.