2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 8th Grade Linebacker Selections

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 eight (8) 8th grade (class of 2029) Linebackers selected to the prestigious team. This year's 2029 group will attempt to beat Tennessee for the fourth straight year, on the eighth-grade level. Without a further adieu, here are the eight prospects selected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1306563"],"_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-681a28e4bf9e1"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Was the Defensive MVP in last year's Future Stars Game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of 2029 Kentucky prospects needed literally every second of last June's Future Stars Game against Tennessee, as they eked out a victory with a TD as the clock struck 0:00. One of the brightest stars that day was [player_tooltip player_id='1660082' first='Darius' last='Ridener'], who earned Defensive MVP of the game with an outstanding day at Linebacker. The athletic Linebacker/Running Back combo has only upped his stock since that game. For this efforts during the 2024-2025 season, he earned a KYMSFA Division 2 Honorable Mention Regional player of the Year nod nod and a selection to the Region 4 team in the Battle of Regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["953574"],"_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-681a28e4bfa71"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of four Pikeville Panthers 8th graders selected for this year's Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at [player_tooltip player_id='953574' first='Colin' last='Wright'], if someone didn't know better, he could easily be mistaken for a high school senior. He was physically impressive two years ago as a member of the Kentucky Future Stars, and following a reclass year he looks even better. At 6-foot and 185-muscular-pounds, Wright had a strong year at both Running Back and Linebacker for the Panthers during their 2024 KYMSFA 8th Grade Division 3 State Championship run. For his contributions, he was a KYMSFA Division 3 Honorable Mention Regional POY Nominee this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668607"],"_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-681a28e4bfaf4"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He is the son of UK Football alumn Rick Abren</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I make no bones about the fact, that I am a very firm believer in genetics being more than half the battle when it comes to projecting the success of a middle school football prospect. In the case of [player_tooltip player_id='1668607' first='Broderick' last='Abren'], W.E.B. DuBois Academy's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, the future looks very bright. As noted above, his Father played at Kentucky in the early 2000s after a stellar high school career and it looks like the the apple didn't fall far from the tree. The 2029 prospect has a strong, muscular frame and is really starting to take off athletically. For proof of this, he has PR'd in four different track and field events since February, highlighted by a 11.92 in the 100m and an 18' 1.5" in the Long Jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136988"],"_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-681a28e4bfb69"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is now a three-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of two prospects from the Lyndon Lightning selected for this year's Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the last three seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='1136988' first='Eric' last='Forney Jr.'] has been one of the most consistent defensive players in the talent-rich Greater Louisville Youth Football Association. Each of his previous three standout seasons, have resulted in a selection to the Kentucky Future Stars--the only Linebacker on this year's team who can say that. Forney Jr. will be headed to Kentucky Country Day for high school and the Bearcats are getting a fast, aggressive Linebacker. In March 2025, Forney Jr. was a standout on the Region 2 squad in the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303884"],"_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-681a28e4bfbfb"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will be attending Doss High School for High School</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back for his second stint with the Kentucky Future Stars, [player_tooltip player_id='1303884' first='Harley' last='Gough'] has taken some big strides on the football field from last year to this year. A big, thick Middle Linebacker-type, Gough has grown two inches and has replaced some of the bad weight from a year ago--with muscle. He looks significantly leaner right now, as oppose to this time last year--however, his weight is nearly identical. Just like his [player_tooltip player_id='1136988' first='Eric' last='Forney Jr.'] listed above, Gough was an obvious standout on the Region 2 squad in the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in March 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668609"],"_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-681a28e4bfc69"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of two prospects from the Bate Middle School selected for this year's Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars is comprised of eight (8) Linebackers and is split down the middle with four (4) returners and four (4) first-time selections. One of those first-timers is [player_tooltip player_id='1668609' first='Braiden' last='Ford'] out of Bate Middle School. I don't have exact measurements for Ford, however, while he doesn't appear to have the height of some of the other LBs that were selected, his muscle mass and athleticism check certainly check the box for me. While his regular season and KY Future Stars teammate Jayvian Meaux was rightfully the feature RB on offense, Ford was also used in a number of formations because of his ability to move in space. Focusing on strictly defense, he plays fearlessly and he has the build and close-proximity quickness to be a real problem for slower O-Linemen to get a hat on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665532"],"_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-681a28e4bfcd5"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of two prospects from Taylor County selected for this year's Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After having the pleasure of watching Vaughn play in March 2025 at the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions, seeing him earn this selection is not surprising. He was one of the top players on the Region 1 team and should bring some versatility to the defensive side of the ball for the KY Future Stars. He's listed at 6-foot and 190-pounds, which is excellent size for a Linebacker getting ready to hit the high school level. With that said, that size also allows for Vaughn to play a number of different positions in the defensive box. He's strong enough to play in the middle and blow up a running game in between the tackles. He's long enough, and athletic enough, to play Outside Linebacker if needed. Combining the power, length and athleticism, he's a prime candidate to keep on the field as an Edge defender in those 3rd-and-4 type of situations, where the pass and run are both still options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668627"],"_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-681a3d7be921c"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The only CSAA Louisville selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being completely transparent, I had no idea the Catholic Athletic Association of Louisville even existed until looking into [player_tooltip player_id='1668627' first='Sam' last='Raider']. Raider will be making his debut for the KY Future Stars this upcoming June, and his size is worth the excitement alone. Raider, which is a fantastic Linebacker last name by the way, primarily played Middle Linebacker this season. However, with his build and judging by the level of the competition in the conference, he may have just been a better athlete that served as the most immediate plug on the defensive side of the ball. I am yet to see him play live at this point, but everything I see about him screams Outside Linebacker and/or Edge if he continues to grow longer and fill out. He was one of several kids who passed the eye test right away, while looking at the 2024 CSAA Louisville-Champion, St. Matthews Catholic team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->