2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 8th 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) 8th grade (class of 2029) Running Backs 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 five prospects selected.    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was named KYMSFA Division 1, Region 1 Player of the Year this season</li> </ul>   The fastest eighth-grader in Kentucky will be suiting up in the backfield for the KY Future Stars this June. Burton is a home run threat from anywhere on the field and has the potential to score any time the ball in his hands. His speed numbers are impressive and verified: a 4.6 in the forty, a PR of 11.27 in the 100m and a PR of 23.34 in the 200m. Burton brought home Player of the Year honors and headlines a talented group of 2029 Bowing Green Junior High prospects that reached the Region 1 Championship Game.     <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>Starter at Running Back for last year's Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1264509' first='Jaron' last='Childrey'] has proven to be a very complete Running Back over his middle school career. From lowering his shoulder to deliver blocks, to having very good speed and quickness while running in open field, to even lining up in the slot to catch passes--he can do it all. He and the Briar Jumpers won the Region 3 Championship before bowing out in the KYMSFA Division 3 Semi-finals. For his efforts Childrey was named a KYMSFA Division 3 Honorable Mention Regional POY nominee, and was selected to both the Region 4 team in the Battle of the Regions and the All-Star Classic.     <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>Will be attending Danville High School for high school</li> </ul>   If [player_tooltip player_id='1662543' first='Zyrek' last='Burton'] is the speed back, and [player_tooltip player_id='1264509' first='Jaron' last='Childrey'] is the complete back, that has to make [player_tooltip player_id='1311186' first='Jay'Vian' last='Meaux'] the most natural Running Back of the group. Meaux looks like he was born to play the position, as he combines toughness and the ability to break tackles with his verified 11.35 speed in the 100m. I'd compare his running style to that of a pinball, but more athletic than that. His ability to absorb hits, stay balanced and reaccelerate was a thing of beauty when I last saw him play in March 2025 at the Battle of the Regions. He was the best 2029 RB I saw that weekend.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Will be attending Ballard High School for high school</li> </ul>   In full disclosure, after a Google search and a Hudl search yielded no results, I am yet to see any film of [player_tooltip player_id='1669517' first='Enzo' last='Swanson'] on the football field. However, he's a kid I'm very intrigued by and hope I get the chance to see him run. After being named an Alternate for the 6th Grade Kentucky Future Stars in 2023, he finally broke through and made the team this year. The Jefferson County native has some decent track and field numbers too, with a PR of 12.73 in the 100m and a 32'8" in the shot put. He certainly passes the eye test and I'll be watching him closely.     <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>Multi-sport athlete</li> </ul>   In a football climate where 7v7 is all the rage and operating out of the spread formation, or going four wide is more common than ever, [player_tooltip player_id='1669523' first='Layton' last='Wade'] continues to prove that there is still a need for the power back/Fullback. Wade is pure power and smash mouth football who likely won't get the headlines that some of the other backs do, but he keeps the chains moving in short distances. Built like a tree stump, Wade is a kid with a broad neck who uses his strength well. He was listed at 200-pounds last June as a seventh-grader and as of May 2025, was timed at a 12.65 in the 100m and recorded a shot put throw of 39'2".

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) 8th grade (class of 2029) Running Backs 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 five prospects selected.