2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 8th Grade Wide Receiver 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 nine (9) 8th grade (class of 2029) Wide Receivers 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 nine prospects selected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1279955"],"_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-6827584a3579c"} --> <!-- 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>Division 2 Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/promising-2029-and-2030-paducah-ky-prospects-on-the-rise/">my recent article</a> about the future talent in the Paducah Tilghman program, [player_tooltip player_id='1279955' first='Jake' last='Brown'] is certainly a prospect to know. The selection to the Kentucky 8th Grade Future Stars underlines that even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868213"],"_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-6827584a357f3"} --> <!-- 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>Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention in 2023 and 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Decker is one of the headliners in a deep Wide Receiver corps, that features four prospects who have been selected to the team for a third time. Decker brings good size and physicality to the group, on top of a winning pedigree. The multiple-time Regional Player of the Year nominee and Meece product, has won a lot of football games and hasn't lost to Tennessee yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868412"],"_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-6827584a3583b"} --> <!-- 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>Future Stars Game Standout in 2023 and 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without question, Lawless is, and has been, one of the most explosive 2029 Wide Receivers in Kentucky. No matter the stage, Lawless steps up and shows off his ability to make a big play happen at any time. I most recently saw him during the KYMSGA Battle of the Regions tournament in March and he was one of the main weapons on Region 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648823"],"_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-6827584a35880"} --> <!-- 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>Selected for KYMSFA Battle of the Regions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like [player_tooltip player_id='868412' first='David' last='Lawless'] listed above, another impressive prospect off the 8th Grade Region 2 team of the KYMSFA BOTR tournament was [player_tooltip player_id='1648823' first='Jailen' last='Mccown Carter']. He's a nice option on the outside for this Kentucky team, especially with his propensity to simply go up and get the ball on 50/50 balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598512"],"_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-68279c4e98908"} --> <!-- 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>Selected for KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nephew of former Louisville Cardinal standout and Washington Commander James Quick, [player_tooltip player_id='1598512' first='Jermiah' last='Quick'] will be one to watch in his Kentucky Future Stars debut. The genetics certainly carried on to the gifted 2029 prospect. He was a physical mismatch all season long for the Cougars and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant players in Jefferson County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311347"],"_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-6827584a358c4"} --> <!-- 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>Future Stars Game Standout in 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching him play last June as a member of the Kentucky Future Stars, he put a lot of people on notice with a performance that earned him a spot on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/kentucky-future-stars-7th-grade-2029-offensive-standouts/">top performer list</a>. Fast forward to March 2025 at the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions tournament, and he again balled out and helped Region 4 claim the championship. It's no secret that he's undersized by next level metrics (as of right now), but I guarantee he'll make at least one play in the game against Tennessee this year, that will make jaws drop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674806"],"_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-6827584a35907"} --> <!-- 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>Selected for KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in 2023</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of two Wide Receivers (along with [player_tooltip player_id='1648823' first='Jailen' last='Mccown Carter']) who will be participating in their second go around with the Kentucky Future Stars. [player_tooltip player_id='1674806' first='Skylar' last='Rowen'] is a proven commodity on the outside, who uses above average size mixed with <em>special</em> quickness and change of direction ability. His versatility as a WR allows him to line up at multiple spots and was recently clocked at a team-best 4.29 in the shuttle, at the Elizabethtown High School Football Combine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1150399"],"_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-6827584a3594f"} --> <!-- 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>Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention in 2023 and 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide Receiver/Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1150399' first='Jett' last='Reynolds'] is one of the Wide Receivers that was selected to the Kentucky Future Stars for an impressive third time. Reynolds will put an exclamation point on an excellent pre-high school career at Bowling Green Junior High. Reynolds and the Purple reached the Division 1 Region 1 finals this year, before bowing out to Bullit East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663835"],"_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-68279c4e989ca"} --> <!-- 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>Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention in 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the 2025 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars Wide Receiver group is none other than [player_tooltip player_id='1663835' first='Jaheim' last='Southward']. Southward will be joining his regular season teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1279955' first='Jake' last='Brown'] (listed above) and was also highlighted in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/promising-2029-and-2030-paducah-ky-prospects-on-the-rise/">my recent article</a> about the future talent in the Paducah Tilghman program. He's a very good looking athlete with the potential to become something really special on the next level if he continues to work towards it. Look for him to stretch the field a bit vertically, and if nothing else, he should draw double coverage at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->