2025 Tennessee Future Stars – 8th Grade Defensive Line Selections

This year's Tennessee Future Stars had four different tryout areas around the state, all in an effort to be selected for the prestigious football team. When the smoke settled, there were eight (8) 8th grade (class of 2029) Defensive Linemen selected for the annual border war against Kentucky. This year's 2029 group will attempt to stop the recent Kentucky winning street, as the boys in blue have won the previous three years on the eighth-grade level. Without a further adieu, here are the eight prospects selected.    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Named Defensive Line MVP at <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1506/register/middle-school-combine-tennessee">PRZ Next Middle School Combine</a></li> </ul>   Built like a brick--you know what--house, [player_tooltip player_id='1305637' first='Braxton' last='Logan'] will be one to watch out for on the 8th Grade TN Future Stars. A tireless off-season worker, Logan is one of the most physically impressive prospects on this roster when looking at his strength and build. He plays with a high motor and knows how/when to use his strength vs. more finesse. Look for the thick, strong interior Defensive Lineman to make an impact rather quickly.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>West TN Middle School All-Star Game selection</li> </ul>   The second of five returners off last year's squad, [player_tooltip player_id='1539843' first='CJ' last='Briggs'] has cranked up the volume since last year's Future Stars Game. Truth be told, he didn't even cross on my radar during last year's game. The 2024 season saw Briggs establish himself as one of, if not the, most dominant 2029 prospect in Dyer County. He's an athletic kid for his size and was an athletic/physical mismatch for most of the season. Briggs has an ATH/Edge position from me because he can play any number of positions--including Running Back--with a nice combination of speed and strength.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport athlete</li> </ul>   Like Braxton and Briggs listed above, [player_tooltip player_id='1673560' first='Collin' last='Simpson'] is also a returner to the TN Future Stars roster this year. Simpson was one of the taller kids a year ago as a seventh-grader, but has really turned the corner physically since last year; Listed on the roster at 6-foot-1 and 183-pounds. He's a nice looking athlete that can handle himself as a Defensive Tackle, but is best suited out on the Edge. Additionally, for the second straight year, the Shelby County product will be joining his Gryphon teammate, QB [player_tooltip player_id='1305211' first='Cullen' last='Hayden'] on the roster.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>West TN Middle School All-Star Game selection</li> </ul>   Looking at the sizes listed on the roster, the heaviest prospect up front for the 8th Grade TN Future Stars is Haywood's [player_tooltip player_id='1673572' first='Dakylin' last='Proffitt']. On the D-Line, he's certainly an interior guy who could be at the 300-pound mark before the regular season starts. Watching him on film, he has a tremendous frame to work with for a prospect only beginning his high school career. Long arms, long legs and carries his weight very proportionally--he really looks like a future Offensive Lineman, in my opinion. He's on the raw side in terms of fundamentals--he plays high at times and doesn't always keep his feet moving, but his size and strength was too much on the middle school level. The potential is certainly here for next level success.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was selected as a Tight End last year</li> </ul>   As a Tight End on last year's 7th Grade TN Future Stars team, I quickly fell in love with the physicality he brought to the table. I named him a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/tennessee-future-stars-2029-offensive-standouts/">top performer a year ago</a>, despite not having an official offensive stat in the game. Fast forward a few months and he was a big reason why Bearden brought home the MAC Championship this season. I last saw Payne play live in November at the Fire/Ice All-American Game, where his play on the Defensive Line made me realize that he was even better along the defensive front. In a year's time, Payne went from a boy to a man physically, and is listed at 6-foot-2 and 236-pounds---which is up two inches and 30+ pounds from last year.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Member of the MAC Championship-winning, Bearden team</li> </ul>   Bearden was loaded with talent at nearly every position this year, but their defensive line was certainly near the top of the list when looking at the level of ability of each position group. Comparing it to a boxing match, if teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1305177' first='Jimmy' last='Payne'] was delivering big body blows, [player_tooltip player_id='1531563' first='Maurice' last='Broyles'] was dishing constant jabs to the opposing offenses. He fires off the ball quickly and has very loose hips for a pass-rusher at this stage. Taking nothing away from his strength, which he uses to jolt defenders back via his quick hands, it's his quick initial steps that tend to give him an advantage.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport athlete</li> </ul>   Ousley is one of the few new names to me on the 8th Grade Tennessee Future Stars team. I haven't been able to find any film or social media when it comes to him. He's listed at 5-foot-5 and 230-pounds on the roster, which is very stout. I'd imagine he'll be an interior guy, but there is very little information out there about him as of this writeup.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Is now a two-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was selected as an Offensive Lineman last year</li> </ul>   The eighth and final Defensive Lineman in this 8th Grade TN Future Stars preview is [player_tooltip player_id='1305173' first='Trenton' last='Gibbs']. I absolutely fell in love with Gibbs last year <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/tennessee-future-stars-2029-offensive-standouts/">in this game,</a> as he combined ability with attitude and effort all game long. He was the best O-Linemen on the field for Tennessee last year and wasn't afraid to mix it up with any of the big boys in the trenches from Kentucky. He exuded toughness. This year, following Oakland Middle School adding another championship for their longstanding dominance in Rutherford County, Gibbs was named an All-County player. Also a stellar basketball player, his quickness and feet have improved and he looks to be even better on the D-Line than he was on the O-Line. On top of what he does on the field, he's a high character kid and I wouldn't be shocked to see him named a Team Captain come game time.

This year's Tennessee Future Stars had four different tryout areas around the state, all in an effort to be selected for the prestigious football team. When the smoke settled, there were eight (8) 8th grade (class of 2029) Defensive Linemen selected for the annual border war against Kentucky. This year's 2029 group will attempt to stop the recent Kentucky winning street, as the boys in blue have won the previous three years on the eighth-grade level. Without a further adieu, here are the eight prospects selected.