2025 Tennessee Future Stars – 8th Grade Running Back Selections

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 only three (3) 8th grade (class of 2029) Running Backs 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 three (3) prospects selected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1305180"],"_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-68225bc78d985"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is now a three-time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Named Running Back MVP at <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1506/register/middle-school-combine-tennessee">PRZ Next Middle School Combine</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running attack for the Tennessee Future Stars certainly starts with the tough style of [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] The only Running Back on the team with prior TN Future Stars experience, expect him to be relied on heavily. Built like a tank and running with a low center of gravity, he's a load to bring down. After taking the handoff, he combines power with quick-footedness in the hole to promptly pick up yards. Keeps his shoulders square and with nearly ideal pad level, he easily breaks arm tackles and nearly always falls forward if he makes it past the LOS. Buntyn Jr. is, without question, one of the top 2029 RBs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672176"],"_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-68225bc78da21"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Multi-sport athlete</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Debuting in Tennessee Future Stars uniform for the first time this upcoming June, it will serve as an exclamation point on a tremendous 2024-2025 school year for [player_tooltip player_id='1672176' first='Peyton' last='Hager']. During the 2024 football season, Hager was one of the most dominant players in all of Jefferson County. The dashing Running Back was one of the main reasons the Maury Hornets went undefeated this season. Continuing his success during the winter months on the basketball court, Hager was nothing short of dominating and led the team in scoring in every game he played. Moving back to the gridiron, I absolutely love the way this kid moves in space. I honestly like him more right now as an Outside Linebacker/Nickel type of player because his closing speed borders on elite. He appears to be a nice, speed option for the TN Future Stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672216"],"_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-68225bc78daa0"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First time selection for the Tennessee Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Multi-sport athlete</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] is the proven vet in this Running Back stable, and (on film) [player_tooltip player_id='1672176' first='Peyton' last='Hager'] appears to be the speed option, Gibbs Middle School product [player_tooltip player_id='1672216' first='Trevor' last='Nicely'] looks to be the most varsity-ready of them all at this point. He passes the eye test immediately and looks the part of a future big time baller, listed at 5-foot-10 and 186-pounds on the roster. Nicely is a multi-sport athlete (Track and Field/Basketball) and on film, appears to be a nice package of size, speed, agility and hands. Hits the hole violently. Runs a little upright at times. Doesn't appear to have breakaway sprinter speed in the open field on the second and third level(s)(yet). However, he was clocked at a 12.69 in the 100m earlier this spring and helped set his school record in both the 4x100 and 4x200. I am really looking forward to checking him out in person, as he checks a lot of boxes for me and think his potential is through the roof.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->