2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 7th Grade Defensive Back 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) seventh-grade (class of 2030) Defensive Backs selected to the prestigious team. The seventh-grade game against Tennessee has been split over the last four years, which each side of the border war winning two games. This year's KY group will aim to break the recent stalemate. Without a further adieu, here are the seven Defensive Backs selected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690625"],"_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-684c2d3b6a78c"} --> <!-- 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 to Region 4 team for the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects to Strong Safety</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of only three Defensive Backs on the 2025 7th Grade Kentucky Future team that have prior experience in the annual tilt between Tennessee and Kentucky. In Barabas Kentucky has a sure-tackler in the Secondary, which is always a plus. His ability to wrap up ballcarriers in open field is unquestionably aided by his prowess on the wrestling mat, as he finished 6th in Kentucky in the 119 weight class this past season. One more interesting note on Barabas, the Reidland product is listed at three inches taller and 20-pounds heavier than last year at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690627"],"_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-684c2d3b6a7e8"} --> <!-- 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>Multi-sport athlete</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects to play Cornerback</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining [player_tooltip player_id='1690625' first='David' last='Barabas'] (listed above) as a returner for the Kentucky Future Stars, [player_tooltip player_id='1690627' first='Kanye' last='Bottoms'] will bring proven ball skills to the Cornerback position. He's not the biggest kid in the world by any stretch, but he's very quick and plays with some twitch. Also a talented basketball player, his overall athleticism is on full display on the gridiron. A Wide Receiver on the offensive side of the ball as well, he's a guy who can routinely make plays on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690641"],"_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-684c405e5a5a1"} --> <!-- 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 to Region 1 team for the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects to Strong Safety</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at the tape of [player_tooltip player_id='1690641' first='Creed' last='Haley'], most of which is offensive film of him running the ball, his physicality quickly takes center stage. In the few defensive plays of I'm that I've seen, there's a throwback style to his game. All-Time Great Safeties like Ronnie Lott and John Lynch immediately come to mind, as does current four-time Pro Bowler Derwin James. It can likely go without saying, but Haley is a major plus in defense against the run. Plays with RB vision, DB agility and LB tackling ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1236898"],"_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-684c405e5a5f8"} --> <!-- 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 to Region 2 team for the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects to Cornerback/Safety/Strong Safety</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching [player_tooltip player_id='1236898' first='Antwan' last='Lovelace'] play this past March at the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions, I quickly became a fan of his versatility and style of play. Lovelace currently possesses the size to play Safety, but has the coverage skills necessary to blanket Wide Receivers as a Cornerback. At the Battle of the Regions tournament, I saw him line up at CB and shut down the opposing WR's with relative ease. He was able to run stride for stride with nearly every other Wideout on the field and did a masterful job of using the sideline to his advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1134639"],"_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-684c405e5a644"} --> <!-- 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>Helped lead Bowling Green to 2024 KYMSFA State Semi-Finals</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects to Cornerback</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third and final returner from last year's 6th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team, the coaches have to be ecstatic about [player_tooltip player_id='1134639' first='Jordon' last='Whitlow-Clark'] being back. In fact, he was the lone DB to <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/kentucky-future-stars-6th-grade-2030-defensive-standouts/">earn a nod as a Standout</a> in last year's game. Fast forward to this past regular season and with him as dual-threat QB and Defensive Back, Bowling Green was an overtime TD away from reaching the KYMSFA State Championship. Whitlow-Clark has excellent quickness and agility. During the 7v7 season he also started mixing in some play as a Wide Receiver. Vision, quickness and the knack for making a big play when it's needed most--are all reasons to get familiar with this ATH.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Prospects To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without the benefit of rosters, game film, basic information, etc. each year the Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game provides an opportunity for new prospects to make a name for themselves. The four prospects below are not necessarily <em>"new"</em> names to me, but I haven't had the opportunity to see enough of them to formulate a strong enough opinion. That said, I'm really looking forward to checking them out against the Kentucky Future Stars on the campus of UT-Martin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming out of Louisville, Ali Elite teammates [player_tooltip player_id='1690633' first='King' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1690634' first='Blake' last='Duerson'] will be strapping up for the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars for this first time. Both of them are heavily involved in the national travel ball scene for football. Just like his KY Future Stars teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1306180' first='Brady' last='Parker'], Brown has already adjusted his social media to indicate that he'll be taking a reclass year following the Future Stars Game and will be a class of 2031 prospect moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of teammates, Letcher Central Middle School's [player_tooltip player_id='1690694' first='Drake' last='Wright'] has been selected for the Kentucky Future Stars for the first time--joining his regular seson Cougars teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='1306224' first='Trigg' last='Whisenant']. While Whisenant is already a proven commodity on this stage--named a Standout in last year's gamer, I'm very interested to see what Wright brings to the table. He passes the eye test right away and looks the part of a promising athlete--I'll certainly have an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wrapping up the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars Defensive Backs is Lexington Christian Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1690679' first='Drew' last='Williams']. His film only has one clip on it from the 2024 season, which doesn't offer enough of a sample size. However, in that one clip -- a 5-yard TD run out of the backfield -- he looks like he can scoot in space a bit. Additionally, I like that Williams participates in the Triple Jump, as it shows strength and explosion. He's another one I'm very interested in checking out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->