2025 Kentucky Future Stars – 8th Grade Defensive 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 nine (9) 8th grade (class of 2029) Defensive 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 nine prospects selected.    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport Athlete</li> </ul>   While I don't have specifics on his size as of this write up, Chandler certainly appears to be on the smaller size; However, his quickness and fast-twitch makes him an intriguing prospect. A standout in all three phases of the game for the Browning Springs Bears during the 2024 season, I think Chandler could be an excellent option as a Returner for the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars.     <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 St. Xavier for high school</li> </ul>   A prospect I got to see up close at the KYMSFA Battle of the Regions in March 2025, [player_tooltip player_id='1663960' first='Zaid' last='Charasika'] is a nice option as both a Cornerback and a Strong Safety--with Cornerback holding a slight lead in the position battle. Plays with quick feet and physicality as a CB. Has good muscle mass for his size and isn't afraid to get physical at the line, mixing in press coverage.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Helped Paducah reach KYMSFAA D2 State Championship Game</li> </ul>   Another Defensive Back on the smaller side for this 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team, [player_tooltip player_id='1669543' first='Damaris' last='Marshall'] will compete for one of the Cornerback jobs. Marshall will join his teammates and fellow Paducah prospects, [player_tooltip player_id='1663835' first='Jaheim' last='Southward'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1279955' first='Jake' last='Brown'] on the Future Stars team. Though it should be noted, Marshall is the only Paducah prospect slotted for the defensive side of the ball.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport Athlete</li> </ul>   Patterson's selection to the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team is my first time hearing about the Louisville prospect. A search for football film, social media and Google didn't yield a ton of information on Patterson other than that he participated in both running and field events for Newburg Tigers Track and Field squad this past spring.     <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>Helped Pikeville to a KYMSFA Division 3 State Championship in 2024</li> </ul>   There's a lot to love about the way [player_tooltip player_id='1650308' first='Brady' last='Ratliff'] plays football. He's a big, physical kid who primarily played Cornerback for the 2024 State Champion Pikeville Panthers. Plays the position with impressive balance and a well-rounded skill set. Can do it all in terms of coverage--off-man, zone, press; In what is becoming increasingly rare for the position, he's also a great tackler and has zero problem aiding in run support. I think he projects to more of a Safety long term, but either way, there's a lot to be excited about here.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was named his school's Offensive Player of the Year</li> </ul>   Before he was even announced for making the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team, I cam across Ray's film and quickly became a fan. The multi-sport athlete checks the boxes in terms of size, speed, ball skills and everything else that is required to be an impact player at the skill positions. While he did most of his damage as a Running Back during the 2024 season, getting a chance to focus strictly on defense will be good for Ray.     <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>The only three-time selection in the DB group</li> </ul>   Next year, in June 2026, we may have to check on [player_tooltip player_id='1669557' first='Terrell' last='Smith Jr.'] to see if he knows what to do without the annual tilt between Tennessee and the Kentucky Future Stars--considering he's been a staple on the squad since the 2022-2023 season/year. Now listed at 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, Smith Jr. has grown three inches and put on 25 pounds from a year ago. As is the case with many of the prospects, he has the ability to play multiple positions in the secondary.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Multi-sport Athlete</li> </ul>   Like [player_tooltip player_id='1669544' first='Dominique' last='Patterson'] above, Wilson's selection to the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars team is my first time hearing about him. A search for football film, social media and Google didn't yield a ton of information on Wilson, but he apparently did set a pair of PRs on the track this spring (per Athletic.Net) , registering a 12.73 in the 100m and 27.62 in the 200m. I look forward to getting a chance to check him out.     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First time selection for the Kentucky Future Stars</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Also a State Champion Wrestkler</li> </ul>   There's a certain toughness and grit that typically comes with football players who also wrestle, and that's exactly what [player_tooltip player_id='1665544' first='Aiden' last='Zuniga'] brings to the table. He's a bigger, tougher kid for the position and knows nothing but hard work. He checks a ton of boxes for me as a Safety and I feel like he could be the starter at Free Safety for the boys from Bluegrass state.

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) Defensive 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 nine prospects selected.