KY Future Stars 2029 O-Line Had Bright Spots Despite Dark Day

The Kentucky Future Stars failed to win a game against their rivals from Tennessee in this year's border war, but the 8th Grade Offensive Line certainly had some notable performances. While the Tennessee Defensive Line gets the nod in terms of who won this battle in the trenches, the Big Blue big boys met fire with fire all game long. Obviously a loss is a loss, and there are things that could have been done better to get the win, but the big guys up front did their part. Here's he stood out.    With a lot of well-known names and returning starters from Kentucky Future Stars teams of years past, I was pleasantly surprised to see [player_tooltip player_id='1665548' first='Foster' last='Thompson'] came away as the most consistent Offensive Lineman on this year's eighth-grade team, in my eyes. Participating in his first Future Stars event, Thompson started at Right Guard for Big Blue and really made same nice blocks throughout the day. He's played a lot of Offensive Tackle up until this game, but the move inside seemed to be the correct one for him. Thompson did a nice job drive blocking on run plays, and kept a ravenous Tennessee Future Stars D-Line at bay the best he could.     On the opposite side of the Offensive Line from [player_tooltip player_id='1665548' first='Foster' last='Thompson'] (listed above) was starting Left Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1311339' first='Carter' last='Lawless']. For the third year in a row, Lawless was named a standout performer for the Kentucky Future Stars team. Out of all the Offensive Linemen on the team, Lawless passed the eye more than anyone else. He did a nice job of staying low and getting his back to the hole. He moved his feet well and stayed engaged with his man to and through the whistle on nearly every play. Interestingly enough, following the game, Lawless made his decision to reclass public. Look for him to come back next year for a fourth and final Kentucky Future Stars event.     As I mentioned in the intro, and again in the write up of [player_tooltip player_id='1311339' first='Carter' last='Lawless'] (listed above), there were a number of returning standouts and starters on this year's 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars squad. Starting Right Tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1311215' first='JP' last='Brandenburg'] was one of those returning standouts, and he again separated himself from the pack. Weighing 40+ pounds more than he did a year ago, Brandenburg did an outstanding job of getting up to the second and third level for a prospect of his size. The future Estill County Engineer moved like a player a fraction of his 6-foot-3, 285-pound size. His ability to get out into space and hit a Cornerback or Safety coming down hill was very impressive.     A prospect like [player_tooltip player_id='1670681' first='Ian' last='Tibbs'] is exactly why a program like the Kentucky Future Stars can be so important for middle school football players. Like [player_tooltip player_id='1665548' first='Foster' last='Thompson'] (listed above), Tibbs was a first-time Kentucky Future Stars selection this year and in my first opportunity to see him play live--Tibbs really grabbed my attention. While he was the backup Right Tackle playing behind [player_tooltip player_id='1311215' first='JP' last='Brandenburg'] (listed above), Tibbs was a clear standout when he was in the game. I'd dare to say he was one of, if not the best, pass blocker on the field for the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars--something that shouldn't have been a surprise given he was the state runner-up at Heavyweight on the wrestling mat. Complete with frame that is just begging to add on mass, he has a really bright future.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/KY-8-OL-body.jpg?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1702310" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Notable Offensive Linemen</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1670674' first='John' last='David Oliver'] | Offensive Line - Center | Trigg County High School - The 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars used an unbalanced fairly regularly throughout the game against Tennessee, and it was [player_tooltip player_id='1670674' first='John' last='David Oliver'] who came in as the extra Offensive Lineman. When they used a traditional formation, Oliver lined up at Center. He showed versatility.   [player_tooltip player_id='1311377' first='Mark' last='Stivers III'] | Offensive Line - Tackle | Kentucky Country Day - Another prospect who showed a lot of versatility for the 8th Grade Kentucky Future Stars. Stivers III lined up at both Right Guard and Left Tackle during the game, depending on personnel. He did a better job in pass protection than he did in run blocking. The former JCTMS standout has a ton of potential and is a prospect on the rise.   [player_tooltip player_id='1311355' first='Christian' last='Alsabrook'] | Offensive Line - Tackle | Somerset High School - It was a mixed bag of a day for starting Left Tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1311355' first='Christian' last='Alsabrook']. When it was BOB, and he got to use his strength and power, he had some moderate success. However, the speed and athleticism of some of the Tennessee Future Stars Edge rushers were a challenge for him.

The Kentucky Future Stars failed to win a game against their rivals from Tennessee in this year's border war, but the 8th Grade Offensive Line certainly had some notable performances. While the Tennessee Defensive Line gets the nod in terms of who won this battle in the trenches, the Big Blue big boys met fire with fire all game long. Obviously a loss is a loss, and there are things that could have been done better to get the win, but the big guys up front did their part. Here's he stood out.