Tennessee Future Stars 2030 Defense Full Of Scary Talent

The Tennessee Future Stars proudly planted their flag in the ground against their rivals from Kentucky in this year's border war, as they swept the three-game set. The seventh-grade game (class of 2030) was the best game of three in my opinion, and the Tennessee defense had a number of impact players. While the game certainly had its share of exciting moments, the defensive unit was up to the challenge throughout the day.    It's typically not a good sign when the three leading tacklers on a team are all players from the defensive secondary, but don't tell Tennessee 7th Grade Future Stars Defensive MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1702903' first='Elijah' last='Preston'] that. The starting Strong Safety had one of the best individual defensive efforts I've seen in this annual game, in some time. Preston was in on at least one tackle on every defensive series he was in. The MUS prospect (unofficially) led the Big Orange with seven tackles and a timely interception late in the first half.     Patrolling the deep secondary alongside Defensive MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1702903' first='Elijah' last='Preston'] (listed above) was Free Safety [player_tooltip player_id='1654341' first='Jaxon' last='Hopkins']. Other than a glaring missed open field tackle on KY's opening drive of the game, Hopkins was rock solid as a Free Safety. He was arguably Tennessee's best man in coverage and the Ensworth prospect (unofficially) finished second on the team with six tackles. Showing off his physicality he and [player_tooltip player_id='1633777' first='Regge'Yun' last='Hubbard'] (listed below) combined to make a monster hit on a Kentucky WR and jarred a would-be reception loose.     I knew what kind of player Hubbard was from his performances at our PRZ Next Middle School Combines, but he put it on display for all to see against the Kentucky 7th Grade Future Stars team. Hubbard was a straight seatbelt as a Cornerback, locking up a talented group of Kentucky Wide Receivers throughout the day. The Baylor product (unofficially) finished with five tackles and a pair of PBUs. One of his most impressive plays was a perfectly-timed, jarring hit with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1654341' first='Jaxon' last='Hopkins'] (listed above) that separated the Kentucky WR from the ball.     While the Secondary definitely shined the brightest, the effort along the defensive front led by starting Defensive End [player_tooltip player_id='1675193' first='Josiah' last='Sandridge'], was nothing to scoff at. Sandridge was an eye-catcher right away during warmups, as he moved very well for a prospect with a thick, stocky build--to the point where I wasn't sure what position he was going to play based off his build. He was an impact player from the opening whistle, as he was in on two tackles on Kentucky's opening drive, one of which being a TFL. He (unofficially) finished with four on the afternoon.     Best way I can describe [player_tooltip player_id='1307170' first='I-Key' last='Lewis'] is like a summer thunderstorm forming in the distance; You can see the sky getting dark, wind picking up, distant flashes of lightning and some booms of thunder...until the sky opens up and it just rains. Lewis is a 2030 prospect with size and a frame to die for, he's starting to put it together athletically and the upside for him has no ceiling. The [player_tooltip player_id='1307170' first='I-Key' last='Lewis'] storm will be coming. While not a starter, he still (unofficially) finished with three tackles and a huge tackle for loss. The jury is out on if he'll be an unblockable Edge or a dancing bear Offensive Tackle, but he's going to be something.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/TN-7-in-body.jpg?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1709418" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Notable Defensive Standouts</h2>   Rodrick Smith III | Linebacker | Olive Branch Middle School (Mississippi) - Residing less than a half hour from Memphis, but on the Mississippi side, Rodrick Smith III had some nice plays as a Linebacker. He showed versatility and played both MLB and OLB on the afternoon, finishing (unofficially) with three stops.   [player_tooltip player_id='1701989' first='Gavin' last='Guy'] | Athlete/Linebacker | Havenview Middle School - Guy was an active Outside Linebacker for the Volunteer State throughout the day. There was a healthy rotation of LBs so the stats don't pop like others. However, the Havenview Middle Schooler finished with two tackles and recorded a Safety in the win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1307203' first='Shemar' last='Soles'] | Defensive Line | Oakland Middle School - By my unofficial stats, I don't believe he even recorded an official stat in the game, but he dominated the line of scrimmage when he was in the game. I'd almost venture to say that he has elite explosion off the snap. Stats don't always tell the whole story and this is a great example.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589021' first='Kevin' last='Caldwell Jr.'] | Linebacker | Kirkwood Middle School - It took until late in the game to do so, but [player_tooltip player_id='1589021' first='Kevin' last='Caldwell Jr.'] showed just how quickly he can get after the Quarterback. Late in the fourth quarter he had a pair of great plays that forced the QB to get rid of the ball.

The Tennessee Future Stars proudly planted their flag in the ground against their rivals from Kentucky in this year's border war, as they swept the three-game set. The seventh-grade game (class of 2030) was the best game of three in my opinion, and the Tennessee defense had a number of impact players. While the game certainly had its share of exciting moments, the defensive unit was up to the challenge throughout the day.