2024 8th Grade KY Future Stars: Running Back Selection Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kentucky Future Stars took two out of three from the Tennessee Future Stars last June, with the only Bluegrass State team coming up short was the seventh-graders. Those seventh-graders are now eighth-graders (class of 2028) and all of Big Blue Nation is eagerly looking forward to the 15th annual tilt. With the game on Kentucky soil this year, it should be sure to surpass the hype surrounding the contest. Here's a look at the 8th grade Running Backs selected for this year's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["953617"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Bishop is an all around smart multi sport athlete looking to walk away with a “W” this year as an alum of this rivalry. In normal season play he has solid stats both on the ground and in the air which led him to receiving the POY in his conference.. The main thing that jumps out at you first is his good hands out the backfield. Bishop will keep defenses honest and create easy mismatches in the underneath passing game. Getting the ball handed off to his pocket from this years quarterbacks will only open the game up more. Strong lower half and contact balance is what to expect every time Bishops name is called. He needs to pop one early!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["423487"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Mr. Boyd has a lot of unfinished business this year, and I can only assume it's personal. Thankfully he is back in uniform and better than ever from last year's scare suffering an injury that cut his experience short. The attitude and determination oozes out of his pores when he steps in between the white lines to compete. I like this stout RB with the grit to focus his eyes downfield for big gains. He has one of the biggest runs last year in the game and with the luxury of running behind Conner Blevins, I don't see anything changing. This kid is tough and with bring everything he has for four quarters. Was a regional POY nominee in 2022.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1196295"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"No pressure, but if I was calling the offensive, Tennessee would constantly get Champagne showers during the entire contest. Da'Zarian has a special skill set that embodies all things an athlete can do. It will be interested to see the different ways you can get creative to get the ball into his hands. The size, speed, footwork, and vision of this player has to be maximized. Champagne can be used in a plethora of ways and the defense better make sure they know where he is at all times. He has the ability to flip the field in one play. This young man can find space on the corner by outrunning pursuit angles. That a problem versus any scheme.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1274303"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1274303' first='Peyton' last='Ladd'] is returning back for another year as a nice size option for the signal caller to distribute the ball to move the chains. Ladd is decisive in his decision making while toting the pill for the Kentucky Future stars. Not having that much to go off on in recent footage, myself and other scouts are anxious to get more eyes on him with so much talent in this game. Peyton's toughness will play a factor on winning this game and be evident to whomever is brave enough to clash with this titan before the whistle. He plays with good pad level and has pride in keeping his QB upright.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1023199"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Thomas is for real! Built like a traditional every down back with a polished all around game. From finishing his runs with authority to making would be tackler after tackler miss, this ball carrier can find success no matter the situation. This team is loaded with talent and I feel Eli is an integral puzzle piece because he will compliment all his brothers on the roster. His frame is ready for Fridays right now and his confidence in his ability shows. Move the pile or bursting up the middle or down the sideline for a big play will become routine if you let him get going.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664276f72c918"} /-->