Tennessee Future Stars: 6th Grade (2030) Offensive Standouts

After an action-packed weekend of middle school football action at the Kentucky vs. Tennessee Future Stars Game, it's time to break down the top offensive standouts that made their presence known at EKU's Roy Kidd Stadium. Following Team Tennessee's 14-12 victory on the road over their counterparts from Kentucky, here's my take on some of the top 6th grade (2030) offensive standouts from the game against the boys in blue.    When looking at the stand out performances in this game, there's no better place to start than with the game that Eschenburg had for the 6h grade Tennessee Future Stars. Unlike the 7th and 8th grade games, some athletes played both ways in the 6th grade game and that's the case here. Honestly, he could have won MVP for both sides of the ball. Between big hits on defense as an attacking Defensive Back and the countless catches, he was all over the field. Eschenburg hauled in the lone touchdown reception for Tennessee in the game as well. One last thing that won't show up in the stat sheet but caught my eye throughout the game, was Eschenburg's ability to stalk block on the outside as a receiver. He clearly takes pride in his blocking and made it a miserable day for Kentucky defensive backs all around.     The only victorious starting Quarterback of the three grade levels from the Volunteer State, Slagle was impressive from the start. He made a number of nice throws on the run or off-platform that were advanced for a prospect at this level. On top of even being able to get the ball off in those situations, most passes were accurate with a tight spiral. He's one to keep an eye on, as he develops over his middle school years. (*Article edited from original posting).     Down on the field during warmups, Perkins was one of the prospects that passed the eye test right away for me. Without question, one of the more physically developed prospects in the game, his play backed up his physical stature. With long arms and legs, he was was a constant threat on the outside for the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars team. Ironically enough, it wasn't his receiving ability that helped him find the end zone, it was his ability to create with the ball in his hands. Perkins' second quarter scored on an End-around proved to be the touchdown that propelled Tennessee to the victory.     The ground attack for the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars was paced by Running Back, [player_tooltip player_id='1307126' first='KJ' last='Baker']. Baker shouldered the load, running mainly between the tackles and behind an O-Line with some really impressive size for just being in the class of 2030. While he didn't find the end zone, the presumed leading rusher (no official stats kept) kept the chains moving all day. Also contributed in special teams, highlighted by a big return on the second half kick off.     Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1267001' first='Kody' last='Spight'] was another one of the prospects on this 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars team that caught my eye during warmups, based off his build and the way he moved around. Come game time, his versatility had a chance to shine through. He lined up as a Fullback/H-Back on the majority of plays and did a nice job as a blocker. He also made the most of his opportunities when he get the ball, specifically on a nice run in the third quarter where he showed off some agility to avoid a linebacker at the line of scrimmage, before picking up a nice gain.     As mentioned above, the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars team featured a massive offensive line for only being class of 2030 prospects. One of those massive linemen was starting Center, [player_tooltip player_id='1307148' first='Brandon' last='McDonald']. McDonald looked the part getting off the bus, as a muscled up young big man. It wasn't a completely perfect day for McDonald, as a few shotgun snaps did dribble back to the Quarterback(s), but when it came to blocking--he had a day. He was simply too strong, on top of really good technique on backside blocks. He looks like he'll be a good one, as of June 2024.     On top of having the coolest name on the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars team, [player_tooltip player_id='1307154' first='Shook' last='Decker'] was also one heck of an offensive lineman for the Volunteer State. The starter at Left Tackle, Decker's size was eye-opening on the bus ride over, listed at 6-foot and 240-pounds. The big dog could also bite too, as he was a devastating down blocker. On more than one occasion that I happened to be watching him, he flushed down the entire side of his line, turning Kentucky defensive linemen into bumper cars. As of June 2024, I can see this young man becoming one of the top O-Linemen in the class of 2030 if he continues to develop and work.     It was a Sour Patch Kid kind of day for Johnson, against the 6th grade Kentucky Future Stars. He made a couple sour plays, including a near interception and overthrowing a wide open receiver in the end zone with 4:35 left in the first half. However, he also made some really sweet, impressive plays that provided a glimpse into what could be coming in the future at perennial powerhouse Oakland Middle School. When Johnson had time and was settled he has the ability to deliver a nicely thrown ball, including the lone Tennessee touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1307084' first='Ace' last='Eschenburg']. Like most QBs at this level, there were some accuracy things work in, but he's a ball player. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Johnson, was his dual-threat ability. He could take off in the blink of an eye and pick up positive yards, despite looking dead to rights in the backfield. (*Article edited from original posting).     I don't think there was a single player on the field, coach on the sidelines or spectator in the stands that didn't notice 6-foot-2, 225-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1307170' first='I-Key' last='Lewis'] on the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars. The starter at Right Tackle has an incredible frame that the coaches at Baylor have to be drooling over. For a prospect of his height and length at this age, he has surprisingly pretty good feet when pass blocking. He did get beat inside at times for playing too tall and/or not being strong enough against the Kentucky defensive line--both of which are correctable with more work and further physical development. He's a 2030 that should be on the radar of a lot of people in the Volunteer State.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Tennessee 6th Grade (Class of 2030) Future Stars That Stood Out</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1307180' first='Macc' last='Chapin'] | Athlete | Moore County - Like [player_tooltip player_id='1267001' first='Kody' last='Spight'] (listed above) Chapin filled that H-Back/Full Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End role very well and made the most of his opportunities. While there were some certain eye test-passers, he initially didn't. Yet, he let his game do the talking. He had a couple nice receptions and had some nice blocks while he was in the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1307192' first='Kaion' last='Hines'] | Wide Receiver | Bellevue - Wearing the unmistakable orange helmet and blue facemask of Bellevue, Hines was a starter at Wide Receiver in the game for the 6th grade Tennessee Future Stars. I saw Hines get open several times, however, the QB typically wasn't in a position to get the ball off. His closest opportunity for a big play came with 4:35 left in the second quarter, when he couldn't have been more open, but the pass was overthrown.

After an action-packed weekend of middle school football action at the Kentucky vs. Tennessee Future Stars Game, it's time to break down the top offensive standouts that made their presence known at EKU's Roy Kidd Stadium. Following Team Tennessee's 14-12 victory on the road over their counterparts from Kentucky, here's my take on some of the top 6th grade (2030) offensive standouts from the game against the boys in blue.