#NCEC Nashville Combine Top Performers: QB’s & RB’s
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Quarterbacks – We had a large group of gunslingers show up on Sunday and several guys had strong showings but they guy for me who I thought led the way was ‘22 Independence (TN) QB Joseph Cummings. Measuring in 6’2…
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– We had a large group of gunslingers show up on Sunday and several guys had strong showings but they guy for me who I thought led the way was ‘22 Independence (TN) QB Joseph Cummings. Measuring in 6’2 200 pounds, Cummings is a physical presence that slung the ball all over the field showing arm strength, timing and the simple knowledge of where to go with the ball. Cummings has had a very productive offseason thus far and this camp performance will only continue to grow his recruiting stock.
– One of the top in-state signal callers for the 2022 class showed up on Sunday and did what he does best and that’s stand out athletically and compete when the lights are on him. Summit (QB) Destin Wade Destin Wade 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Summit | 2022 State TN who currently holds offers from 15 plus Power Five programs, showed his continued improvement with his passing and when tested, the numbers he put up were strong. Recently offered by West Virginia, look for Wade to continue his improvement over the offseason and eventually have just every Power Five offer there is to have.
– A pair of 2023 signal callers had solid showings at Sunday’s combine and both already hold collegiate offers. 2023 Dickson Co. (QB) Colbey Lamberth and Henry Co. (QB) Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN both put forth consistent days showing timing, play concept and the ability to make tough throws. Lamberth in particular had a strong day during the testing portion of the combine, putting up a 4.69 in the pro agility. He also had a solid 40 time and then continued his good day when moved into 1 on 1’s.
Damron is a smart, cerebral quarterback that is a leader first and foremost but also has the passing skills to run on an offense on the college level. He displayed those attributes on Sunday and should see more offers come his way after adding Eastern Kentucky last week and performing well at the #NCEC Nashville Combine.
– The underclassmen of quarterbacks we had Sunday, overshadowed the 2022 class in multiple ways and it wasn’t just Lamberth or Damron who stood but several others as well. Those standout quarterbacks were Jayden Miller Jayden Miller 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH McMinn Co. | 2023 State TN (‘23) from McMinn Co., Cassen Huffaker Cassen Huffaker 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Knox. Halls | 2023 TN (‘23) from Karns, Brock Glenn Brock Glenn 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (‘23) from Lausanne, Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN (‘23) from Peabody and Braden Graham (‘24) from Lipscomb Academy. All five of these guys had moments throughout the day where it showed you why they could find themselves on the college level one day.
Top Performers: Joseph Cummings, Colbey Lamberth, Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN , Braden Graham, Austin Breedlove (McCallie – ‘22), Bradford Gaines (DCA – ‘22), Brock Glenn Brock Glenn 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Lausanne | 2023 State TN , Jayden Miller Jayden Miller 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH McMinn Co. | 2023 State TN , Cassen Huffaker Cassen Huffaker 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Knox. Halls | 2023 TN , Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN
Running Backs
– Throughout the entire camp, the collection of running backs at the Nashville combine were some of the hardest workers we had as just about each and every guy put forth maximum effort during every drill and really tried to make people notice their abilities.
Among a strong group of backs, the lead guy was ‘22 Oakland (TN) ball carrier Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Oakland | 2022 State TN , Jr. The Patriots star senior showed on Sunday why he is one of the top offensive recruits in the entire state displaying speed, athleticism, balance and a determination to be the best.
Patterson, Jr was consistent from start to finish. He put up a 4.5 forty during combine drills and when it came to 1 on 1’s, the Murfreesboro native was hard to handle, even showing great hands and the ability to become a threat in the passing game. Patterson, Jr doesn’t have any offers yet but that will change very soon.
– Already holding an offer from Tulane, ‘23 Independence (RB) Tre Hartwell Tre Hartwell 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Independence | 2023 State TN showed up to camp still physically looking and buff but also slimmed down, meaning he has been putting in work this offseason and it showed Sunday. A downhill runner with strong hands in the passing game, Hartwell is a big back that provides a little bit of everything to the table from running, receiving, pass blocking and more.
– An underclassmen that showed up and showed out had to be ‘23 Father Ryan (RB) Stef Ponder Stef Ponder 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN . Standing 6’0 and checking in around 190 pounds, Ponder already provides great size and the look of a college back. In front of scouts and his peers, Ponder provided a nice sampling of his budding talents, showing off sudden movements along with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. This is certainly a back many must keep an eye on going forward.
– A pair of 2022 backs had nice consistent days at the #NCEC Nashville Combine. The first is a local in Ravenwood (TN) RB Justin Smitherman Justin Smitherman 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2022 State TN and the other is an out of state talent in Marion (AR) RB Cameron Anderson. Smitherman is a powerful and versatile back that tested well but stood out more during 1 on 1 competition. Anderson had a solid day in both areas testing well and competing hard during 1 on 1’s. Both provide a different skill set but both have college upside.
Top Performers: Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Oakland | 2022 State TN , Jr, Stef Ponder Stef Ponder 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN , CJ Allen (Campbell Co. – ‘22), Tre Hartwell Tre Hartwell 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Independence | 2023 State TN , Justin Smitherman Justin Smitherman 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2022 State TN , Cameron Anderson, TJ Greenwell (Bardstown, Ky – ‘22), Matthew Stone Matthew Stone 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Boyd Buchanan | 2023 TN (Boyd Buchanan – ‘22), Keeveon Ransfer (Middle College – ‘22), Scott Collins (Brentwood – ‘22)