#NCEC Nashville: Breakthrough Performers

Last Sunday in Murfreesboro, at Blackman High School, we had a large group of talented football players from multiple states that had breakout performances and put themselves on the map to be recruitable prospects. Here we take a deep look at five guys who really had standout days and earned themselves a bigger look by scouts and college programs. 1. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102112" first="LaMarion" last="Pierce"] (6'0 165) - Marshall Co. - Pierce had himself a banner day where he not only put up strong testing numbers but also excelled during positional drills and 1 on 1 competition. The Tigers rising senior defensive back had one of the best testing days of anybody at the combine where he posted a 4.4 flat forty and then went on to place a 10'7 in the broad jump. Pierce is a very athletic guy when you watch his film and it translated to the field during the combine where he put that athleticism on display in a variety of ways. His athletic abilities and physical traits might allow him to stay outside at cover corner in college, especially with how his test numbers look. His performance has already led to college offers from MTSU, Toledo and Eastern Ky with several others showing increased interest. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/5fb774f26e8ba80b6cae61b0">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/5fb774f26e8ba80b6cae61b0</a> 2. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102079" first="Roland" last="McGhee"] (6'1 178) - Ensworth - A versatile guy with size and arm length, McGhee was another defensive back standout that put together an absolutely powerful day on the field that certainly jumped his recruitment into another stratosphere. A track star at Ensworth, McGhee placed well at the #NCEC Combine where he posted a 4.47 forty and was a lockdown defender during 1 on 1 competition. McGhee is a well built young man that sports a lot of physical traits that translate very well to the next level. His length, speed, height and big radius screams high upside potential and by running his 4.4 at the combine, it shows McGhee has a shot to stay outside at cover corner. His versatility alone should get him into the college game and Toledo agrees as they became his 1st offer last week after his performance at the #NCEC Nashville Combine. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11488978/5fac224404284b0b943ee5f8">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11488978/5fac224404284b0b943ee5f8</a> 3. (TE) Carson Yates (6'4 215) - Baylor School - A two sport prospect who is currently competing during his baseball season, Yates came to Nashville to put his football talents on display and he did not disappoint. The Red Raiders rising senior is an athletic pass catcher that proved his abilities at the #NCEC Combine that he can be a game changing playmaker on the collegiate level. Yates ran a 4.54 forty and then put up a 4.48 during his 5-10-5, so those numbers immediately showed me what is seen on film and that is he can run and seperate. Yates has the traits of a mismatch nightmare for the opposition as he can line up in multiple roles on offense and be a safety valve or big play threat. The first offer has yet to arrive but after his combine performance, Yates is sure to see that change soon. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11287853/5fb4225190ef62037c468d13">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11287853/5fb4225190ef62037c468d13</a> 4. (DE) Austyn Keen (6'4 215) - Beech - Keen is currently an under the radar prospect but after his performance at the #NCEC Nashville Combine, his stock should only rise and begin entertaining interest from collegiate programs. Running one of the fastest 40's of all defensive linemen, Keen had a strong testing day then took his fierce work ethic over into 1 on 1's and kicked butt. He was tough to handle on the edge displaying a quick get-off along with the bend to get around the tackle and to the quarterback. Keen does need to continue adding weight and power but he showed that he has the speed and edge quickness to be a disruptor at defensive end or even outside linebacker. The Buccaneers edge defender does show traits to stand up and play in space on the next level. He still has to continue developing but the college upside is there. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13373030/6036c67d19a5a91398b8f5a5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13373030/6036c67d19a5a91398b8f5a5</a> 5. (RB) Craig Cunningham II (5'9 182) - Lausanne - Traveling up from the Memphis area, Cunningham came ready to compete and perform at a level that earned him MVP honors for his position and clearly placed himself on the recruiting radar. The Lynx stud back clocked in the 4.5's and then continued to dominate his testing and positional drills. A strong, stocky guy with short space quickness, Cunningham is a balanced back that can churn out the tough, physical yards or break loose into the open field and hit that home run. He displayed all those skills and then some at the #NCEC Combine. Cunningham is poised for a big breakout senior season and after performing well so far in camps, the West Tennessee product should be on the radar of many college coaches. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7665555/5f98614cc1247b08c8fa844b">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7665555/5f98614cc1247b08c8fa844b</a> Others Considered: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="119674" first="Corbin" last="Frith"] - Ravenwood, (LB) Brayden Hoy - Maryville, (DB) Jaydon Jones - Northeast, (DB) John McAdams - McCallie, (OL) [player_tooltip player_id="119404" first="Mason" last="Richardson"] - Summit, (Ath) Jermiah Skipworth, Jr - Baylor, (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="126854" first="[player_tooltip player_id="126854" first="Daniel" last=""]" last=""] Morra- BGA, (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="102121" first="Josiah" last="Jackson"] - FRA, (DE/LB) Matthew Plunkett - McCallie, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="102160" first="Stephen" last="Swoner"] - Mt. Juliet