#PRZTN Spring Showcase Brings Out Top Talent
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It might have been a rainy Saturday for football but that didn’t stop the talent from showing up and showing out at the 1st annual Prep RedZone Tennessee Spring Showcase. Players came to compete from all across the state and…
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Continue ReadingIt might have been a rainy Saturday for football but that didn’t stop the talent from showing up and showing out at the 1st annual Prep RedZone Tennessee Spring Showcase.
Players came to compete from all across the state and they did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, the in-state prospects not only competed hard but put up some outstanding testing numbers that will certainly take their recruitments to a new level.
The biggest position grouping and probably the most talented had to be the offensive line. Those trench warriors had a strong day from testing all the way into 1 on 1 competition.
Among the big men who attended were Ben Caviness Ben Caviness 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Christian Brothers | 2022 State TN (Chrst. Brothers), Ryan Wright Ryan Wright 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Northview Academy | 2022 State TN (Northview Acad.), Mason Richardson (Summit), Ryan Hacker Ryan Hacker 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL IMG Academy | 2022 TN (Beech), ‘23 Maryville (C/G) Cal Grubbs Cal Grubbs 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Maryville | 2023 State TN and an out of town talent in Erie (CO) OT/G John Pastore.
All five of these guys had big moments throughout camp and clearly showed why they are on the radar for college coaches. Pastore is a guy that was very impressive as he sports great size (6’6 ½ 275 lbs) along with a nice frame and length. The dude can move and he plays with a mean disposition.
Another strong position group was the quarterbacks. The signal callers behind center had themselves a strong showing at camp where many guys showed off arms and timely passing but put up some strong testing numbers that should make college coaches look closer.
One guy who impressed me a lot was ‘23 Independence (TN) rising junior Brooks Sapone. His mechanics and ball throwing abilities are smooth and he has some power behind that right arm.
Not to be outdone by Sapone, several others had strong days as well and they include Stephen Swoner Stephen Swoner 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Mt.Juliet | 2022 TN (Mt. Juliet), Emmett Hegland Emmett Hegland 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Midway | 2022 TN (Midway), Garrison Barrett Garrison Barrett 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Volunteer | 2022 State TN (Volunteer), ‘23 McKenzie (QB) Jackson Cassidy, ‘23 Karns (QB) Cassen Huffaker Cassen Huffaker 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Knox. Halls | 2023 TN and ‘24 Zion Chrst. Acad. (QB) Elisha Nieves.
The skills positions on offense weren’t that deep but it allowed several guys to gain a lot of reps and put themselves under a bigger spotlight.
Running backs in particular had a good day while the receivers saw a handful of guys really step up and show what they were all about.
Among the skill guys to know about where (RB) Jeffrey Vercher, Jr (FRA), (RB) David Calderon (FACS), (WR) Willie Butts (Wilcox Co, Ga), (WR) Scotty Motes (Southside, AL), ‘23 (RB) Keion Irby (Wilson Central), ‘23 (RB) Demari Braden (Marshall Co.) and ‘24 Upperman (RB) JaLyric Cullom.
Vercher, Jr, Irby and Cullom were three guys in particular that really stood out to me as all three provide a different skill set at the running back position that translate well to the next level.
Switching over to the defense, multiple prospects had stellar days in both testing and competition that made coaches and scouts in attendance excited about what they saw with a few guys making a name for themselves.
The star of camp had to be 2023 Mt. Juliet (TN) linebacker Ethan Crisp Ethan Crisp 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mt. Juliet | 2023 State TN . No matter what he competed in, the Golden Bears rising junior immediately stood out with his movements, attention to detail and overall competitive nature.
Crisp was the best during 1 on 1 competition for the linebackers where he picked off a pass or two and was always around the ball but what really put him over was the 4.4 forty he ran during testing.
The dude is big (6’3 ½ 205 lbs) long, smart and highly active. Crisp showed in camp why he has a Vanderbilt offer and many other Power Five programs showing interest.
The rest of the linebackers had strong days as well. Not to be outdone by Crisp, Maryville (LB) Brayden Hoy, McCallie (LB) Aaron Crowder and Brentwood (LB) Seth Carter had outstanding camp showings as well.
Carter in particular was a pleasant surprise as he has size (6’2 200 lbs) and showed he can run and move in open space. He is certainly someone to watch going forward.
The big men up front in the defensive line competed hard last Saturday at Oakland high school with two edge rushers really standing out and some interior beef displaying mobility and athleticism.
The stud on the D-line had to be Beech (TN) defensive end Austyn Keen Austyn Keen 6'4" | 210 lbs | DL Beech | 2022 TN . This young man has put together a strong offseason showing in camps thus far with his quickness and ability to work the edge and last Saturday, he did just that.
Keen ran a good 40 and had one of the best L-Drill times of any lineman in camp then he really took off during 1 on 1 competition where the O-line had a hard time stopping him.
Another edge rusher to know about is 2024 Father Ryan (DE) Ryan Robinson Ryan Robinson 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Father Ryan | 2024 TN . This youngster was more than ready to compete and he handled himself very well. The Fighting Irish rising sophomore showed good bend and quickness on the edge along with a competitive fire that you want in a pass rusher. Future looks bright for this Nashville area defender.
Two other defensive ends of note that had solid days were Page (DE) Aiden Lehner and Bob Jones (AL) defender Christian Kemp.
The beef in the middle of the D-line was good too and guys of note to learn about include ‘23 Rockwood (DT/OL) Nehemiah Storey Nehemiah Storey 6'1" | 285 lbs | OL Rockwood | 2023 State TN and ‘24 Knox. Catholic (DT) Antori Hamilton Antori Hamilton 6'0" | 280 lbs | DL Knoxville Catholic | 2024 TN .
Looking into the secondary, this group wasn’t as deep as others on defense but one guy really stood out and placed himself at the top of the board as one of best overall performers of the #PRZTN Spring Showcase.
That guy was Covington (DB) Jalen Fayne. The Chargers senior to be was all over the field on Saturday standing out with his speed, physical traits and ultimate competitive nature.
His first shining moment came during testing where he ran a 4.4 forty then proceeded to put up more strong numbers during other drills. Fayne then went into positional work and 1 on 1 competition and continued to show out.
Fayne is a talented young man that provides a lot of versatility and value to the secondary and even special teams that translate to the collegiate level.
Two other defensive backs of note that had good days at camp include Cleveland (DB) Jonathan Heralus and Soddy Daisy (DB) Kayden Phillips.
This camp really allowed several under the radar prospects to be put under a bigger spotlight and show why they should attain college offers and a lot of guys really took advantage of that opportunity.
Stay tuned to Prep RedZone Tennessee over the coming days for a more in-depth look at the prospects from the 2021 #PRZTN Spring Showcase.