#PRZTN Spring Showcase Top Performers: Offense

The collection of talent we had at the Prep RedZone Tennessee Showcase was quite strong and it was hard to sift through everybody and come up with a top performers list as many, many guys could be considered. Prospects from all across the state came to compete in Murfreesboro and at Oakland high school in hopes of developing their game and helping their recruitments and I believe these guys did just that! Offensive Top Performers (Top 10 - No specific order/ranking) 1. (RB) Jeffery Vercher, Jr (5’10 175) - Franklin Road Academy - A balanced back with burst and vision, Vercher, Jr put together a strong showing at the Showcase last weekend and really put himself on the map as a back to watch. The Panthers rising senior has solid measurables along with a physical frame that can take a hit and keep going. He also put up good numbers during testing and showed that can not only just run the ball but catch it as well. Vercher, Jr is a talented back that should gain more recruiting interest as the months go on. 2. ‘23 (QB) Brooks Sapone (5’11 182) - Independence - One of the more impressive showings of the day came from Sapone where he put on a show during testing but also in 1 on 1 and positional work as well. A natural athlete that could play several positions, Sapone showed last weekend why he could play QB on the next level with his accurate passing and knowledge of when to and not to throw the ball. He has a unique feel for the passing game along with leadership qualities that resonate well in the huddle. Sapone showed all that and more as to me he earned top QB honors for the #PRZTN Spring Showcase. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135219" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/44-Brooks-Sapone1-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 3. (OT/G) John Pastore (6’6 275) - Erie (Co) - While visiting family here in Tennessee, Pastore said why not and decided to attend the #PRZTN Spring Showcase and good thing he did because to me, he earned MVP honors for the entire offensive side of the ball. This is a Power Five talent in every sense. He sports a great body with length and the guy can move. Pastore put up a 4.88 40 during testing and then went on to dominate during 1 on 1 competition. This is a true hidden gem with massive potential, upside that will see college offers arrive soon. 4. ‘23 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="150313" first="Keion" last="Irby"] (5’10 195) - Wilson Central - If you are looking for a physical power back that can run and catch the ball, Irby is your guy. The Wildcats junior to be displayed a lot of skills at camp that certainly put himself on the radar as a running back underclassmen to watch. He is well put together (college body) which makes him tough to stop when he is running down hill but he can also catch it out of the backfield and put on those burners. Look for Irby to become the bell cow back for his Wilson Central team this coming Fall and a player to watch going forward. 5. ‘23 (C/OG) [player_tooltip player_id="118718" first="Cal" last="Grubbs"] (6’4 280) - Maryville - Any camp this offseason that Grubbs has attended thus far, he could easily be named the top O-line performer of camp, that’s how consistent and dominant he has been. Last Saturday at Oakland high school, it was another stellar performance from Grubbs where it keeps having me questioning why hasn’t Power Five, Division 1 schools offered this guy yet? It’s a mystery right now but I promise it won’t be soon as this is one of the top interior O-line prospects in the country for the 2023 class. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135155" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Cal-Grubbs-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 6. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="134733" first="Emmett" last="Hegland"] (6’0 192) - Midway - I have been around Hegland all offseason and his performance last Saturday was his best showing yet. Between running a 4.59 forty during testing and throwing timely, crisp passes during positional and 1 on 1’s, Hegland really took a step in his progression and his recruitment. An athletic, cerebral young man with leadership qualities and a knack for making plays in the right moments, this Green Wave signal caller is in prime position for Mr. Football consideration by season’s end and a stronger look by collegiate coaches. 7. (WR) Willie Butts (6’0 175) - Wilcox Co. (Ga) - One of a handful of out of state talents to attend, Butts earned himself top receiver honors by camp’s end and should definitely be a guy that jumps onto college radars sooner than later. Athletic and quick off the line, Butts is a big play threat that gets in and out of breaks very fast and knows how to use his body to find, create his own space. This Peach State product also has good size and length, so he sports the college prototype look while also having the athletic, home run threat speed coaches love. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135201" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Willie-Butts-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 8. (OL) [player_tooltip player_id="102052" first="Ben" last="Caviness"] (6’4 282) - Christian Brothers - Caviness came to the Middle Tennessee area ready to compete last Saturday and his performance really took his recruiting stock up to another level. The Purple Wave lineman clocked a 5.19 forty then went on to have a very strong 5-10-5 time as well as look smooth during positional drills. Caviness then handled himself very well during 1 on 1 competition. He is well balanced and plays with a feisty, mean disposition. Caviness is very talented and should see his recruitment take a strong spike over the coming months. 9. ‘23 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="150306" first="Jackson" last="Cassidy"] (6’3 190) - McKenzie - Cassidy was one prospect I was eager to check out as this was the 1st time seeing him in person and he definitely looks the part and has tons of tools to develop into a Division 1 quarterback. A two sport star (baseball), Cassidy displayed fluid body movements along with sound mechanics and good arm strength. He had moments where it showed me where he needs further crafting but the tools and upside is definitely there. Cassidy holds an offer from MTSU and I fully expect his offer list to grow very soon. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135169" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Jackson-Cassidy-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 10. (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="150851" first="David" last="Calderon"] (5’9 1/2 182) - First Assembly - One of the more pleasant surprises of camp had to be Calderon as he impressed many on hand and showed me he is a talent to keep an eye on during this upcoming Fall season. Well built physically, Calderon is a nice looking athletic back that showed at camp that he has some giddy up by running a very good 40 time and putting up strong numbers in both the 5-10-5 and L-Drill. This West Tennessee product certainly has college abilities, so now it’s just about producing and being seen by the right collegiate staff. Others Considered: (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id="118715" first="Ryan" last="Hacker"] - Beech, (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id="119404" first="Mason" last="Richardson"] - Summit, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="102160" first="Stephen" last="Swoner"] - Mt. Juliet, ’23 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="155405" first="Demari" last="Braden"] - Marshall Co.,‘24 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="149142" first="Jalyric" last="Cullom"] - Upperman, (OG) [player_tooltip player_id="102056" first="Ryan" last="Wright"] - Northview Acad., ’24 (QB) Gauge Nesmith - Southside (AL), ’24 (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id="149173" first="Owen" last="Borba"] - Wilson Central   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135225" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/56-Demari-Braden-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" />