Weekly Recruiting Recap (May 24th-30th)
The calm before the storm….that’s what last week was in the state of Tennessee when it comes to football recruiting. Things were quiet but you can understand that as starting tomorrow, the college dead period lifts and the wild wild west of recruiting begins!
Lead Story
Head coach Trent Dilfer and his Lipscomb Academy coaching staff are certainly preparing for a big 2021 Fall football season as they bring back a talented roster that has only gotten better and deeper this offseason. The main man toting the ball for the Mustangs is 3-star back Alex Broome Alex Broome 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN but he now has a running mate and someone that brings big play abilities as a 3rd down back.
Coming over from the East Tennessee region, senior to be running back Ayden Houston officially transferred to Lipscomb Academy last week and brings yet another big play weapon to the Mustangs offense. Houston is one of the top returning producing backs in the state that brings a lot of versatility and athleticism to his position. He is a guy that can be used in a variety of ways, even playing the slot on occasions, catching passes. He joins current 4-star (TE) Sam Roush as offseason transfers for the Mustangs offense that is poised for a state title run.
Offer King of the Week
‘22 Maryville (WR) Markel Fortenberry Markel Fortenberry 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Maryville | 2022 State TN (Offers: Tulane, Richmond & William & Mary)
– This 6’5 wideout from out East continues to rack up the offers and place himself as one of the top receiver prospects in the state. Fortenberry has had a busy spring season adding several offers across the country but has yet to reach the Power Five level. That could change over the coming month as the Rebels rising senior hits the college camp circuit and coaches are able to see him move and work in person
Underclassmen Spotlight
– This was a very quiet week for the in-state underclassmen and it’s understandable. The recruiting dead period officially ends at midnight tonight and college camp season begins, which means it’s time for recruits to hit the road, step foot on a college campus and finally meet coaches in person. Many underclassmen will see an increase with their recruitments after this stretch due to the simple fact that most high school football prospects haven’t competed in front of college coaches for almost two years. MBA (TN) star quarterback Marcel Reed Marcel Reed 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB MBA | 2023 State TN did receive an offer from Miami but overall, it’s the calm before the storm and us scouts are expecting a big storm of offers coming for the 2023 class.
Etc ……
– Oakland (TN) two way talent Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Oakland | 2022 State TN finally received his 1st Division 1 offer when Western Ky extended one last week and it won’t be his last. The Patriots star athlete is one of the more underrated talents we have right now for the ‘22 class but hopefully after a busy and successful camp month, his recruitment will finally see an uptick that his talents certainly warrant.
– Beech teammates (TE) Jackson Long Jackson Long 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN and (WR) Andrew Paige Andrew Paige 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN are two of the top guys on my list that I fully expect to see an increase of offers when they hit the camp scene next month. Just last week, both guys received offers from Miami Ohio and it’s a continuation of their upward recruiting trajectory. It would not be surprising at all to see both Long and Paige find themselves in the conversation for Power Five offers before the month of June is over.
– While it might have been a lite week of recruiting news, a few guys did see their 1st college offers finally arrive. Brentwood (TN) teammates (S) Jake Brock and (LB) Carter Patton added offers from Valparaiso as did Brentwood Acad. (DB) Kaleb Lyons Kaleb Lyons 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Brentwood Academy | 2022 State TN . Alcoa (TN) rising senior quarterback Caden Buckles added his 1st college offer last week from UVA-Wise after performing well at their camp. This is a good sign to see new prospects add offers in lure for what should be the busiest and most active recruiting month of June that we have ever seen before!