#AustinPeay: Top Camp Performers

Between two days of action in Clarksville, Tennessee, the Austin Peay coaching staff hosted a large group of prospects that worked at impressing the Governor coaches in hopes of earning an offer. Below are ten prospects who had breakout performances and places themselves at the top of the list for an Austin Peay offer (A few guys listed below did receive a Govs offer) 1. (QB) George Hamsley (6'4 200) - MUS - Saturday in Clarksville was a breakout performance for Hamsley as he not only put himself on the Govs radar for an offer but many other schools as well. The Owls senior quarterback has college size along with the confidence to run an offense. He also showed a big arm and accurate passing that certainly translates to the next level. Hamsley is also a good athlete. He isn't the runner but can move and work the pocket well. This West Tennessee product honestly has every tool to be recruited and compete on FCS, if not D1 level, so this coming season could be huge towards his college landing spot. 2. (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id="175742" first="Branson" last="Conner"] (6'7 320) - Whitehaven - There was no question about it at camp that Conner was the biggest human being in attendance and when he stepped on the field, he played like it and almost dominated everything he did. Conner is a massive young man that actually has a really good body that will continue to mature going forward. He did show areas that need improvement but the guy is powerful and plays with a bit of a mean streak. Conner has the developing athleticism to play tackle on the next level but at worst you can slide him inside at guard and he will own that position. This coming season will be interesting to see how Conner develops his game. 3. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="102055" first="Ashton" last="Strother"] (6'2 210) - Christian Brothers - Strother took full advantage of his time in Clarksville last Friday, impressing everyone in attendance, including the Governors coaching staff. The Purple Wave signal caller put to rest any idea that Strother can't throw the ball on the next level as he displayed great arm strength along with accurate passing and poise. His confidence about himself was a glaring positive, which I believe helped him perform well in front of Austin Peay head coach Scotty Walden. Do not be surprised if the Govs decide to offer Strother and others to follow suit as this West Tennessee passer is legit. 4. (WR) R.J. Garrison (6'1 192) - Germantown - If you get called out at the end of camp as a top performer, then you know the coaches have been paying attention and like what they saw. That's how it was for Garrison up in Clarksville last Saturday as he ended the day as one of the top receiver prospects in attendance. He worked mainly in the slot showing off his quickness, physical game play and ability to work deep. Garrison is a well rounded prospect and natural athlete that warrants bigger looks and that should come after a big senior season. 5. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="152977" first="Clay" last="Barrett"] (6'4 230) - Cookeville - Last Friday's camp with Austin Peay was a great learning experience for Barrett as he took in a lot of great teaching and applied to the field during 1 on 1 action. This summer has been great for Barrett as he has worked hard to put himself on the map as a college worthy recruit and last weekend in Clarksville, he continued that upward path. The Cavs senior defensive end has some of the best quicks off the line in the state and he is a big guy with a physical mentality. The coming months will be huge for his future recruitment. 6. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102083" first="Cole" last="Becker"] (6'2 215) - Father Ryan - Becker certainly saved his best performance for last as last weekend at the Governors Prospect Camp, the Fighting Irish linebacker displayed a bevy of skills that earned him top honors by camp's end. What stood out the most about Becker was his improved lower body quickness and ability to drop in coverage and handle himself just fine. Becker is a physical, inside backer that has always been stout vs. the run but could now be developing into a multi talented linebacker that can cover in college as well. 7. (OL) [player_tooltip player_id="102052" first="Ben" last="Caviness"] (6'4 270) - Christian Brothers - Caviness was a busy guy this summer, attending a lot of college camps and walking away as a better player each time. Well last weekend in Clarksville, Caviness might have had his best performance yet. The Purple Wave versatile offensive lineman worked at multiple positions throughout camp and handled himself just fine, especially over at right tackle. Caviness does fit best on the next level at guard but has the athleticism and footwork to swing outside if needed. This West Tennessee product does hold a few FCS offers but could be on the verge of adding more. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135151" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Benjamin-Caviness-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 8. ‘23 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="102260" first="Devin" last="Johnson II"] (6'1 185) - Briarcrest Christian - There weren't a lot of underclassmen that had standout, break through performances at the Austin Peay camp but Johnson was definitely one of them. This guy is a talented young man that will be one to watch this coming season and over the next year. He has a nice physical frame along with the right length to give defensive backs problems. Johnson is an excellent route runner that uses his speed to get on top of defenders and beat them deep down the field. This Saints rising junior could also excel on defense as a potential cover corner or safety as well. Expect many offers to come his way very soon. 9. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="153050" first="Dewain" last="Trotter"] (5'9 175) - Pearl Cohn - Aggressive, athletic and versatile. Those are the key traits that makeup Trotter and he displayed all those last weekend at the Austin Peay Prospect Camp. Trotter may be a bit undersized but he plays much bigger and is fearless the moment he walks onto the field. The Firebirds senior defensive back mainly worked at nickel back throughout camp but has the versatility to be plugged into multiple roles within the secondary. He has been close to an offer all summer but the trigger hasn't been pulled. Maybe after this camp with the Govs, that will change soon. 10. ‘23 (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="102262" first="Jamarr" last="Jones"] (6'2 255) - Pope John Paul - One of the surprises of camp had to be Jones as he had the Governors defensive coaching staff talking about him and speaking his praises throughout camp. Jones was one of the hardest defensive linemen to block at camp as he used his quick get-off, active hands and pass rushing knowledge to dominate the opposition most of the day. He is a bit undersized and considered a tweener right now but from a pure pass rushing ability, Jones has the skill set to cause damage on the next level. Others Considered: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102062" first="Braden" last="Kaiser"] - Siegel, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102041" first="JaQuez" last="Bradley"] - Whitehaven, (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id="150894" first="Luke" last="Moore"] - FACS, (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id="150832" first="Jayden" last="Robinson"] - Pearl Cohn, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="153000" first="Pierce" last="Scholato"] - White House, (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id="150898" first="Kyler" last="Herring"] - MUS, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102112" first="LaMarion" last="Pierce"] - Marshall Co.