Recruiting Weekly Recap
After several weeks of great camp action, we hit a dead period last week and it will extend just a little while longer until ramping things back up in July and then heading right into the Fall football season, starting in August.
Even though it was a quiet week, we still had a few big stories break and several prospects took their names off the recruiting board.
Top Notch Talent Make Commitments
While we might have started the dead period last week, it didn’t stop a few high level in-state prospects from making their college commitments. Four of the best defensive backs you will find in this state for the 2022 class made their decisions and all four have a chance to make major impacts on the next level.
Those four prospects are: Jaylen Lewis Jaylen Lewis 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Haywood | 2022 State TN – Haywood, (Arkansas), James Reed III James Reed III 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2022 State TN – Father Ryan (Arkansas St.), D.J. Burks D.J. Burks 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Maryville | 2022 State TN – Maryville (App State) and Kenzy Paul Kenzy Paul 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB McCallie | 2022 State TN from McCallie who committed to Vanderbilt.
All four of these defensive backs are highly talented young men that all bring a little something different to the playing field. Lewis has big upside as a possible lockdown cover corner in his time with Arkansas or at worst develops into a ball hawking free safety. Reed is a hidden gem that is headed to a place at Arkansas State where he can develop and turn himself into a possible All-Conference player in the Sun Belt.
Burks is an undervalued talent that really should have seen his recruitment spike more than it did. Nevertheless, App State is receiving a smart, physical safety that can play in the box or cover down the field. Paul is a versatile, big and physical defensive back that is headed to Vanderbilt as a cornerback but more than likely translates to safety in the college game.
Excellent additions made by these four programs adding four defensive backs that all fit the respected schools they committed to with the opportunity to excel on the next level.
Jackson Area O-lineman Commits to Louisville
– The Cardinals dipped into Tennessee last week by adding a new commit to their offensive line in Jackson North-Side (TN) rising senior Izaiah Reed Izaiah Reed 6'6" | 275 lbs | OL Jackson North-Side | 2022 State TN . The 6’6 Jackson area lineman is still a ways off from reaching his maximum capabilities but has strong upside along with the size to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Reed was much of an unknown prospect through much of the process but really jumped onto the scene back in the spring when coaches started getting a hold of his junior film. What Reeds shows on tape is length, active feet and the ability to develop into a solid pass protector in his time at Louisville. Reed also has the size and frame to pack on weight and move inside to guard.
The Louisville coaching staff targeted Reed early and remained hot on his trail up into his commitment. They had to stay after Reed as several others like Boston College, Colorado, Memphis, Ole Miss and Tulane pursued the West Tennessee product. This is a strong pickup for the Cards as Reed shows the potential to develop into a starting college tackle or guard in his time at Louisville.
Two High Level Recruits Adds New Power Five Offers
– College offers did not go out last week like normal but two big offers did go out to two of the best overall prospects in the 2022 class. Germantown (DB) Kody Jones Kody Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Germantown | 2022 State TN added a big offer from Florida and Hillsboro (OT) Jacob Hood Jacob Hood 6'8" | 330 lbs | OL Hillsboro | 2022 TN picked one up from TCU. Jones is currently committed to Michigan while Hood has a current top five of Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Miss State and Ole Miss.
The Gators extending an offer to Jones could throw a wrench into his college plans. While the Red Devils star defensive back has been committed to Michigan for a while now and remains solid with them but Florida presents a big opportunity for Jones that he may not be able to look past. I would definitely watch out for the Gators going forward.
Hood appears set with his Top Five schools but he may listen a little harder at TCU and what they are offering. The Horned Frogs have been more active with recruiting in the state of Tennessee lately and have ties to a certain program here in Nashville that Hood trains with, so TCU could become a player. They may be a little too late though as I feel Hood could be close to committing, especially with the football season right around the corner and his intentions to commit before that all got started.
CPA Athlete Could Be Next to Breakout
– One guy that I have been all over since last Fall is CPA (Ath) Reid Williford Reid Williford 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH CPA | 2022 State TN and last week, the Lions star picked up a nice offer from Charlotte to go along with several others but I feel they won’t be his last. Williford who has already taken a visit to Arkansas St. (who has offered), could be on the verge of breaking into a new atmosphere of recruiting as he has the size, physical tools and upside that D1, possibly P5 coaches like working with.
Williford is a complete teammate that will do anything needed to help his team win. He has the ability to excel at multiple positions from receiver to linebacker and back to offense as a H-back or tight end. His value to a football team is very strong and I believe after coaches see updated senior film, they will decide to enhance their recruitment of this Nashville based prospect.