The Five: #TN2022 College Camp Standouts
The summer camp season has been more than active, it’s been nuts! Prospects from all across the state have been on the road for the month of June, visiting and camping with collegiate programs and working at earning those elusive offers.
Here are five guys who have really taken advantage of camp season and pushed their recruitments into a whole new level.
1. (TE) Jackson Long Jackson Long 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN (6’5 220) – Beech
– One of the biggest risers up the in-state recruiting charts this cycle has been Long and he has really positioned himself this summer to possibly receive multiple Power Five offers in the very near future. The biggest thing Long showed at camps was his size and ability to run. Long can really get down field quickly and he does a great job at using his body to shield off defenders. This Buccaneer stud tight end is a legit D1, Power Five talent that should see an in-flux of recruiting over the coming weeks.
Offers: Akron, Army, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Ky, Florida St, Miami OH, Tn Tech, Tulane, Western Ky, Western Michigan, Yale
Schools Interested: Arkansas St., Auburn, Charlotte, Duke, Indiana, Michigan, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Va Tech
2. (OG) Ian Poe Ian Poe 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Tullahoma | 2022 State TN (6’4 300) – Tullahoma
– Poe was a busy guy in the month of June, camping at several high quality programs and impressing everyone along the way. Among his stops last month, Poe camped with Duke, Memphis, Vanderbilt and several others. He could be on the verge of breaking out into D1 status as Poe showed during camps his ability to get off the line fast and explode into defenders while maintaining excellent balance. Poe is well put together and is still far from reaching his maximum potential. This guy is a worker and is really starting to come into his own.
Offers: Austin Peay, Eastern Ky, Gardner Webb, Tn Tech, UT Martin, Western Ky
Schools Interested: Ball St., Coastal Carolina, Duke, Florida St., Georgia St., Jacksonville St., Memphis, MTSU, South Alabama, Vanderbilt
3. (LB) Ben Bolton Ben Bolton 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Lausanne | 2022 State TN (6’3 210) – Lausanne
– Bolton has gone from an unknown prospect to one of the Top 10 in-state linebackers for the 2022 class. This West Tennessee standout jumped onto the scene late in the spring and then immediately took his hot streak into summer camps and continued to impress. Bolton has nice size with a frame that can add on more weight along with the ability to run and cover. The Lynx linebacker was able to camp with several solid programs and has attained a few offers but a big senior campaign could be huge for his recruitment.
Offers: Austin Peay, Columbia, Harvard, Morehead St., Navy, UT-Martin, Yale
Schools Interested: Arkansas St., Army, Buffalo, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Western Ky, Wofford
4. (OG/C) Phillip Gray Phillip Gray 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Ensworth | 2022 State TN (6’3 300) – Ensworth
– A burly mauler in the middle, Gray has been one of the top camp performers thus far and he has done so at a few Power Five camps, in front of top level collegiate coaches. Gray has been on the radar of scouts in the Middle TN area for a while now but this camp season has really helped prop his recruitment into another level. The Tigers interior lineman has handled himself well during 1 on 1 competitions, almost dominating the opposition, displaying his nimble, flexible lower body and overall strength. Coaches are diving deep into Gray, so expect his stock to continue to rise over the coming months.
Offers: Elon, Richmond
Schools Interested: Air Force, Furman, Ga Southern, Ga Tech, Kansas, Memphis, N.C. State, Princeton, SEMO, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest
5. (TE) Andrew Paige Andrew Paige 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Beech | 2022 State TN (6’5 205) – Beech
– If you’re looking for a guy with untapped potential and major upside, Paige is your guy. Transitioning to football from a life of playing on the hardwood, Paige has put together strong camp performances this summer which in turn has put his talents on the map of several high quality college programs. Paige was once considered a possible receiver but has now embraced the role of tight end. That should spark a major surge in recruiting for the Buccaneers rising senior, especially if he puts together strong senior film.
Offers: Akron, Arkansas St., Army, Central Michigan, Eastern Ky, Miami OH, Navy
Schools Interested: Coastal Carolina, Duke, Kent St., Louisiana, Memphis, Ole Miss, UAB, Vanderbilt
Others Considered: (DB) James Reed III James Reed III 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2022 State TN – Father Ryan, (WR) Tommy Winton Tommy Winton 5'10" | 190 lbs | WR Knoxville Catholic | 2022 State TN – Knox. Catholic, (LB) Caulen Dunn Caulen Dunn 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Collierville | 2022 State TN – Collierville, (DB) Jaden Lyles Jaden Lyles 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN – Lipscomb Academy, (QB) Tevin Carter Tevin Carter 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Kirby | 2022 State TN – P.U.R.E. Academy
(Winton – Knox. Catholic WR)