#TNHSFB: 2023 Breakthrough Stars
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Less than two weeks away from the start of the 2021 season, we continue to look at the prospects from each classification that is close to breaking out on the recruiting scene but has yet to get there. The guys…
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Continue ReadingLess than two weeks away from the start of the 2021 season, we continue to look at the prospects from each classification that is close to breaking out on the recruiting scene but has yet to get there.
The guys listed below are all talented and have college abilities. They have a big opportunity in front of them this year to develop further and impress collegiate coaches in hopes for more interest and offers.
1. (Ath) Devin Johnson II Devin Johnson II 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Briarcrest | 2023 State TN (6’2 180) – Briarcrest Christian
– It has been a semi breakout summer thus far for Johnson but not fully as he still needs to put in a little more work before he reaches the Power Five, D1 status. He is close as scouts and coaches are liking what they see from Johnson and his upside on the next level. This Saints rising junior is listed as an athlete because he could excel on either side of the ball but Johnson is leaning more towards becoming a full time receiver. He is fast and long with a 6’2 frame that will continue to grow. Offers are on the horizon for this West Tennessee athletic prospect.
2. (RB) Ahmad Miller Ahmad Miller 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Whitehaven | 2023 State TN (6’0 195) – Briarcrest Christian
– The next great running back out of the greater Memphis area could be Miller but that depends on him and his work throughout the coming football year. The Saints are having to replace some key players from last year’s offense and will need some guys to step up. Miller looks to be at the top of that list for the Saints as they plan to give him the ball a lot and make him their workhorse. He is a big, physical runner with good speed and very nice balance. He has the upside to lead D2-Class AAA in rushing this year and the more he produces, the more college coaches will look his way.
3. (C/OG) Cal Grubbs Cal Grubbs 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Maryville | 2023 State TN (6’4 280) – Maryville
– Some may wonder why Grubbs is on this list, well it’s because the guy is still waiting for those Power Five and D1 offers to arrive but he plans to earn them this coming season. Yes Grubbs does hold offers from Ole Miss, Eastern Ky and Tennessee Tech but his work this offseason yielded more. He will just have to make it happen over the coming months where he plays for one of the best programs in the state and he is viewed already as an offensive leader. Grubbs is one of the best technicians from the O-line in the 2023 class and he is out to prove those abilities this coming season.
4. (DT) Marceo Collins, Jr Marceo Collins, Jr 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Baylor School | 2023 State TN (6’3 255) – Baylor School
– Collins, Jr could be the closest guy on this list to cracking Power Five status as talented defensive linemen are hard to find and this Red Raiders rising junior has talent and then some. Collins, Jr is an athletic force from the middle that is one of the better pass rushing defensive tackles we have in this state regardless of classification. He already holds an offer from Arkansas St. with several other coaches looking around, thinking about extending an offer. All indications point towards Collins, Jr having a monster breakout junior season to propel his recruiting into a whole new stratosphere.
5. (QB) Colbey Lamberth Colbey Lamberth 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Dickson Co. | 2023 State TN (6’3 ½ 200) – Dickson Co.
– It’s a fresh start at Dickson Co. for Lamberth and a place where he can not only succeed but develop his game further in hopes of playing D1 football next season. Lamberth is a big pocket passer with a cannon right arm and the confidence to lead his offense. He is a better athlete than some may think and has really grown into his body over the past two years. The Dickson Co. coaching staff have given him the keys to the car, so expect Lamberth to throw it a lot this year and put up big numbers. If he continues to develop further, look for immediate results in the recruiting world.
6. (DB) Langston Rogers Langston Rogers 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’0 180) – Lausanne
– The 2021 Lynx football team is loaded with talent but the guy who may have the biggest upside with a possible bright future in college football is Rogers. This 6’0 athletic and versatile defensive back is headed into his junior season as a starter with responsibility on his shoulders to lock down one side of the field and he has the abilities to do so. He is also athletic enough to play every other position in the secondary as well. Rogers put together a strong offseason of camps and training that should have him ready for a big junior year and eventual big time offers.
7. (WR) Marcellus Jackson Marcellus Jackson 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Fulton | 2023 State TN (5’10 175) – Fulton
– Holding an offer in hand already from Austin Peay, Jackson is poised to add to his offer list this season as the Falcons athletic receiver looks to breakout this year as one of the top playmakers in the state. Jackson is one of the better natural athletes you will find in Tennessee. He could easily play on defense at defensive back and excel but his college upside sits best on offense where he can have the ball in his hands on a consistent basis. If all goes according to plan, Jackson will breakout this year and become a highly recruited prospect.
8. (OT/G) Luke Needham Luke Needham 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Houston | 2023 State TN (6’5 300) – Houston
– Among the deep crop of O-lineman for the 2023 class, Needham is in that group but he has yet to reach that recruiting status that others may already be sitting at headed into the coming season. This junior year looks to be a breakout party for Needham as he is a year older, bigger and more mature and ready to dominate the opposition. Needham is a big guy that moves well and has the versatility to play right tackle or slide inside at the college level. He is a good technician too that will only develop and get better the more he plays. Needham will haul in the college offers, it’s just a matter of when not if.
9. (Ath) Demitrius Bell Demitrius Bell 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 State TN (6’1 170) – McGavock
– Bell will be one of those guys that many do not know about heading into the season but by season’s end, everybody will! This is a dynamic, game changing type talent with his speed, length and natural athleticism. A two way talent that could excel at receiver or defensive back, Bell has burst onto the scouting scene this summer with his continued work and dedication to his craft. If he can take his momentum and strong work ethic into the season, Bell could establish himself as one of the best overall athletes in the entire state for the 2023 class.
10. (TE) Ben Marshall Ben Marshall 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Blackman | 2023 State TN (6’4 210) – Blackman
– Many may not know about Marshall at the moment and his recruitment might not take off for several months but this guy has talent, upside and will be given every opportunity to produce this coming year. The Blaze junior tight end has nice size at 6’4 and a frame that can take on a lot of weight. He also has tremendous hands along with the speed and agility to get up and down the field. Marshall does have a lot to keep working on and developing but the potential is there for this guy to become a possible D1 recruited prospect.
Others Considered: (QB) Peyton Sharpe Peyton Sharpe 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Oak Ridge | 2023 TN – Oak Ridge, (WR) Dylan Wroblewski Dylan Wroblewski 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN – Lipscomb Acad., (WR) Adarion Patton Adarion Patton 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Bearden Highschool | 2023 State TN – Karns, (OL) Nate Bledsoe Nate Bledsoe 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN – Briarcrest Chrst, (DT) Ethan Jones Ethan Jones 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Lausanne | 2023 State TN – St. Benedict’s, (DE) Javon Ekuaze Javon Ekuaze 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL McGavock | 2023 State TN – McGavock, (DE) Bradley Cannon Bradley Cannon 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Elizabethton | 2023 State TN – Elizabethton, (LB) Drew Scott Drew Scott 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lausanne | 2023 State TN – Lausanne, (LB) Taylor Wein Taylor Wein 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL Nolensville | 2023 State TN – Nolensville, (Ath) Noah Vaughn Noah Vaughn 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Maryville | 2023 State TN – Maryville