NCEC Combine Brings Out Stars, Breakout Prospects

The good Lord provided a beautiful Sunday for football with an opportunity for talent from all across the state to make a name for themselves at the #NCEC Nashville Combine and boy did we have some standouts! Stretching all the way from Knoxville to Memphis and most places in between, top level talent embarked on Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where there were multiple 4-star already made prospects along with several under the radar guys who had breakthrough days. Over on the offensive side of the ball, the talent was strong, especially at the wide receiver position where you had multiple D1 level prospects, including [player_tooltip player_id="207352" first="London" last="Humphreys"], [player_tooltip player_id="102283" first="Ben" last="Marshall"], 2024 CPA standout [player_tooltip player_id="149166" first="Ondre" last="Evans"], 2024 FCS receiver [player_tooltip player_id="149160" first="Brock" last="Montgomery"], Houston (TN) receiver [player_tooltip player_id="185564" first="Triston" last="Lurry"], [player_tooltip player_id="153948" first="Bryson" last="Vowell"] from Anderson Co. and a rising star in McGavock wideout [player_tooltip player_id="151256" first="Demitrius" last="Bell"]. Bell is silly explosive and athletic and was the hardest man to cover at camp. Humphreys is a nice looking prospect with good size, length and the ability to take the top off. Montgomery has been stellar so far this offseason whether that’s in camps or 7v7 practices, the dude has been catching everything. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Silly explosive!! ...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCEC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCEC</a> C/o my man <a href="https://twitter.com/db1_1o?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@db1_1o</a> & his speed, great separation here at yesterday’s camp Others are finding out what I’ve known...elite talent!! <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneTN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LoyaltyPerform?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoyaltyPerform</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/elitefootballac?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elitefootballac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSS</a> <a href="https://t.co/omSZVjCZvd">pic.twitter.com/omSZVjCZvd</a> — Chris Smith (@CSmithScout) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1488216960441753600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Evans is an impressive young athlete that still has two years of high school ball left, which is scary for opponents but he already holds P5 offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Lurry is a guy that I was able to see for the 1st time in person yesterday and let me tell ya, the guy can fly! The Mustangs wideout is a little undersized but more than makes up for it with his quick get-off and separation speed down the field. Vowell is a big dude that shields defenders well with his body but showed on Sunday his superb route running. One other athlete to know about that lined up at receiver but can play multiple positions is Davidson Academy (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="201098" first="Courtland" last="Simmons"]. The Bears two way athlete had multiple strong reps both lining up in the slot or coming out of the backfield. Simmons is a well put together prospect that should see his stock increase over the coming months. The Quarterback position wasn’t as stacked as some camps in the past but there was still some high caliber arms in attendance. Among some of the top performers for quarterback include [player_tooltip player_id="150306" first="Jackson" last="Cassidy"] from McKenzie, Connor Swann from Spring Hill, 2024 Lipscomb Acad. (TN) passer [player_tooltip player_id="119096" first="Braden" last="Graham"], 2024 Beech (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="258674" first="Brian" last="Rager"], 2024 Pearl Cohn (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="258845" first="Keshawn" last="Tarleton"] and 2025 Alabama native and Austin high school signal caller J.L. Davis. Graham is the biggest recruit among this group but it was Rager who had the best day with Tarleton and Davis coming in close behind. All three of these passers had strong moments throughout camp and showed why they should and will be college level recruits. Moving into the trenches, both the offensive and defensive lines were stacked with some beefy talented guys, including a few prospects already on the Power Five radar. Maryville (TN) center [player_tooltip player_id="118718" first="Cal" last="Grubbs"] was a beast as always and he looks in better shape compared to when I saw him late last year. Expect more Power Five offers to come his way very soon! One new name on the O-line to know about who had a breakout day is LaVergne (T/G) [player_tooltip player_id="228149" first="Derrick" last="Keith"]. This Middle Tennessee product has nice size along with long arms and low body fat. The more he becomes comfortable coming off his injury, the better Keith will develop. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thank you ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a>⁩ for having me out! Great camp and competition! Measured in at: 6’4” 288 lbs with 81” wing span!! Sorry to repost. Forgot to add measurements! ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/LeverageLineman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeverageLineman</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/SaintsNashville?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SaintsNashville</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/NatlPlaymkrsAca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlPlaymkrsAca</a>⁩ 🦍 <a href="https://t.co/oXEFdmWqwo">pic.twitter.com/oXEFdmWqwo</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="118718" first="Cal" last="Grubbs"] (@CalGrubbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalGrubbs/status/1488303693002948612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> A few other standout offensive linemen from camp include Wilson Central (T/G) [player_tooltip player_id="102266" first="Aaron" last="Knueven"], Bearden (G/C) [player_tooltip player_id="258661" first="Isaiah" last="Harvey"], 2024 (G/C) [player_tooltip player_id="149173" first="Owen" last="Borba"] also from Wilson Central, 2024 CPA O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id="149856" first="John" last="Wayne Oliver"] and 2024 Maryville (C/G) [player_tooltip player_id="207326" first="Logan" last="McGlamery"]. Their counterparts on the D-line had some dudes and more depth with talent, so yes it was a long day for the blockers on offense. Two guys who had big time performances and certainly increased their recruiting stocks were 2024 Powell edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id="207299" first="Steven" last="Soles, Jr"] and 2024 Wooddale defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="149317" first="Kavion" last="Benton"]. Both Soles, Jr and Benton were unblockable on the edge as offensive tackles had a hard time keeping up with their quick get-off and speed around the edge. Benton already holds two D1 offers (Florida & Memphis) but Soles, Jr should be joining him in that category very soon. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> C/o the quick get-off & hands shown here by ’24 Powell (TN) edge rusher <a href="https://twitter.com/6kSteven?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@6kSteven</a> ...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCEC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCEC</a> Future is bright for this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EastTN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EastTN</a> product! <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneTN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/elitefootballac?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elitefootballac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSS</a> <a href="https://t.co/qVaAbfYLQV">pic.twitter.com/qVaAbfYLQV</a> — Chris Smith (@CSmithScout) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1487988557276930060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Those two weren’t the only ones who had solid days from the D-line. A few others to note include 2024 Upperman edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id="207308" first="Clayton" last="Harris"] and 2024 Stewarts Creek defensive tackle B.J. Peter. The linebacker group was headlined by Mt. Juliet stud [player_tooltip player_id="102205" first="Ethan" last="Crisp"] who looked excellent during drills but others beside him had strong days that certainly helped put them on the map. Carter (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201081" first="Jackson" last="Steele"] is an explosive athlete at linebacker that has an agile lower body and a frame to take on more weight. The guy can move and cover in space, which he showed during 1 on 1 competition. 2024 Oakland (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="278377" first="Korey" last="Smith"] is physically put together very well and you can see why Eastern Ky and Florida Atlantic have already offered him. Two more underclassmen who stood out yesterday that you can expect to see on the recruiting scene very soon is 2024 CPA (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="228694" first="Crews" last="Law"] and 2025 Page linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="219439" first="Eric" last="Hazzard"]. Law already sports an offer from Eastern Ky and will continue adding more as college coaches check out this athletic and physical tackler. Hazzard is still a freshman when it comes to schooling but he already has the size, body and skill set of an upperclassman. This guy is a definite name to keep an eye out for over the coming years. Besides the receivers on offense, possibly the deepest position group at camp yesterday was the defensive backs. It was a large collection of talented DB’s that showed up on Sunday and several had strong performances. The top name in attendance was 2024 Lipscomb Acad. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="149389" first="Kaleb" last="Beasley"] and he did just fine but it was his fellow teammates at defensive back that stole the show. Hillsboro (TN) cover corner [player_tooltip player_id="133432" first="Syncere" last="Safeeullah"] continued his strong offseason with another stellar performance at camp where he worked both outside and at nickel. This guy is breaking out into a star and any indication from his recent offer from Boston College, Safeeullah will see his recruiting stock continue to rise over the coming weeks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Syncerly Yours!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/SyncereSafe30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SyncereSafe30</a> is seeing his stock soar coming off a huge week of offers. The 6’3 corner is becoming one of the top@prospects in the state! <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlPlaymkrsAca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlPlaymkrsAca</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/elitefootballac?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elitefootballac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BallHawkU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ballhawku</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DreamTeam7v7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DreamTeam7v7</a> <a href="https://t.co/73gBFInBXI">pic.twitter.com/73gBFInBXI</a> — NPA (@NCEC_Recruiting) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting/status/1487977961924046849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 2024 Oakland safety [player_tooltip player_id="152933" first="Stephen" last="Ellison"] had his best performance yet of the offseason and was almost dominant in everything he did on the field yesterday. Another rising junior safety who had a strong showing too was Bradley Central defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="149391" first="Tito" last="Williams, Jr"]. This 6’2 long and rangy safety had several strong moments yesterday which justified his offer earlier in the day from North Texas. Two others to note who stood out yesterday was Independence (S) Brooks Sapone and a good looking youngster in 2026 Knox. Central defensive back Chaston Smith. Watch out for Smith as this guy has all the tools to develop into one of the top cover corners in the country. Several other prospects had strong moments throughout camp on Sunday and we will be going over some of those this week as we continue to recap yesterday’s action at the #NCEC Nashville Combine. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-281499" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/20220130_130027-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" />