Prospect Watch: Film Breakdown (Volume II)
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Jumping back in the lab and into evaluation mode, here we breakdown five more prospects that sit clearly on the collegiate radar and prospects to keep an eye on over the coming camp months and Fall football season. 1. (WR)…
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Continue ReadingJumping back in the lab and into evaluation mode, here we breakdown five more prospects that sit clearly on the collegiate radar and prospects to keep an eye on over the coming camp months and Fall football season.
1. (WR) Reed Linder Reed Linder 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN (5’10 180) – Briarcrest Christian
– One of the top returning statistical receivers for the Fall season will be Linder and he is a dynamic, big play guy that can take his game to a whole new level, especially during these offseason months. The Saints senior wideout brings a lot of tools to the football field but his biggest trait may be his speed and ability to break away from defenders. Linder creates a nice get-off then explodes into the open field with quickness. His ability to break open is also due to his nice separation at the line and route running skills that will only continue to develop over time. He has great hands and concentration that provides his quarterback a safety valve and a dependable receiver that tends to always be in the right spot.
Linder is also a physically well built young man that will step into the college weight room the moment he steps onto campus and will more than handle his own. This guy is a worker that constantly goes hard at developing his body and craft on the field. He is also a great teammate that will do anything it takes to help his team win. Linder fits best in the slot where he can use his size and speed to his advantage. He has yet to see the offers come his way but in time that will change because Linder is a legit ball player that brings a lot of value to the football field and the locker room.
College Level: D1, FCS
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6304537/61966a5d4205e10584b7e518
2. (T/G) Eli Freeman Eli Freeman 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Lebanon | 2023 State TN (6’5 290) – Lebanon
– A technician and worker that has his best football ahead of him, Freeman is a big boy that constantly puts in the time and work at developing his body and craft and all his work is starting to pay off. Just recently, the Blue Devils offensive lineman added his 1st Division 1 offer from Ball St. and that won’t be his last. Freeman is a versatile guy that plays tackle for his high school team and could stay there on the college level but he has the smarts, size and skill set to swing inside as well. He sports excellent feet along with nice balance in his lower base. Freeman has slimmed up his frame over this offseason to enhance his mobility and flexibility and you can see those improvements paying off so far during camp or training work.
Freeman is not only a technician but he is also a brute mauler that embraces the physicality of football and enjoys putting guys on their backs. He fires off the ball very well and pushes down his opponents as he works towards the 2nd level. What may bring Freeman up the recruiting charts further is his active feet and knowledge of pass blocking. I fully expect to see an increase with Freeman’s recruitment over the coming months as more coaches look over his film.
College Level: Power Five, D1, FCS
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14203678/613427d1345312085c737f88
3. (DL) LaJairus Abernathy LaJairus Abernathy 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Pearl Cohn | 2023 State TN (6’2 285) – Pearl Cohn
– The next big prospect to come out of the Firebirds program is Abernathy and this guy has already positioned himself at the top of the board for college level defensive linemen in this state. Sporting good size with a nice looking body and frame, Abernathy is a load to handle in the middle due to his strength to speed combo as well active and quick feet. His motor stays active and when it’s on full blast, offensive lineman have a hard time staying in front. This Nashville area lineman shows on film the ability to equally handle the run and the pass as well as play a variety of roles across the defensive line.
Abernathy is a strong athlete from the inside that presents a lot of challenges for opposing linemen. He fits best inside a 4-3 defense where he can be singled up to allow his pass rushing skills to shine while also being able to shed blocks and go after the run. The Firebirds defender must continue to work on his lower body strength and overall leverage but he isn’t far off in those areas. Abernathy is one of guy’s so far through this evaluation period that looks like he could be ready to hit the field during his 1st year of college ball and contribute. He holds a few offers already, including one from Memphis but expect many others to get on board with this Middle Tennessee product very soon.
College Level: Power Five, D1, FCS
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12803063/619a97ca42061a0158ad030b
4. (LB) Drew Scott Drew Scott 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’2 220) – Lausanne
– If you’re looking for a hard hitting thumper on the field and a high character guy away from it, Scott is your guy. A productive multi year starter, this Lynx linebacker is a guy you don’t have to worry about bringing the energy because his motor and attention to tackling is always on point. Scott plays with high football IQ and tends to always put himself around the ball. He shows strong instincts on film, diagnosing the play early then attacking before the ball carrier can gain positive ground. His football knowledge against the run is some of the best at his position in this state and that trait will only get better as he matures.
Scott is also a physically well built young man that the opposition feels whenever he lays the wood. He brings a lot of force when making the tackle and when this West Tennessee product gets his hands on the opposition, that’s usually the end of the play. The area where Scott must continue to develop is against the pass and as well as his overall athleticism. Scott is a good athlete already and has the work ethic to continue improving his athleticism as well as his lower body agility. He brings a lot of traits to a football team that collegiate coaches value as somebody you won’t ever have to worry about putting in the time to develop nor bring any off the field issues to the table.
College Level: Division 1, FCS
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12041077/619daa5c5b47fa09b8d326ac
5. (CB/S) Evan Haynie Evan Haynie 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Baylor School | 2023 State TN (5’11 172) – Baylor
– A versatile defender with arm length and lower body flexibility, Haynie is a multi talented defensive back that could play a variety of roles within the secondary as well as become an ace on special teams. This Chattanooga area prospect put together a strong junior campaign where he displayed his athletic abilities on both sides of the ball but his college upside fits best over on defense. Haynie on film looks like a guy that could develop into a boundary cover corner but his talent may be seen brighter playing in the nickel or even back at free safety. He is a ballhawk that has a nose for the ball with strong instincts and a quick first step. Those instinctual skills can be utilized all across the secondary. That’s why Haynie’s versatility is such a strong trait for collegiate coaches to recruit and value for their respective teams.
Haynie is a good enough athlete where he could be looked at by some and recruited for offense at receiver. He produced good numbers and put up strong plays last year playing on offense but his long term potential still shows best over on defense. This guy is a worker and consistently puts in the time to develop his craft, so he brings a lot of value not just for the field but also off it as well. The Red Raiders defender already holds a few offers, including one from Toledo but hopefully after more coaches look over his film, more interest will begin to float his way.
College Level: Division 1, FCS
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8229188/6191b6a2b3d3600a389e5921