Inside The Rankings: #TN2023 Athlete’s Breakdown

Continuing our path through the latest #PRZTN 2023 prospect rankings, here we look at and breakdown our in-state athlete’s and the guys who have the talent to succeed on either side of the ball. There are some seriously talented prospects listed below and every single one of them are still available with their recruitments along with the upside to rise up the rankings during our next evaluation period.   1. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102344" first="Marquez" last="Taylor"] (6’0 175) - McKenzie #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 1st, 21st overall - One of the best natural athletes in this state for the ‘23 class is Taylor and he is a guy with a wide variety of skills that could be utilized all over the field on either side of the ball. The Rebels star two way talent has big time speed along with elusive body movements that makes him hard to stop on the offensive side of the ball, however his upside could sit best at defensive back. Taylor has a nice frame along with long arms and a knack for being around the ball on a consistent basis. He holds several D1 offers thus far and could be in store for many more once he hits the camp scene this summer and coaches see his dynamic playmaking abilities in person.   2. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102187" first="Bo" last="Burklow"] (6’4 230) - CPA #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 2nd, 22nd overall - Burklow is one of the more intriguing talents in this state as he has tons of upside written all over him and that goes for both sides of the ball. Sporting great size and physical traits, Burklow is a big boy that moves very well and it translates to both tight end and defensive end/edge. This Lions physical specimen is a sure handed pass catcher on offense that knows how to get open and shield his body from defenders. Many schools have offered Burklow for offense but to me his biggest upside sits on defense at rush end. Burklow has landed several D1 offers thus far but is still waiting on the Power Five schools. I believe that changes soon as Burklow is one of the top underrated prospects from this in-state ‘23 class.   3. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="185565" first="Junior" last="Sherrill"] (6’0 175) - Lipscomb Academy #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 3rd, 31st overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311050" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/jsherrill-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - If you’re looking for speed and home run hitting abilities, Sherrill is your guy! This Middle Tennessee product broke out on the scene last year as a junior, providing his Mustangs offense with a big play threat that can find the end zone in a hurry. He is now set to be the go to guy this Fall season and a prospect that has a Power Five skill set. Sherrill is an ultra talented guy that could excel at either receiver or running back on offense or even more over to the other side and develop at defensive back. Sherrill could also be a big time playmaker in the return game as well. Look for this guy to be one of the top breakout prospects during college camp season this coming summer.   4. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102223" first="Trevor" last="Duncan"] (6’5 280) - Knox. Catholic #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 4th, 32nd overall - This big man out of Knoxville will soon move off this athlete list and into either the offensive or defensive line category but it is still unclear which position it will be and that’s because Duncan could excel at either one. Many see his upside better fitting on the offensive line but Duncan could develop into a versatile, 3-4 based defensive end that could slide inside at the 3-technique and cause damage on the college level. The Fighting Irish senior lineman has a great frame with long arms and a wide radius that does fit very well at tackle on the O-line. He also has the athleticism and mobile lower base that college coaches would love to have and work with in the trenches. I expect a big rise up the next updated rankings for Duncan after further development this summer.   5. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="201098" first="Courtland" last="Simmons"] (6’0 185) - Davidson Academy #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 5th, 35th overall - Simmons made the move over to Tennessee from Missouri last year and immediately became a force for Davidson Academy and put himself on the map as a legit D1 level recruit. Now he is coming off a strong basketball run with the Bears and focused on his football offseason and it’s one he needs to keep growing his recruiting stock. Simmons is a physically well built young man that can and provides a lot of versatility on the football field. He could excel on either side of the ball but watching his film, Simmons upside sits best on offense at either receiver or running back. This could be a talent that rises up the rankings the next go around due to Simmons natural feel for making big play on the gridiron.   6. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102310" first="Elijah" last="Rogers"] (6’1 190) - Oak Ridge #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 6th, 46th overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311053" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/elirogers-crop-367x241-1648222427-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> - At one point last year, Rogers was considered as a possible top recruit in this state and he still has the upside to be that guy but his stock has stalled for some reason or another. Rogers is an intriguing talent that has great size, arm length and natural athleticism that could be utilized at multiple positions. He also plays a physical brand of football that translates well to the next level. The Wildcats star senior is still developing his overall craft this offseason and growing into his body, so it’s unclear at this moment if Rogers will play receiver or defensive back on the collegiate level. If Rogers continues to develop and shows improvement over the next few months, you could see a rise in our next rankings for him and increased recruitment.   7. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102192" first="Max" last="Carroll"] (6’3 205) - Briarcrest Christian #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 7th, 50th overall - Holding offers already from the likes of Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, Carroll is a wanted man for the next level and a prospect that has yet to reach his maximum capabilities. Tall and long with a big radius, Carroll sports several physical traits that play up in the college game and places him within the Top 50 overall of our 1st 2023 prospect rankings. Looking at Carroll’s upside and film, this 6’3 athlete has the potential and look of a future outside linebacker. He is good in coverage and shows the speed to chase down the ball, sideline to sideline. He also has the physical tools to develop as a rusher as well. Carroll plays a lot of receiver, so that could be his future as well but either way, this is a talented guy with a college football future.   8. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102219" first="Malaki" last="Dowell"] (5’11 185) - White Co. #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 8th, 71st overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275253" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/46-Malaki-Dowell-300x234.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="234" /> - Dowell could be one of the biggest hidden gems in this entire state as he currently sits way under the radar with big time talent and speed. Coming out of an area where not many guys get recruited, Dowell is more than legit, he is a sure fire talent that can become a game breaker on the collegiate level. Playing both ways for his Spartans team, Dowell is a versatile guy with the body style to develop at multiple positions. Running back, receiver or defensive back are three positions that Dowell could develop and excel at on the next level but he is still looking for those opportunities. Whoever decides to pull the trigger on this Mid-State talent will be getting an absolute steal.   9. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="157392" first="Griffin" last="Throneberry"] (6’3 190) - Mt. Juliet #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 9th, 116th overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250438" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/102-Throneberry.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - This Middle Tennessee product could be one of the more athletic prospects on this list but the reason he isn’t higher in the rankings is due to not knowing what position Throneberry could be on the next level. Last year as a junior, Throneberry played a lot of receiver and took some snaps at quarterback but looking towards the next level, his ultimate potential could sit best on defense at safety. This guy is tall, long and bouncy and someone that can run and track down the ball anywhere on the field. He is also well put together physically with a frame that can take on more size. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this guy see an uptick with offers, especially after performing during camp season this summer.   10. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="302319" first="Jordan" last="Harris"] (5’10 175) - Alcoa #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 10th, 118th overall - A two sport star for his Alcoa school, Harris is a dynamic, big play guy on the football field that has been looked at by several collegiate programs over the past two years and could be close to breaking out with offers. Harris is a gamer, a guy that plays big on the big stage and could excel on either side of the ball. The one thing that has Harris sitting 118th in our rankings is his size and untapped potential. Harris has not been a part of the offseason grind as most football recruits, so his stock sits under the radar right now but could be a breakout guy during the summer college camp season. Watch out for this name going forward as he sports the talents to play on the next level.   11. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="234957" first="Cayden" last="Latham"] (5’10 170) - Knox. West #PRZTN Ranking: Ranked 11th, 132nd overall <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311055" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/caylatham-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Many around the recruiting scene may not know much about Latham but this is a talented young man with breakaway speed and natural athleticism that fits very well in the college game. Much of his film is at receiver where Latham very well could play in college but seeing that speed and smooth lower body movements, it tells me he has upside at defensive back. Latham does need to continue developing his craft and more importantly, keep adding more weight and size but from an athletic standpoint, this East Tennessee product has the juice to compete on the next level. He doesn’t have any offers yet but I expect that to change sooner than later.   Just Outside the Top 150 [player_tooltip player_id="301352" first="Rodney" last="Broadnax"] (6’5 215) - Cleveland: 12th Ranked Ath. - A two sport guy who is still raw on the football field but sports major upside is Broadnax. This guy has all the physical tools and traits to develop into a possible college edge rusher or maybe even a tight end. Zachariah LaBoo (6’7 230) - East Hamilton: 13th Ranked Ath. - LaBoo, Jr is another raw but ultra talented young man with tremendous size and physical traits that appeal quite a bit to collegiate coaches. He plays a lot of tight end but I see his biggest upside on defense and on the line. [player_tooltip player_id="102319" first="Ian" last="Scott"] (5’10 165) - Brentwood Acad.: 14th Ranked Ath. - Scott is a natural athlete that could develop and excel at a variety of positions on the next level; This is a big play guy no matter if he is on offense, defense or special teams. [player_tooltip player_id="268149" first="NaShawn" last="Holman"] (5’10 160) - Franklin Co.: 15th Ranked Ath. - Speed and elusive playmaking abilities is Holman’s calling card; He is a bit undersized but makes up for it with game breaking skills and the juice to find the end zone whenever the ball is in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id="150477" first="Tison" last="Johnson"] (5’10 180) - Morristown-West: 16th Ranked Ath. - This is a guy that I could see take a big rise up the rankings as he continues to develop this offseason; Johnson fits well in the slot on offense but I personally see his upside best at defensive back. [player_tooltip player_id="102295" first="Sam" last="O’Leary"] (5’10 175) - Knox. Catholic: 17th Ranked Ath. - O’Leary is one of the top playmakers from the East Tennessee region in this class and a talent that could develop on either side of the ball; He is a physically, well put together young man that brings a lot of versatility to the gridiron. [player_tooltip player_id="102345" first="Tristian" last="Taylor"] (5’11 185) - Christian Brothers: 18th Ranked Ath. - Taylor could be in store for a breakout senior season and possibly one of the top natural athletes from the greater Memphis area; Running back, receiver or defensive back are three positions that Taylor could develop and excel at. [player_tooltip player_id="232819" first="Na’Zaiyah" last="Holman"] (6’0 175) - Franklin Co.: 19th Ranked Ath. - Yes we have two Holman’s from Franklin County but this one could be the one with the biggest upside; Sporting nice size and physical traits, Holman has the ability to develop and grow at either receiver or defensive back. [player_tooltip player_id="150321" first="Hassan" last="Al-Sultani"] (6’1 175) - Carter: 20th Ranked Ath. - An ultra competitor with nice size, Al-Sultani is a big part of his Hornets team as a guy who goes both ways for his team but could see his ultimate upside reached in college at defensive back. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311058" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/tisjohnson-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />