Music City Showdown Top Performers

Wrapping up our look at last weekend’s 7v7 tournament from Franklin Road Academy, here we breakdown the top performers from the Music City Showdown and what stood out the most about their game play last Sunday afternoon.   ‘24 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="148864" first="Cody" last="Pagach"] - Independence - This junior signal caller had his best performance of the offseason thus far and Pagach has had several strong moments already but on Sunday, he was almost perfect helping lead his Team Flight team to a Music City Showdown championship. Pagach was on point the entire day, barely missing a receiver and placing the ball perfectly for his playmakers to score. He sports smooth mechanics and a fearless attitude to place the football wherever he wants to. He also has a calm demeanor about himself that plays well within the huddle. Last Sunday in Nashville, Pagach displayed why he is top quarterback in-state for the 2024 class and I expect his stock to soar very soon.   ‘24 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="150277" first="Boo" last="Carter"] - Chatt. Christian - Carter was unstoppable on Sunday and easily the top player of the entire tournament. If we had an MVP award, it would go to either Carter or Pagach as these teammates had a connection going that was very hard to stop. Nobody could guard Carter and no team had an answer for him throughout the entire tournament. He brings everything to the football field that you want in a playmaker. Carter is fast, quick in his breaks, smart and has outstanding hands along with the ability to get open whenever he wants to. This is the kind of athlete that can help change a team’s offense or defense because he simply knows how to play football at a high level. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Some clips from this past weekend🤟🏾<a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncec_recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/athletics_ccs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@athletics_ccs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithscout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlPlaymkrsAca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlPlaymkrsAca</a><a href="https://twitter.com/wolfpack7on7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Wolfpack7on7</a><a href="https://twitter.com/scoop1914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scoop1914</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTBarr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachTBarr</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://t.co/ECgiklvF70">pic.twitter.com/ECgiklvF70</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="150277" first="Boo" last="Carter"] (@boo_Carter6) <a href="https://twitter.com/boo_Carter6/status/1508489632324988932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102187" first="Bo" last="Burklow"] - CPA - Sunday was another consistent, big 7v7 performance from this Lions two way talent as Burklow dominated the day and was easily one of the top prospects in attendance at the Music City Showdown. This Middle Tennessee product was almost unstoppable from his tight end position as most linebackers could not stay with him and defensive backs had a hard time maneuvering around his big body. Burklow was also clutch in several key moments throughout the day where he hauled in several passes to earn 1st downs or scores. The more I watch this guy play at tight end the more I see why college coaches are offering him for the offensive side of the ball.   (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="151256" first="Demitrius" last="Bell"] - Blackman - Nobody can guard this guy and I’m not just saying that to use it as a tagline but I absolutely mean it! Bell is devastating at the line of scrimmage as he sports some of the best quicks, athleticism and explosion that I have seen in quite some time. He displayed all these abilities Sunday at Franklin Road Academy where he helped lead Team Blaze to the semifinals and dominated his position scoring multiple times while also playing quite well over at safety on defense. Bell has gotten better and better throughout this offseason with his route running and hands. He is also becoming more confident each time he steps onto the field, so I’m expecting a breakout senior season inside the Blackman pass happy offense this year. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Pass from <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorHaas14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TaylorHaas14</a> !! <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach4343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach4343</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BallHawkU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BallHawkU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTBarr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTBarr</a> <a href="https://t.co/F27I2eX2al">pic.twitter.com/F27I2eX2al</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="151256" first="Demitrius" last="Bell"] (@db1_1o) <a href="https://twitter.com/db1_1o/status/1508485031886573568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   ‘24 (S) [player_tooltip player_id="152933" first="Stephen" last="Ellison"] - Oakland - Ellison had his best offseason performance yet this past Sunday as he stepped into a leadership role, making all the calls on defense and consistently putting himself around the football. Over the past several weeks, Ellison has really started to mature and take his craft on and off the field much more seriously and it definitely showed up on Sunday. He picked off only one pass on the day but was near or close to picking off several others while also making quick breaks on the ball and stopping receivers to short gains. Ellison is starting to come into his own and I really think his offseason work will show up big time in college camps this summer where you will see his offer list grow.   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="297332" first="Thomas" last="Vaccaro"] - CPA - Not too many know about this Lions rising senior quarterback but after this offseason, they need to start watching film and learning more about Vaccaro. This guy was near flawless at the Music City showdown where he threw 28 total touchdowns with no interceptions and placed the ball on pinpoint accuracy nearly every pass thrown. Vaccaro has great mechanics and the size to play on the collegiate level. He just needs time and snaps on the field this year to prove his upside. This summer will be critical for Vaccaro on the summer camp tour as he looks to show off to college coaches the abilities that were displayed last weekend where he helped lead his Grind Hard team to the 7v7 championship game. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Music City Showdown 7v7 with <a href="https://twitter.com/TGH7v7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TGH7v7</a> . A few clips from the tournament, threw for 28 touchdowns on the day, 0 interceptions. Came in second again, but can’t wait to get back out there in atlanta! <a href="https://twitter.com/CPAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPAFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Bo_Burklow17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bo_Burklow17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanthonyNelso?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeanthonyNelso</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBC_Nashville?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBC_Nashville</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBHitList?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBHitList</a> <a href="https://t.co/DcQnVhNIpF">pic.twitter.com/DcQnVhNIpF</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="297332" first="Thomas" last="Vaccaro"] (@ThomasCVaccaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThomasCVaccaro/status/1508801793693732876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   (WR) Daniel Morales - Independence - A sneaky good athlete with nice height and great hands is Morales and displayed all these traits and then some last Sunday as one of Team Flight’s top producing wideouts. This Eagles rising senior had a strong performance during the 7v7 tournament last weekend where he consistently beat defensive backs at the line of scrimmage and hauled in just about every pass thrown his way. Morales is still building his frame and adding on the weight but he can run every route on the route tree and be your deep threat with his deceptive speed. This guy should be a key target for his Independence team this coming Fall.   (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="250828" first="Jeremiah" last="Goodwin"] - Owensboro (Ky) - Goodwin put together his best offseason performance of the year last weekend at the Music City Showdown where he displayed a variety of skills from his linebacker position and was a key member towards leading Team Blaze into the semifinals. This Bluegrass State backer was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball where he picked off three passes and deflected several others while also being on the spot for several key stops. This guy can run and cover. He has proved that throughout this offseason and showed that even further last Sunday. Goodwin should see his recruiting stock take an uptick over the coming months as more coaches view his film and watch him perform in person. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Had a great time competing today with the guys 💯 3 INT and 2 PBU for the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LoyaltyPerform?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoyaltyPerform</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlPlaymkrsAca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlPlaymkrsAca</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SrHighFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SrHighFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/qnjPYysI1N">pic.twitter.com/qnjPYysI1N</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="250828" first="Jeremiah" last="Goodwin"] (@jeremiahgood25) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremiahgood25/status/1508220252592611329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="102301" first="Shamar" last="Porter"] - Ensworth - The #1 ranked receiver by #PRZTN for the ‘23 class was the main target for Team Tennessee Black and he did not disappoint by scoring multiple times and being the go to guy on key downs. Porter is a big guy with long arms that creates a mismatch problem for smaller defensive backs. He took advantage of those smaller guys on Sunday by either blazing past them or using his body to shield them off. This Middle Tennessee wideout who is committed to Kentucky, looked much improved on Sunday and showed why he is a national recruit and one of the top prospects in the entire state of Tennessee.   ‘24 (Ath) Deanthony Nelson - Pearl Cohn - Nelson has been a consistent playmaker for his Grind Hard team this offseason and he put together another strong performance at the Music City Showdown last Sunday. A two-way talent for his 7v7 squad and Pearl Cohn team, Nelson is an athletic guy that can be utilized in a variety of ways on the offensive side of the ball. Last weekend in Nashville, his team showcased Nelson in those ways and was one of the top overall playmakers from the 7v7 tournament. He still has to develop his entire game but Nelson has two years to do so but things already look quite good according to these scouting eyes.