#TN2024 Prospect Watch: Film Review (Volume I)

The in-state 2023 class is at the forefront of college recruiting right now but that doesn’t mean we can’t start breaking down talent from the rising juniors in the great state of Tennessee! Diving back into the lab, here we go in-depth with five 2024 prospects by reviewing and evaluating their film, talking about their talents and areas they need to improve going forward. Hint, all five prospects talked about below will all be playing on the college gridiron one day!! 1. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="268180" first="Knox" last="Roberts"] (6’2 195) - Davidson Academy <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309903" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/kroberts-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - A strong, polished passer that is just going into his junior year, Roberts is a true pocket passer with a cannon that can spin the ball deep down the field while also making all the tough throws you want a quarterback to make. Watching over his film, Roberts is a talented passer that already sports the size and arm strength that plays well on the collegiate level. He handles himself very well within the pocket, showing poise and a cool, calm demeanor. The Bears rising junior brings a certain calm attitude to the huddle that teammates can get behind and follow late into games. Roberts shows on film the ability to hang in the pocket and deliver the ball wherever it’s needed, even with defenders bearing down on him. That kind of poise in the pocket is something college coaches like a lot with their quarterbacks because it shows a lot of traits that bode well for winning games. The one area where Roberts needs to keep developing is his overall athleticism and agility when it comes to escaping pressure. This Middle Tennessee product is a big guy, so taking on physicality is no problem for Roberts but he can’t take hits on a consistent basis without it eventually becoming an issue. He has the deceptive mobility to maneuver away from defenders and not take on the hits, so I’m confident in what Roberts can do with his development within his lower half going forward. This guy has all the makings of one of the next top quarterbacks in this state with a shot at making it to the Division 1 level. Expect a big breakout summer and Fall season for this 6’2 gunslinger and his Davidson Academy offense. Sophomore Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12095739/615335d668901109e4048942">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12095739/615335d668901109e4048942</a>   2. (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="150280" first="Isaiah" last="Cobbs"] (5’9 165) - White Station - One of the more athletic receivers for the in-state 2024 class could be Cobbs and after breaking down his film, I see a future college player that many coaches will fall in love with as time goes on. A smooth runner with explosive traits, Cobbs is a dynamic player that can find the end zone quickly and do so in a variety of ways. He works mainly out of the slot and that’s where his talents fit very well but Cobbs has the fearless game play to work outside as well. The Spartans stud junior plays much bigger than his size and doesn’t mind getting physical with his opponent, working to carve out open space. Defensive backs tend to lose Cobbs within the action of the play because of his size but also because of his breakaway abilities. It’s his speed and separation skills that make him such an appealing prospect for the collegiate game. Cobbs can explode into his route and bust loose from defenders with ease, creating open space and a big window for his quarterback. He is a home run threat from anywhere on the field but when he is in the slot, Cobbs is a major player to find the end zone on a consistent basis. He does need to keep working on his overall strength and power but from a speed and athletic standpoint, Cobbs has what it takes to compete and excel on the collegiate level. Alabama St. has already offered this Memphis area prospect but expect Cobbs to have many more offers over the coming months, especially as coaches look over his film and see his explosiveness in person this summer. Sophomore Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13144351/619827c34205e10584b8e7f5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13144351/619827c34205e10584b8e7f5</a>   3. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="149317" first="Kavion" last="Benton"] (6’3 245) - Wooddale - Already establishing himself as one of the best defensive line prospects in the ‘24 class with offers from Florida and Memphis, Benton is a physical specimen with his best football days ahead of him. The moment Benton steps onto the field, he immediately looks the part physically, so imagine how this Memphis area defender will look with maturity and time within a college weight room. Benton is guy I have had a chance to see perform in person already at our #PRZTN Winter Showcase last December and that day he was dominant and showed why he is a top college recruit. He has a mature pass rush about himself that will only improve and develop further as time goes by. Benton already knows how to use his hands and leverage to get by offensive tackles while also showing the speed to run past them. He also has nice bend and can use his lower body strength to anchor himself and bull rush the tackle into the backfield. Benton brings a lot of tools to the football field that translate very well to the next level, especially Power Five football. This West Tennessee product sports big upside and high potential but of course, more work must be done. The biggest thing that Benton must continue improving on is his get-off and quick reactions towards the ball. Those traits are already solid but when he puts everything together, watch out! Benton is a strong worker with a great attitude, so you don’t have to worry about this guy slowing down his grind nor taking his eye off the ball because he has his mind set on starring on the college gridiron. This guy could be one of the top overall prospects for the in-state 2024 class and even possibly one of the top defensive end prospects in the country. Sophomore Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13031439/61ba8e4bbd75800338f6d114">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13031439/61ba8e4bbd75800338f6d114</a>   4. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="149382" first="Jack" last="Alley"] (6’3 210) - Farragut <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-309907" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/jalley-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - People, scouts and college coaches need to start learning about this East Tennessee linebacker because he has a college football future written all over him. Alley is a well put together rising junior that has been playing significant snaps for his Admirals team since his freshman year and is poised for a big breakout junior season that should put him on the college map. What you see when watching Alley’s film is a guy that has a nose for the ball and gets to it very quickly. Alley can run and uses his high football IQ and instincts to track down the ball fast and finish with violence. He doesn’t hesitate when diagnosing the play and explodes towards the ball. This East Tennessee product is a true inside backer that has the athletic abilities to play outside if needed, so his versatility is a key trait for college coaches to become enamored with. He is the kind of talent that could develop and step onto campus his freshman year and immediately compete for playing time. Alley is also a hard worker and leader on defense that doesn’t take snaps off nor slow down his motor. He brings a lot of tools to the table that collegiate coaches would love because right now, you can’t find too many flaws with his game or physical traits. He does need to keep developing his overall speed and agility but he isn’t far off from having those traits be top level. Alley also has a nice frame and wide radius that will only continue growing over the next few years, so this is an appealing prospect that right now looks like one of the top linebackers from the in-state 2024 class. Sophomore Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5672294/613e438a041d6b0b64f422b8">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5672294/613e438a041d6b0b64f422b8</a>   5. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="152933" first="Stephen" last="Ellison"] (5’11 182) - Oakland <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-297328" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/sellison2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - The next top college prospect coming out of the Oakland Patriots program looks to be Ellison and this is a prospect that doesn’t know yet how good he can be but he is definitely on that current path to becoming elite. This 5’11 safety who has the versatility to slide down to nickel if needed, Ellison is a versatile and intelligent defensive back that shows in person and on film the ability to track down the ball anywhere on the field. His instincts are strong and his work ethic is even stronger. Ellison is well trained and well coached and a guy that can lead a defense from the back end. The biggest trait that stands out on film for Ellison is his quick instincts and diagnosing where to make a play on the ball. Once he recognizes where the play is coming from, Ellison shoots out fast and is on the ball before the opposition can make a big positive gain. The Patriots rising junior is stout versus run, more so compared to his coverage skills at the moment though that part is developing quickly this offseason. Ellison works with one of the top offseason training programs in the state, so he is constantly working on his craft and increasing his speed on a weekly basis. So far in recruiting, Ellison has picked up a few D1 offers, including one from Kentucky, so college coaches are already aware of the Murfreesboro area defender. Expect many others to follow suit over the coming months as Eliison is beginning to come into own and could soon break out into one of the top defensive backs in this state for the 2024 class. This is a talented prospect that will only get better over time and could be a key leader towards bringing the Patriots defense back to the 6A title game over the next two years. Sophomore Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11533178/61474da5dfe2a70e882d3659">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11533178/61474da5dfe2a70e882d3659</a>