Best In Region: Middle Tennessee Top 10 Prospects

Looking over the #PRZTN Top 150, the Middle Tennessee region is where the best talent can be found for the 2023 in-state class and it’s not even close. All ten guys listed below are all ranked within the Top 15 players overall and are all Power Five prospects that will be playing on the biggest state of college football next Fall. Here is a breakdown of the top prospects from the greater Middle Tennessee region for the 2023 class. 1. (Edge LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102249" first="Caleb" last="Herring"] (6’6 215) - Riverdale <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-306494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/cherring-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Herring is the #1 overall prospect from the in-state 2023 class and you can see by watching his film and looking at his body style as to why multiple power programs from the Power Five level are after him. The Warriors tall and lanky edge rusher is filled with all sorts of potential and someone that is far from becoming a finished product. He is athletic, agile and shows range when dropping into coverage. Herring is still developing his body and game but the potential is tremendous. At the moment, Herring doesn’t claim a favorite in recruiting but schools like Georgia, Miami, Penn St., Tennessee and others are very much in play and could be at the top of his list. Look for a few other national programs to get involved before Herring decides to shut down his recruitment. 2. (TE) [player_tooltip player_id="102275" first="Ty" last="Lockwood"] (6’4 235) - Independence - One of the best tight end prospects in the entire country is Lockwood and this is a potential NFL prospect as well and that’s due to his ball skills, physicality and maturity that he will be taking to Ohio St. next Fall. Lockwood has been committed to the Buckeyes for a while now and been one of the lead recruiters in helping pull more talent to Columbus. This coming senior year, this Eagles pass catcher is looking to help lead his team on a deep playoff run and he is a target that can single handedly help Indy fight for a Region championship. This is a polished football player and incredible young man off the field that has a bright future ahead of him both on and off the field. 3. (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="102301" first="Shamar" last="Porter"] (6’3 200) - Ensworth <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-323255" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/sporter-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - From a physical traits standpoint, Porter has everything you look for in a Power Five prospect but he still has much to learn and develop, especially once he arrives in Lexington for his college days with Kentucky. Porter committed to the Wildcats a few months ago and has remained solid with his pledge ever since. This Tigers wideout is an impressive talent when he steps onto the field as he brings size, length and solid ball skills to the receiver position. He has a big radius that gives defensive backs troubles to get around and once he breaks into the open field, Porter is gone to the house. Work must continue to be done with his craft but Porter has all the upside to turn into a big time player during his time in the SEC. 4. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="60841" first="Chris" last="Parson"] (6’0 195) - Ravenwood - Parson is an elite playmaker from the quarterback position and possibly the fastest guy behind center in the entire country but he is not just a runner but a strong armed passer as well. The Raptors senior signal caller is a feared man on the offensive side of the ball that defenders have a hard time controlling as he breaks containment with ease and can either burst by guys on the run or throw it deep. Parson is a true dual threat that brings a lot of athleticism and playmaking abilities to the backfield that should play up very well during his time down in Tallahassee. Parson committed to Florida St. late last year and has been strong with his commitment ever since. This guy’s best football days are definitely ahead of him! 5. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102205" first="Ethan" last="Crisp"] (6’3 210) - Mt. Juliet <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-306481" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/ecrisp-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - A recent commitment to Vanderbilt, Crisp is an athletic backer that brings a variety of skills to the defensive side of the ball and a certain leadership and work ethic that plays up very well on the collegiate level. The biggest trait that got Crisp to the SEC is his ability to drop and cover in space. He is one of the best linebackers in the country at doing this and he is only going to get better in this area the more he grows and matures. Crisp is also quite smart and instinctive as he plays with a high motor and consistently puts himself around the ball. Vanderbilt added a strong piece to their recruiting class with Crisp and a player that could compete for immediate playing time the moment he arrives on campus. 6. (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="150474" first="Jacob" last="Page"] (6’2 185) - Ensworth - Big and physical with great hands and the ability to make the tough catch, Page is a top prospect within this state but to me, is vastly underrated nationally and one of the best receivers in the country. Page has great body control and has a knack for making wow catches. He is a tough guy to guard on the outside that presents a lot of problems for defensive backs. The Tigers wideout has added several big offers thus far throughout his recruitment but right now doesn’t appear close to making a decision. He actually could be on the verge of adding several big offers to go along with other offers from the likes of Indiana, Miss. State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Washington. Page is more than legit and could see his best days of football ahead of him on the college level. 7. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="133432" first="Syncere" last="Safeeullah"] (6’2 175) - Hillsboro <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-323261" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/ssafeeullah-crop-1867x1226-1650214130-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> - As things sit right now in our current #PRZTN 2023 rankings, Safeeullah is our #1 defensive back prospect and that’s due to his size, football smarts and consistency along with his upside to play the boundary on the next level. The Burros senior defender is one of the best workers you will find in this state as Safeeullah constantly works on his craft and is all about learning to improve in every way he can. This offseason has been good for this Middle Tennessee product as he has gotten faster along with improving his technique. Several strong P5, D1 schools are after Safeeullah currently with several others hot in pursuit. Look for this 6’2 defender to continue adding offers this summer as he works and camps in front of college coaches. 8. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="150305" first="Kenny" last="Minchey"] (6’2 200) - Pope Prep - Mincey is a strong armed passer that can make all the throws but his best trait may be his accuracy and ability to continue moving the chains. The Knights star quarterback has a unique ability to find open receivers anywhere on the field and he has no problem checking down to keep the drive alive. Minchey is a big dude behind center that has the mobility to evade pass rushers. He is a poised guy in the huddle that doesn’t appear to get phased by defenders nor does he tend to get too excited. College coaches like his makeup at quarterback and future on the next level. Schools like Memphis, Michigan St., Tennessee, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Va Tech and others are in pursuit of this Middle Tennessee gunslinger and Minchey could be close to making his college commitments, so keep your ears open for a possible decision soon. 9. (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="102191" first="Drake" last="Carlson"] (6’4 275) - Father Ryan - Carlson has been a strong name on the recruiting trail for almost two years now and headed into the summer camp and Fall football season, this Fighting Irish senior is currently the top rated D-lineman in the entire state for the 2023 class. Part of the reason for Carlson being at the top of the D-line list is due to his natural physical strength and ability to play multiple positions within the trenches. He has explosive traits along with an agile, powerful lower base that helps him play in the backfield on a consistent basis. Many across the college football landscape are after Carlson, including several from the Power Five conferences who would love to add this guy to their roster but they need to get after him soon as this Middle Tennessee could be close to making a decision. 10. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="102308" first="Marcel" last="Reed"] (6’2 185) - MBA <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-323264" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/mreed-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - One of the best pure passing arms in this state comes from Reed and he is a product that still has some work to do before he reaches his maximum capabilities but the upside and potential is very strong. Collegiate coaches recognize these abilities and have been after Reed for some time now. This guy can sling it with the best of them and by watching his film, he can make NFL throws with his strong right arm but also tuck it and run for positive yards. Reed is an ultra talented guy that has several strong college options to choose from, including offers from the likes of Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Virginia and others. Reed may be 10th on this list but he is ranked 15th overall by #PRZTN and a quarterback with a very bright future ahead of him. Five Others to Know: (T/G) [player_tooltip player_id="102185" first="Luke" last="Brown"] (6’6 300) - Henry Co., (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="102184" first="Justin" last="Brown"] (6’1 185) - Blackman, (T/G) [player_tooltip player_id="102206" first="Joe" last="Crocker"] (6’6 305) - FRA, (T/G) [player_tooltip player_id="276788" first="Brandon" last="Solis"] (6’8 260) - Lipscomb Acad., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102187" first="Bo" last="Burklow"] (6’4 235) - CPA