Prospect Watch: Film Breakdown (Volume V)
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Here we are back in the lab, breaking down film on some of the best talent from the in-state 2023 class and today’s five prospects are all more than legit but guys that are already on the college radar. A…
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Continue ReadingHere we are back in the lab, breaking down film on some of the best talent from the in-state 2023 class and today’s five prospects are all more than legit but guys that are already on the college radar.
A few of the prospects broken down here could also find themselves on the D1 level as more coaches view their film and work with them in person during the upcoming summer camp season.
1. (QB) Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN (6’0 192) – Henry Co.
– A leader with a right arm cannon and poise in the pocket, Damron is a true “quarterback” that understands the game of football and does all the little things right to not only help himself but help his team win. The Patriots rising senior has had the reins behind center at Henry Co. for several years now and that’s due to his leadership, football knowledge and ability to sling the ball wherever he wants to. Damron is a confident guy behind center that has strong zip on the ball and places it well for his receivers to make plays. His film shows that this Mid-Tennessee product has the ability to make the accurate, deep throw while staying in the pocket and taking the hit. He can also work the intermediate routes as this Patriots signal caller knows how to check down and take what the defense gives him.
Damron is a tough dude both mentally and physically. You can’t bother or phase Damron too much as he sports a calm and focused demeanor when under center but can also tuck it and run as he doesn’t shy away from contact. He brings a lot of traits to the football field that screams leadership along with a strong right arm that can make all the throws. Damron holds a few offers at this time but recruiting has slowed up for this Henry Co. quarterback, however I expect things to pick back up after coaches work with him this summer during camp season.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11280119/613ed38c176c7b09b8b2863a
College Projection: D1, FCS
2. (WR) Adjatay Dabbs Adjatay Dabbs 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Greeneville | 2023 State TN (6’2 175) – Greeneville
– One of the more underrated offensive playmakers we have in the state for the ‘23 class is Dabbs and hopefully after a big summer camp season, this East Tennessee wideout should break out on the recruiting scene with more offers. Dabbs already holds a couple FCS offers but his talents warrant bigger looks as this dude has a great combo of size and speed that translate well to the next level. When evaluating this guy on film, what you see first is his ability to catch the ball and quickly get out into the open field, looking for the endzone. Dabbs can pick up his feet and get down field in a hurry. This guy has big play abilities, whether that’s taking a short pickup into a long gain or being a deep threat. Dabbs also fits best on the outside but because of his speed and agility, he could slide into the slot and cause just as much damage.
Another big trait about Dabbs that stands out is his route running. While the Green Devils receiver needs to keep developing his route tree, on film Dabbs shows nice feet and routes that will only get better inside the college game. Dabbs also needs to keep developing his body, adding the needed strength but the frame is there to pack on the weight. This East Tennessee product has traits and talents to play up on the big stage of college football, so it’s just a matter of time before someone of the D1 level pulls the trigger on this guy.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12926957/614730ccbd6ba708a435f727
College Projection: Power Five, D1, FCS
3. (DE) Taeshawn Clark Taeshawn Clark 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Kenwood | 2023 State TN (6’3 260) – Kenwood
– Many college coaches are missing the boat right now on Clark as this guy is one of the better defensive end prospects we have for the in-state 2023 class and he has the physical traits to step on campus next Fall and compete for playing time. Clark is a physical beast that uses his power and strength to his advantage when rushing the backfield. He has powerful, heavy hands along with nice arm extension that keeps offensive tackles from slowing him down. Clark is more of a bull rusher right now but shows on the film the ability to evolve his pass rushing skills and develop into more of a speed guy off the edge. The Knights rising senior is not slow rushing the backfield. He is just built more like a 3-4 edge guy that can work up the field but also hold strong on blocks and slow up the run game.
That’s the other big trait that stands out about Clark when watching his film. He is excellent versus the run as he knows how to string out the play and force the runner to come back inside where either he makes a play on the ball or free’s up others to do so. Clark plays with a high football IQ and a motor that continues throughout the game. This Clarksville area D-lineman currently sits within the #PRZTN Top 60 rankings and I could easily see him rise up the charts after performing well during camp season in the coming months.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12803056/618dbeb6578ddb0a14806e06
College Projection: D1, FCS
4. (LB) Jackson Steele Jackson Steele 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Carter | 2023 State TN (6’3 208) – Carter
– One of the better athletic backers from the East Tennessee region is Steele but for some reason, this Hornets defender still sits under the radar when it comes to college offers. That should change over the coming months as college coaches are able to work with and see Steele perform in person, showing off his ability to run sideline to sideline as well as drop in coverage. This guy can play some football and you see that and then some when watching Steele on film. This is a multi talented linebacker that has the size, length, speed and athleticism to play several roles on defense. You can line this guy up on the outside covering tight ends, running backs out of the backfield while also using him as a rusher but can also slide him inside, slowing up the run game. His size and ability to run is what allows him to stand out and make plays on the ball. You see that when watching his film but also by looking at his stats from last year’s breakout junior season.
Steele produced over a 100 tackles as a junior and could be in line for even more this year as a senior. This is a tackling machine that simply has a nose for the ball and gets to the play in a hurry. Steele is also a two sport star that could find many offers over the next two years to play on the baseball diamond in college. I personally see his upside best in football as he sports a great frame to take on added weight but can also run and cover, which is tough to find on the football recruiting trail. This guy could be a summer camp breakout star, so watch Steele’s stock only rise as the coming months roll along.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10254761/618c3f8342062b0a3004c573
College Projection: D1, FCS
5. (S) Mark Joseph Mark Joseph 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Sheffield | 2023 State TN (6’2 173) – Sheffield
– Coming off a breakout junior season where he led the greater Memphis area and West Tennessee region in interceptions, Joseph is one of the better playmaking safeties we have from the in-state 2023 class. Sporting nice size and length, this Knights center fielder just simply knows how to put himself in the right position to make plays on the ball and he does so on a consistent basis. His film shows that and shows upside for the next level as he brings a lot of traits to the football field that play up well on the collegiate game. One of the biggest traits that stand out about Joseph is his closing speed to the ball and the ability to high point it when he gets there. He has a knack and instinctive feel for wherever the ball is on the field and getting there quickly. Joseph fits the center field, free safety role very well but does of course need to keep developing his body and overall craft.
At this current moment, Joseph holds an offer from UT-Martin but hasn’t seen his stock rise to the point where other schools have gotten involved yet. That needs to change soon as Joseph is legit and a playmaker in the secondary that plays big when the lights come on. This upcoming summer camp season will be big for this West Tennessee ball hawk and a time where I feel that Joseph will confirm what you see on film as a playmaker with upside and someone that will get better inside the college game. I could also see Joseph become a hot prospect on the recruiting trail in time as his talents are just too good to be bypassed for much longer.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13622969/6186e8dbb018f50370d7b681
College Projection: D1, FCS