Best In Region: West Tennessee Top 10 Prospects
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The state of Tennessee has evolved with talent everywhere but the greater Memphis area and the rest of the West TN region has always produced a steady crop of prospects that consistently make their way into college football and this…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Tennessee has evolved with talent everywhere but the greater Memphis area and the rest of the West TN region has always produced a steady crop of prospects that consistently make their way into college football and this year’s group is no different.
These ten prospects at the moment are considered “the” top players from the West Tennessee area but the crop runs much deeper than these guys listed below.
1. (QB) Brock Glenn Brock Glenn 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’2 190) – Lausanne
– A top 10 overall prospect by PRZTN, Glenn is a smooth throwing quarterback with tons of college traits and the upside to excel on the next level. The Lynx star passer holds multiple high quality P5 offers, so he is a marked, wanted man and someone that could be close to making his college commitment. Glenn has seen his stock sore over the offseason and established himself as one of the pro style quarterbacks in the country. Look for this West Tennessee product to make his decision very soon and will more than likely do so before we crank up the summer camp season next month.
2. (Ath) Marquez Taylor Marquez Taylor 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB McKenzie | 2023 State TN (6’0 175) – McKenzie
– The Rebels have themselves a star in Taylor and a guy that should be playing Power Five football in 2023 and do so at a high level. This two-way talent has the athleticism and big play abilities to shine bright on either side of the ball in college but if you ask me personally, I like him best at defensive back. Taylor has nice size with long arms and a physical frame that plays up well on the collegiate gridiron. This West Tennessee product has a bevy of strong offers right, including ones from Kentucky, Michigan St, Tennessee and others. He could add even more if he performs well over the next few months during camp season.
3. (DB) Jaxon Hammond Jaxon Hammond 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Christian Brothers | 2023 State TN (5’11 160) – Christian Brothers
– As we head into the summer months, Hammond is considered the top defensive back prospect from the greater Memphis area while also being one of the Top 5 ranked DB’s by #PRZTN for the entire state. This is a silky smooth, technique sound prospect that shows upside to stay outside at cornerback on the next level but sports the football smarts to play anywhere in the secondary if needed. Hammond has seen his recruiting stock take off this offseason where he sports multiple strong options for the next level but he could be on the verge of adding some big offers over the coming months if he continues to develop on the current path he is on.
4. (QB) Braylen Ragland Braylen Ragland 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Bartlett | 2023 State TN (6’2 195) – Bartlett
– This current offseason has been a big one for Ragland where he has developed and improved his craft in multiple ways and took his recruiting stock to another level where he is close to becoming a national recruit. This Memphis area signal caller has some of the best mechanics of all QB’s in this state and class but also has a strong right arm to sling it anywhere on the field. Ragland has the college size and passing traits to play at the highest level and coaches are starting to pay attention. Watch out for this gunslinger this summer as Ragland could add several big time offers and even move up within our next rankings.
5. (T/G) Tyler Bell Tyler Bell 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’3 295) – Lausanne
– Bell is a big boy that loves moving people and when you watch him on film, the Lynx O-lineman moves those people with ease due to his strong and agile lower base along with solid technique and powerful hands. Ranked inside the #PRZTN Top 50, Bell is a versatile guy that can play multiple positions across the O-line and even shows signs of playing tackle on the collegiate level. Headed into the summer camp months, Bell holds multiple offers, including a few from the D1 ranks but his talents warrants more and I believe he will add plenty after college coaches get the chance to watch this big man move in person.
6. (DT) Jaden McKinney Jaden McKinney 6'4" | 285 lbs | DL Collierville | 2023 State TN (6’3 285) – Collierville
– Strong and agile with active, powerful hands, McKinney is ranked inside the Top 5 D-linemen and it’s for good reason. This guy has tremendous upside as a multi talented interior D-lineman that does fit best inside but shows the mobility and athleticism to move around the line if need be. McKinney looks the part of a run stuffer but this Dragons D-lineman has pass rushing skills as well. This is a good athlete in the middle that has his best football days ahead of him. His recruitment has been steady, adding a recent offer from Ball St. but I expect many others to jump on board with this Memphis defender sooner than later.
7. (DB) A.C. Mason-Young A.C. Mason-Young 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Covington | 2023 State TN (5’11 175) – Covington
– A multi talented defensive back that can play a variety of roles within the secondary, Mason-Young is an athletic guy that brings a lot of strong traits to the defensive side of the ball and the upside to excel on the next level. This is a feisty competitor that enjoys creating contact and being a nuisance for the opposing team. He also shows the ability to run and cover, so this Chargers senior defender is a good value prospect that can do a little bit of everything for your defense. College coaches are missing the boat on this guy right now but soon hopefully those elusive offers start coming his way.
8. (Ath) Max Carroll Max Carroll 6'3" | 210 lbs | ATH Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN (6’3 210) – Briarcrest Christian
– Carroll has been one of the more intriguing prospects to follow this offseason as he is a multi talented guy that could develop on the next level on either side of the ball but as head into the summer months, this West Tennessee product is looking more and more like a future linebacker. Carroll has great size, length and the athleticism to cause havoc on defense as a roaming linebacker that can rush or drop in coverage. The Saints senior athlete holds several strong offers right now, including ones from Arkansas, Memphis, Texas A&M, Tennessee along with interest coming from several big time programs. Watch out for this guy over the next few months as Carroll could develop into a bigger national recruit.
9. (G/C) Nate Bledsoe Nate Bledsoe 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN (6’4 285) – Briarcrest Christian
– Bledsoe established himself as one of the best O-line prospects not only from the greater Memphis area this offseason but also the entire state as well and now he is all set for a big senior year with his college decision already made. The Saints interior mauler committed recently to Rice after picking up more than 20 offers throughout this recruiting process and decided on the Owls as the best option for future both on and off the field. Bledsoe is one of more athletic and mobile interior linemen in this class and a guy who has a bright future down in Houston playing in the trenches. This guy could also take his football talents even further past college if he continues to develop on the path he is currently on.
10. (T/G) Luke Needham Luke Needham 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Houston | 2023 State TN (6’5 300) – Houston
– Rice double dipped in the city of Memphis for O-linemen as Needham committed to the Owls last month, giving the C-USA squad two strong and athletic guys from the West Tennessee region that loves moving people. Needham is a powerful dude that has worked extra hard on his athleticism this offseason and developed very well to where he could play tackle during his time at Rice. He has powerful hands and enjoys hitting defenders but he also has active feet that helps with protecting the passer. This is an underrated pickup by the Owls and a guy who has a bright future ahead of him.
Five Others to Know: (DB) Langston Rogers Langston Rogers 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lausanne | 2023 State TN – Lausanne, (WR) Devin Johnson II Devin Johnson II 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Briarcrest | 2023 State TN – Briarcrest Chrst., (WR) Jamari Person Jamari Person 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Haywood | 2023 State TN – Haywood, (DT) Ethan Jones Ethan Jones 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Lausanne | 2023 State TN – Lausanne, (LB) J’Addison Brown J’Addison Brown 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Germantown | 2023 TN – Germantown