Most Underrated: #TN2023 Defensive Prospects

Our #PRZTN senior rankings has loads of talented prospects spread out throughout this state with some guys being household names while others sit under the radar. Today’s featured piece looks at the most underrated prospects from the defensive side of the ball for the #TN2023 class and some guys that college coaches need to start taking a deeper look at as these players are talented and worthy of more looks.   1. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="155800" first="Tyler" last="Nix"] (6’4 215) - Beech #PRZTN Ranking: 77th Overall Position Ranking: 7th Ranked LB - Athletic with size, length and range, Nix is one of the more talented linebacker prospects that we have in this state and he is far from reaching his maximum capabilities. The Bucs senior back shows tons of upside and potential for the next level and schools are starting to take notice. Charlotte recently offered Nix and several other D1 schools are in pursuit. This guy will take a rise in our next updated rankings and might position himself as one of the hottest recruits after this summer camp and Fall football season.   2. (CB/S) [player_tooltip player_id="301351" first="Javon" last="Drake"] (6’1 195) - LaVergne #PRZTN Ranking: 97th Overall Position Ranking: 14th Ranked DB <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-350655" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/jdrake-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> - Drake is an athletic dude with size, speed and the ability to play multiple positions within the secondary and do so at a high level. College coaches are starting to recognize his skills, especially after the Wolverines defender ran a 4.2 forty at our recent #PRZTN Showcase. Drake still has many things to learn about playing defensive back but he has tremendous upside along with the size to be considered a worthy D1 recruited prospect. Look for this guy to continue to have a breakout party over the coming months and see his stock explode.   3. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="185583" first="Marco" last="Tyson"] (6’0 185) - Bartlett #PRZTN Ranking: 109th Overall Position Ranking: 15th Ranked DB - This West Tennessee product is truly one of the more underrated prospects in this state currently but schools are starting to take notice as not too long ago, Arkansas St. became his 1st D1 offer and feel many others are coming. Tyson is a ball hawk that tends to put himself around the ball on a consistent basis. He is also versatile to where he fits the safety role perfectly but can slide to nickel and perform quite well. College camp season will be big for this guy and I think he will earn his way into a bigger recruiting status.   4. (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="102234" first="Caleb" last="Graham"] (6’2 260) - Maryville #PRZTN Ranking: 69th Overall Position Ranking: 8th Ranked DL <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-350647" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/cgraham-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - When watching the guy on film, what you see is a consistent, hard nosed competitor that does all the small things right and tends to put himself in position to make a play on the ball. Graham is one of the best leverage lineman in this state and one of the best run stuffers as well. This East Tennessee product is a good athlete as well that shows upside as an interior pass rusher on the next level. Graham holds a few D1 offers from Army and Navy but his interest should spike after coaches are able to work with and see this guy perform in person this month during camp season.   5. (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="102200" first="Demonte" last="Cook"] (6’2 240) - Lebanon #PRZTN Ranking: 109th Overall Position Ranking: 11th Ranked DL - Cook cracks this underrated list as he currently holds no college offers and he should because this Blue Devils D-lineman is a physical competitor that brings a variety of talents to the trenches. He is a strong, physical guy that works very well against the run but also has the pass rush abilities to get after the quarterback on a consistent basis. Cook is a bit undersized by some standards but to me, this guy is a beast that will only get better as he matures. This guy will be a steal for whoever decides to put their chips all in on this Middle Tennessee D-lineman.   6. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102318" first="Drew" last="Scott"] (6’1 225) - Lausanne #PRZTN Ranking: 107th Overall Position Ranking: 13th Ranked LB - Scott has been a starter and known recruit out of the Memphis area for a hot moment now but he still sits waiting for those offers to arrive. This guy is well under the radar as Scott is a true middle backer that sports high football IQ along with the physical prowess to lay the wood on any running back that is in his way. The Lynx linebacker has developed his athleticism and speed further this offseason and should be a camp star this month, earning those elusive offers that he has been working so hard for.   7. (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="150351" first="Jabari" last="Simmons"] (6’3 260) - Brentwood Academy #PRZTN Ranking: 140th Overall Position Ranking: 18th Ranked DL <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-350645" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/jabsimmons-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - The Eagles should be strong on the defensive side of the ball this Fall season and a big part of their success will come by way of Simmons who is an athletic interior D-lineman that can get after the quarterback. You should see this guys ranking and stock rise over the coming months as Simmons is one of the better interior athletic D-linemen that we have in-state for this class. He already holds multiple FCS offers but he is building steam on the recruiting trail and I feel this Middle Tennessee standout could get off the underrated list and become a known name.   8. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="222268" first="Charlie" last="Harrell"] (6’1 180) - Christian Brothers #PRZTN Ranking: 128th Overall Position Ranking: 19th Ranked DB <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-350664" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/charrell-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - For some reason or another, many on the recruiting trail don’t know too much about Harrell but let me clue you in that this is one of the top underrated secondary defenders in this state and someone way under the radar. The Purple Wave senior safety brings a multitude of traits to the football field with size, length, athleticism and range to chase the ball anywhere on the gridiron. Harrell should be a camp star this summer and someone not just me but other scouts are talking about and watching this Fall season.   9. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="242086" first="Tanner" last="Schuck"] (6’3 240) - Ravenwood #PRZTN Ranking: Unranked Position Ranking: 26th Ranked DL - Strong versus the run with a quick, physical pass rush, Schuck is an underrated prospect that has the abilities to transform into a D1 prospect this summer with continued work and development. He has picked up steam these last few months, adding a few FCS offers and it’s due to his potential as a guy that has the traits to work within either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense on the next level. After scouting this Raptors edge rusher in more depth over the past month, I foresee Schuck rising up our next updated rankings and become a hotly contested prospect on the recruiting trail.   10. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="153513" first="Garrett" last="Hawkins"] (6’2 210) - Sevier Co. #PRZTN Ranking: Unranked Position Ranking: 28th Ranked LB <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-279263" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/ghawkins-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - One of the highest producing tacklers over the last few seasons is Hawkins and college coaches are beginning to recognize his abilities as a few FCS offers have come in with others highly interested. This East Tennessee high volume tackler has good size along with a nice frame and arm length that next level coaches like. He has shown so far this spring that his athleticism and speed has increased and that enhancement has spiked his college recruitment. This is a talented linebacker that will take a big rise up in our next updated rankings and work on no longer being considered underrated but wanted.   Five Others to Know: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="226009" first="Eriq" last="George"] - MBA, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201081" first="Jackson" last="Steele"] - Carter, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102300" first="Stef" last="Ponder"] - Father Ryan, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102363" first="Tate" last="Wirth"] - St. George’s, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102334" first="Gavin" last="Smith"] - Father Ryan