Film Room: #TN2023 Under the Radar Prospects

We are right in the middle of college camp season and while many are turning heads and earning offers, the prospects mentioned here have yet to see an uptick with their recruitments but trust me they are worthy! These five prospects here all have the talent, physical traits and upside to excel on the college level but are still waiting on those offers. Hopefully that changes soon as more coaches look deeper into these five talented in-state prospects.   1. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id="252004" first="Jack" last="McLaughlin"] (6’4 195) - Christian Brothers <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-368477" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/jackmac-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - If any college coaches out there are looking for a big presence in the pocket with a huge right arm, McLaughlin is your guy! This Memphis area signal caller has all the physical traits to command the huddle inside the college game but he is still waiting on that opportunity and offers to arrive. McLaughlin stepped into the starting role at Christian Brothers during mid-season last year but now he has had an entire offseason behind him as the lead guy behind center, so big things are expected from this tall gunslinger this coming Fall. This first major trait that stands out about McLaughlin when watching his film is his sound mechanics and zip behind his passes. He can really spin it and get the ball out in a hurry while also placing the ball on the time. McLaughlin can make all the throws that you see on the Power Five, NFL level but coaches have yet to recognize those abilities. This coming season with the Purple Wave will be key for McLaughlin towards impressing college programs and earning his spot on the next level. All the upside and arm talent is there, so it’s just about putting together strong film and producing at a high level and if McLaughlin does that, his college dreams will come true. Jr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13033828/614ddf33d224e30930fe2c49">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13033828/614ddf33d224e30930fe2c49</a>   2. (WR) [player_tooltip player_id="265398" first="Sean" last="Aldridge"] (5’10 175) - Green Hill - Many college coaches have been to the Hawks campus over the past two years checking out their prospects but for some reason, nobody has pulled the trigger on offer yet for Aldridge but let me tell you they are missing the boat! This guy is a gamer, someone that shows up in big moments and big games but is also someone that is consistent and dependable. Aldridge is yes a tad undersized but he is big enough and talented to get the job done. He is an excellent route runner with deceptive speed. The Hawks wideout also knows how to get open and find the spots within the defense to haul in passes. His game fits perfectly in the slot but can work outside if needed due to his high football IQ and ability to get past defenders. Aldridge is also the ultimate worker that loves the game of football. He has taken full advantage of this offseason to develop and improve his game further, competing with and against other high level college prospects and he has held his own. You want someone like Aldridge on the football field and inside your locker room because of his talents but also because of his intangibles. I don’t know how his recruitment will end up but whoever lands this guy will be getting a steal and someone that could put up big numbers on the college level. Jr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13249358/61843c83041dbb0c2c1950de">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13249358/61843c83041dbb0c2c1950de</a>   3. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102300" first="Stef" last="Ponder"] (6’0 210) - Father Ryan <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-368485" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/sponder-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - This offseason has been big for this Fighting Irish linebacker as he helped put himself on the map as a possible college middle backer who is still learning the position and has plenty of potential to grow into. Ponder is a former running back that fully transitioned into a linebacker this offseason and he has really taken to his new position and developed quite well. He is a strong, stocky young man that moves laterally very well and shows quick instincts towards chasing down the ball. Ponder is a physical competitor that does not shy away from making contact and when he sees the ball, this Middle Tennessee linebacker unloads on the ball carrier with furry. Ponder is a good athlete with lite feet that has an easy moving lower base and the ability to chase down the ball sideline to sideline. He works through the mesh very well, understanding where he needs to be to make a play on the ball. The Fighting Irish senior back still needs to keep developing his overall speed and technique but the upside is there to be a fast run stuffer in the middle. His camp season this summer has been strong thus far, so those college offers could be right around the corner. Jr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8428732/627c36625798700c889cf6cd">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8428732/627c36625798700c889cf6cd</a>   4. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="228639" first="Rahmaan" last="Rinkin"] (5’10 175) - Bartlett <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/rahrinkin-crop-828x544-1655998771.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-368488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/rahrinkin-crop-828x544-1655998771-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> - Part of a deep secondary at Bartlett, Rinkin is one of the standouts back there that brings a ballhawking mentality and versatility to the football field that plays up well on the collegiate level. The Panthers senior defender is a competitive guy that shows on film the ability to cover on the outside or slide into nickel and man up his opponent. Rinkin is an aggressive player that will fight on the line of scrimmage to gain an advantage but once in coverage, he allows his athleticism and instincts to take over. His versatility is a key component towards getting recruited to the next level but at the moment, Rinkin has yet to see those offers come his way. Possibly the biggest reason for the lack of recruitment for Rinkin is due to his size, height and weight. This Memphis area defensive back is undersized but to me that shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to recruiting Rinkin. He plays much bigger and is not afraid to stick his nose in the action and he is as dependable as they come. Rinkin brings a lot of tools to the defensive backfield that college coaches love to work with and is someone that stretches the secondary deeper as he can play a variety of roles. Hopefully after this camp season is over and a strong start to his senior year, Rinkin will finally start to see those college offers float his way. Jr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13184367/618081227bd37e06b851f4d5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13184367/618081227bd37e06b851f4d5</a>   5. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102319" first="Ian" last="Scott"] (5’10 165) - Brentwood Academy <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-368494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/iscott-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> - One of the most athletic prospects from our in-state 2023 recruiting class is this guy but he has yet to receive those college offers all high school prospects are striving for, however I think that should change soon. Scott is ultra athletic and a big play guy that could develop and excel on either side of the ball while also having plenty of potential for growth in the college game. The Eagles senior athlete might fit best over on offense where his speed and athleticism can be utilized best but it would not be surprising to see Scott end up at defensive back either. Even more value is brought to the table with Scott as he could be a key piece on special teams as a gunner or return man. The Eagles will be leaning on Scott this coming Fall to be one of their top go to guys on offense and ultimate playmaker that can find the endzone anytime the ball touches his hands. Those skills scream to me as a guy with college upside but the offers have yet to arrive. Interest is there from coaches but nobody is pulling the trigger and going all in with this Middle Tennessee playmaker just yet. That will change sooner than later, especially after new film comes from Scott this Fall and coaches dive deeper into this athletic game changer. Jr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12911798/619ebff8967698093c4ba11d">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12911798/619ebff8967698093c4ba11d</a>