2023 Prospects With Something to Prove

There are dozens of 2023 student-athletes that have made a name for themselves as potential prospective college recruits in the Magnolia state. With camp season winding down, I would like to take a look at a few guys that have positively impacted their recruitment, but should be more sought after. These guys all have great tape and an even better upside as potential college teammates. All of these athletes will be entering their Senior seasons with expectations of proving why they should be high commodities as far as recruitment goes. Not only are they great athletes, but these guys are exceptional young men as well. Here is a look at a couple of 2023’s that will solidify themselves as HS standouts in the state of Mississippi. Jermiah Hicks | 2023 ATH | Scott Central Jermiah Hicks is a kid that has a high ceiling as a football player simply due to the fact of what his skill-set allows him to do. Jermiah is a sub 4.5 40 guy and also a 500 lb squatter. He plays both sides of the ball, but premiers as a defensive threat for the reigning 2A State Champion Scott Central Rebels. Hicks is listed as an athlete, and has tape where he plays: OLB, Nickle, and even SS. I have always marveled at the speed and agility this kid shows when hunting to close in to make tackles. Don’t let Jermiah’s stature fool you, the 2023 prospect plays bigger than his stature and is a natural defender. This kid is always around the ball and seems to be in the right place at the right time (High IQ guy). Hicks is at his best when screaming off of the edge to create pressure for the defense. He wreaks havoc as a blitzer and rarely misses any opportunities to make plays that impact the outcome of games. With his 8 sacks, 18 TFL, and 1 INT as a Junior, his senior campaign will surely turn heads after he has added muscle and further improved his speed. The wild card is that he is an offensive threat as well, accounting for 6 TDs last year. With a couple departures from that high powered Rebel offense, I expect Jermiah’s role in that offense to grow exponentially. This kid will be a force in 2A this year and will be a problem to deal with on both sides of the football. You will hear about Mr.Hicks this fall. Trust me. Offered by: Centenary, Graceland University, SUL Ross State University, Mississippi Prep <img class="alignnone wp-image-379826" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/HIcks--164x300.jpg" alt="" width="137" height="251" />     [player_tooltip player_id="340872" first="Noah" last="Short"] | 2023 CB | Madison Ridgeland Aca. [player_tooltip player_id="340872" first="Noah" last="Short"] is your traditional CB that checks several boxes as a potential 2023 recruit. Short has great feet, hips, and hands with plenty of twitch to him. The 2023 student-athlete is a dual sport athlete that excels in track as well. Noah can play the boundary or the field CB, but I would play him as a boundary corner based on how well he covers and recognizes routes. I love his eye discipline and how technique-based his game is as a whole. He’s another kid on this list that just always seems to be in the right place at the right time (4.5 GPA on 5.0 scale). He has pretty impressive recovery speed and tackles exceptionally well. Short’s ball skills are also an adequate part of his game. His eye discipline and route recognition aid him in making defensive plays on the football. What stood out most from Noah’s tape was his ability to change direction and get to top speed in the blink of an eye. At times he allows reciever to get on his toes a bit, but he always seamlessly gets back into phase before the ball arrives. Last season was a season to remember for [player_tooltip player_id="340872" first="Noah" last="Short"] and the MRA Patriots, as him and his teammates look to repeat the success from last year’s championship run. Short will be a pivotal part of that teams secondary as the Patriots look to follow up with yet another 6A-MAIS Championship. Offered by: Davidson, Alabama A&M, Pearl River CC, Miss. Gulf Coast CC <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/FPxlWJiXEAIKGnC-crop-577x379-1657342189.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-380140" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/FPxlWJiXEAIKGnC-crop-577x379-1657342189-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>     Demarcco Blanton | 2023 ATH | Adams County Christian School Mr. Blanton is a big play waiting to happen offensively that also has a natural nose for the endzone. Demarcco mostly operates out of the Slot, but the 2023 ATH is a threat wherever he lines up on the field. At 6’0 175 lb, the kid has a catch radius that is much wider than what his frame alone would promote. Demarcco has strong hands and is not afraid to go up and make contested grabs. His hands and spatial awareness allow him to complete catches while moving through traffic with ease. Blanton is a prospect that simply needs the ball in his hands in space. His smooth running motion almost makes his speed deceptive and allows him to create space at the top of his routes. Demarcco’s innate ability to simply run away from defenders is apparent on his tape. You couple that with his quick twitch ability and they allow him to be a big play threat at any moment. With that being said, Demarcco proved to be a reliable contributor as a return specialist as well. He makes impacts on the game whenever given the opportunity to do so. I would like to see him become a more refined and crisp route runner to help him transition on to the next level. Blanton had scores for Natchez HS last season passing, rushing, and of course receiving. He is now a member of Adams County Christian School’s squad heading into his senior campaign. Demarcco is a great addition to Adams Co. Christian’s Offense that will surely prove to be pivotal for the Rebels this fall. Offered by: Centenary, Louisiana Christian University, SAGU, Hinds CC, Copiah Lincoln CC, & Southwest Miss CC <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-380145" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/FTTiqAYXoAMhk1C-201x300.jpeg" alt="" width="201" height="300" />