2023 Under the Radar Prospects
The goal of the Under the Radar (UTR) Series is to highlight hidden gems at different positions in Mississippi football. The UTR Series will illuminate a path by introducing prospects who have had little to no exposure, or who may have…
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Continue ReadingThe goal of the Under the Radar (UTR) Series is to highlight hidden gems at different positions in Mississippi football. The UTR Series will illuminate a path by introducing prospects who have had little to no exposure, or who may have just simply, flown under the radar. This Under the Radar article will feature prospects from the 2023 recruiting class. Check out some of these student-athletes who will surely become sought after prospects here in the near future!
Tre Mallard | 2023 WR/CB | Simmons
Tre Mallard is a 2023 recruit who plays on both sides of the rock in 1A for the Simmons Blue Devils. He is a kid that has displayed productivity on either side of the ball he plays, but he is a DB in my estimation. Mallard is an exceptional athlete that moves with fluidity, and has a seamless approach to how he gets his job done. Simply put, the kid has the innate ability to cover. Though Tre has a slim build sitting at 165 lbs, he plays with plenty of physicality and strength relative to the position he plays. He is not a willing tackler, but when put in those situations, he answers the bell in a reliably steadfast manner. His mechanics and technique as a corner are there, but at times Mallard innately uses his instincts and natural ability to execute on coverage and within run support. Depending on the off-season this kid has, he can be a the type of player that teams have to account for on a weekly basis. I relay this sentiment in respect to his prowess as pass catcher and as a return threat. Tre Mallard has received attention from several JuCo programs up to this point, attaining a few offers for his services. Mallard will be entering his Senior season with a chip on his shoulder; as he looks to prove why he deserves more attention and recruitment than what is currently warranted.
Quintarus McCray Jr | 2023 FS | Greenville
Trey McCray Jr is a long and rangy safety with great spatial awareness and exceptional ball skills. He naturally thrives in coverage, but is a consistent tackler that brings a load with him when using that 6’5 frame to wrestle defenders to the ground. Trey is a more than willing contributor and tackler within defensive run support. McCray excels as a reactive defender with plenty of quick twitch ability. He uses this ability in the defensive secondary to commit to receivers right on time. Trey’s quickness and length allow him to commit to the WR at the last minute, often disrupting the completion of catches. McCray’s ability to do a variety of things is what sets him apart. He has great defensive instincts and technique post-snap, but I would like to see him become adept at distinguishing the run from the pass in game-like scenarios. McCray’s size and frame promotes a likely transition to the Star or OLB positions on the next level. His tackling and vision both improved from this season to the last, and they both will surely improve for his Senior season. This season will provide Trey McCray the opportunity to set himself apart as a potential 2023 recruit.
De’Andre Pullen | 2023 ATH | Madison Central
Pullen is a sub 4.5 40 offensive threat that went for over 1,100 yards and 15 TDs as he assisted the Jaguars of Madison Central in securing a 6A State Championship. The shifty ATH’s primary position offensively is running back. He is a back that understands his athleticism as a ball carrier, and also has figured out how to use his speed to set up blocks. Conversely De’Andre is also decisive in making cuts and reading the defensive front to his advantage when carrying the rock. The authority with which he hits the hole that his offensive line creates was something to marvel at. Pullen uses his strong core and impressive balance to fight off the arm tackles of defenders on several occasions. Once he gets to top speed, those after burners kick in and that 4.47 40 speed is apparent to gauge. The 2023 recruit is definitely a big play waiting to happen, and trouble for any defense to contain on a consistent basis. But… Hold on, there is a reason that De’Andre Pullen is listed as an “ATH” and not simply as a running back. Pullen is on double duty for the MC Jaguars playing at the OLB position as well. De’Andre uses his athletic skill-set to be a contributor to his team as a defender as well. Whether it is coming off the edge in a called blitz or reacting out in pass coverage, he makes his presence felt on the defensive end as well. Mr.Pullen is sure to see an influx of carries come his way his senior season. Last year he split touches in a loaded backfield and offense with 2022 RB Robert Dumas Jr., as they both were 1,000+ yard rushers. This season he will surely make his mark for Madison Central and himself, and I’m looking forward to seeing if they can possibly repeat!
Mason Clinton | 2023 DL | Petal
Legit 6’5, Long arms, attacks blocks well, loves to make plays on the football. These are a few of the notes that I have down for Mason Clinton out of Petal HS. The 2023 prospect is a kid with potential and flashes of being a dude. Mason is a rangy kid that has power as well. I was impressed with how he uses his hands to create separation and shed blocks. He plays through OL well and also has great technique. Clinton wins the majority of his reps by way of his athleticism and usage of hands. Being a 4.9 40 guy, he moves pretty well carrying his 6’5 270 lb frame. I would like to see him become more effective as a pass rusher going into his senior season. With his size and skill-set he would be a match up nightmare for the majority of the opponents he faces. The parts of his game that stood out the most are his get off and how well he changes direction while moving in tight spaces. Despite being as long and rangy as he is, Clinton plays with decent pad level and with exceptional leverage. This season I would like to see him make his presence felt more often for that Petal D Line group. Mason has received attention from several Junior Colleges and has Division 1 offers from Southeastern Louisiana, Nichols State, and Murray State. Clinton could improve his stock this fall by simply improving on the foundation that he’s already laid from last season. Look for Mason Clinton to crank up the heat and have a monster Senior season.
Zechariah Parodi | 2023 DE | Scott Central
Mr.Parodi is a student-athlete that understands the game at a high level for a kid his age. Zechariah understands offensive and defensive fronts and uses this depth of knowledge to his advantage in the field of play! Zechariah’s quickness and get off are his sharpest physical attributes to go along with his mental fortitude. Parodi has received interest from various programs in the state due to his defensive prowess. This kid has a a great motor and he simply loves to play the game. As a junior he was a prominent component of the defensive efforts that lead SC to the 2A State Championship last season. Zechariah moves well out of his DE position, and he is a monster at stopping the run. Parodi is a force off of the edge as well, but he could also play the 3 tech due to his technique, strength, and demeanor. He uses his hands fairly well, but I would like to see him use them on a more consistent basis. Parodi understands run schemes sure, but he also acknowledges the battle within the battle of the game played within the trenches. Coaching against him, I witnessed him call out various fronts and which plays correlate to to those fronts. He’s a vocal leader, a student of film study, and most importantly he’s a leader on and off the field. This kid will anchor that rebel D-Line this fall. They are looking to become a factor in helping the rebels win games and return to championship lore from the previous year!