#PRZTN: Mid-Season Film Room (Defensive Prospects)
In this article:
1. (DL) Caleb Graham Caleb Graham 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Maryville | 2023 State TN (6’2 260) – Maryville Strengths: Leverage; Lower body power; Active motor; Great hands; Good Ath. with room to develop further; Shows pass rush…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading1. (DL) Caleb Graham Caleb Graham 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Maryville | 2023 State TN (6’2 260) – Maryville
Strengths: Leverage; Lower body power; Active motor; Great hands; Good Ath. with room to develop further; Shows pass rush traits; High FB IQ; Max effort guy; Great competitor
Weaknesses: Overall athleticism & explosiveness; Size, power (Must continue adding more strength to frame)
Overview: Looking over the Mid-Season film, Graham looks much more explosive and athletic compared to last year, which shows he is working to develop further his weaknesses. This is an all-out, max effort competitor that you know what you’re getting from Graham everytime he steps on the field. He is a consistent, technique sound D-lineman that can play a variety of roles inside the trenches. Graham works mainly in the interior but with his size and skill set, the Rebels senior D-lineman could play the edge on occasions inside a 3-4 defense. The Black Knights of Army are getting a steal in Graham and a player with his best football days ahead of him.
Offers: Committed to Army
2. (DL) Braxton Wilson Braxton Wilson 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL Fayetteville | 2023 State TN (6’4 265) – Fayetteville
Strengths: Great transition from speed to power; Strong upper body; Quick first step; Physical competitor; Active hands & feet; DL versatile; Can pass rush the inside or work the edge
Weaknesses: Continued work on his lateral quickness; Become more flexible; Play with better leverage
Overview: Wilson burst onto the scene this summer after attending college camps and showing off his talents that still have potential for more growth. His film proves that the Tigers D-lineman is progressing in the right direction as he has enhanced his speed and power along with understanding how to use his hands. Wilson is an active, athletic guy with great size and moves well too. He shows explosive traits along with being able to rush the backfield from the outside or the interior. Wilson holds several FCS offers and a few from the D1 level but expect this Middle Tennessee lineman to explode over the coming months.
Offers: Air Force, Army, ETSU, Mercer, Navy
3. (LB) Drew Scott Drew Scott 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’1 225) – Lausanne
Strengths: Physical, violent hitter; Built like a rock; Strong football instincts; Nose for the ball; Reads & reacts to play quickly; Good speed and range; Intense competitor; High character, very coachable
Weaknesses: Flexibility; Lower body agility (These areas are improving however)
Overview: This is one of the more underrated defensive senior prospects in this state and if you look at his film, he plays with a chip on his shoulder, striving for that recognition. Scott is a fierce competitor that tracks the ball very well and when he gets to it, he punishes the ball carrier. This Lynx middle backer plays with that certain intensity that you want but it’s controlled violence that Scott brings to the field along with a fierce attitude towards winning that is hard to break. You want this guy on the football field and inside your locker room as he will give everything he has and then some!
Offers: Missouri Southern St., UT-Martin
4. ’24 (LB) Cooper Cameron Cooper Cameron 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN (6’2 215) – Knox. Webb
Strength: Broad shouldered guy with great overall size and arm length; Wide radius; Quick, active feet; Explodes towards the ball; Punishing hitter; Tracks the ball well; Good Ath. with range; Middle backer that can play outside
Weaknesses: Bend, flexibility; Continue to enhance his speed, range; Dropping into coverage
Overview: Pay attention to this junior linebacker over the next two years as Cameron brings a lot to the table that translates well to the next level. This is a big boy that will get bigger once he gets into a college weight system, so from a physical standpoint, Cameron has it. He is also a good athlete that shows on film the ability to diagnose the play early and explode towards the ball without hesitation. He has good instincts along with the range to track the ball sideline to sideline. He is also fast enough to work the edge if asked to. Cameron is a very talented tackler that should see his stock grow over the coming months.
Offers: None
5. ‘24 (DL) Malik Bolling Malik Bolling 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL East Nashville | 2024 State TN (6’2 255) – East Nashville
Strengths: Athleticism; Powerful, active hands; Pass rush abilities/traits; FB smart, technique sound; DL versatile; Good motor; Solid bend, flexibility; Consistent performer
Weaknesses: Continued work in the weight room; Added size to upper body; Continue to build up stamina, conditioning
Overview: Bolling is steadily becoming one of the better D-line prospects from the greater Middle Tennessee area and that’s due to his active motor and ability to rush the backfield along with several other strong traits. The Eagles junior D-lineman is an athletic trench worker that knows how to use his hands and maneuver his way around blockers. He also shows on the film the ability to get off blocks and chase down the ball carrier, using his speed and lower body flexibility. He does need to keep bigger and stronger overall but Bolling has a nice frame to pack on more weight and become an even bigger force from the interior of the D-line. Look for this guy’s recruitment to take off sooner than later and develop himself into an in-state Top 100 prospect.
Offers: Austin Peay
6. ‘25 (Edge) Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN (6’3 215) – Page
Strengths: Size, length & frame; Great physical traits; Broad shouldered, wide radius; Pass rushing upside; Active hands; Knows how to bend the corner; Good athlete; Good speed & range; Can drop and cover
Weaknesses: Continued maturity within the game; Added size to his frame; Enhanced speed & explosiveness
Overview: This is the lone sophomore talked about here and it’s for good reason as Hazzard has the look and feel of one of the best 2025 prospects in this state. He has all the size and physical traits you look for in an edge linebacker and Hazzard is far from a finished product, which is an exciting thing. The Pats edge rusher shows on the film the ability to consistently play in the backfield, either sacking the quarterback or moving him out of the pocket. He is also a good athlete that can chase down the ball carrier or drop into pass coverage. Hazzard will be a guy that many know about over time and a possible future Power Five prospect.
Offers: Western Ky
7. (DB) Markellus Bass Markellus Bass 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH McGavock | 2023 State TN (5’10 185) – McGavock
Strengths: Aggressive mentality; Fearless attitude; Well built frame; Physical competitor; Athletic with good speed; Quick feet; Reads and reacts well; DB versatile; Plays well vs. the run; Key piece for special teams
Weaknesses: Increased speed; Play recognition; Initial burst
Overview: Starting back in the spring, Bass made it a point to develop his game further and he’s done just that. Looking over his Mid-Season film, this Raiders defensive back looks faster, stronger and more attentive towards reading and reacting to what’s in front of him. Bass is an aggressive guy that won’t back down from competition. He is someone that will cause issues all game long because of his fearless attitude and desire to do his job. HIs versatility is what appeals the most as Bass could play nickelback or safety on the next level and even slide over to corner on occasions. This is someone that could also return kicks or be your gunner on special teams. Bass brings a lot of value and his senior film should generate more recruiting interest.
Offers: Bethel, Cumberland, Kentucky Wesleyan, UT-Martin
8. (S) Gavin Smith Gavin Smith 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’2 185) – Father Ryan
Strengths: Size, arm length, wide radius; Tall and long with room to add more size; Smart, savvy ball player; Uses his size well as an advantage; Solid speed and athleticism; High character; Team 1st guy
Weaknesses: Flexibility, lower body agility; Enhanced speed; Be more aggressive
Overview: Smith is one of the more consistent safety prospects in the state that has been playing a lot of cornerback this season. The Fighting Irish senior is showing this season his versatility along with increased speed that allows him to possibly play some corner on the next level. His game translates best to safety where he can use his size to play center field but also roam to make tackles against the run. Smith has developed further his physicality and willingness to come up and play the run. He still has development to go but this Middle Tennessee safety is a consistent performer that would be a great addition to anyone’s defensive backfield and locker room.
Offers: Bethel
9. ‘24 (CB/S) Kollin Collier Kollin Collier 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Munford | 2024 State TN (6’1 175) – Briarcrest Christian
Strengths: Height, length, wide radius; Mismatch problem at CB against smaller WR’s; High points the ball well; Quick to break on the ball; Aggressive; Shows good closing speed, range
Weaknesses: Added weight, size; Continued development with his speed, athleticism; Lower body quickness
Overview: Collier is one of the more intriguing talents from the in-state 2024 class as the Saints defensive back has tremendous upside as a possible lockdown cover corner or a ball hawk at safety that can make it to the Power Five level. His height and length are a problem for opposing receivers as Collier can use his size to engulf pass catchers and make it hard for quarterbacks to throw it his direction. He shows on film the ability to track the ball well and quickly close on the pass. Collier also has a nose for the ball that would work well at free safety. This West Tennessee defender has a lot of potential and it’s hard to find defensive backs with his size, length and athleticism, so keep an eye on this guy’s recruitment.
Offers: Alabama St., Yale
Mid-Szn Film:
10. ‘23 (S) Dominic Reed Dominic Reed 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2024 State TN (6’1 195) – Centennial
Strengths: Size, length, powerful frame (Looks the part); Great athlete that can run; Gamer that knows where the ball is on a consistent basis; Solid vs. the run; Instinctive, smart; High character, Hard worker
Weaknesses: He can run but increase the speed further; Diagnosing the play early; Enhance his range
Overview: Watch out for this junior safety going forward as on film he shows the upside and abilities to play big time college football one day and he is just now scratching the surface. Reed is a two sport star that is equally as talented on the basketball court but his future might be on the gridiron as a big, hard hitting safety with range and instincts. He has already become a standout for the Cougars defense this season picking off three passes while also contributing over on offense. Reed is a ball hawk with tons of upside and physical traits that collegiate coaches look for, so I expect to see this guy’s recruitment explode over the coming months.
Offers: None