Film Room: #TN2023 Senior Evaluations
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The 2022 season is close to being concluded, which means it’s time to turn on that projector and break down some film! Below are five senior prospects that we feel are college level guys. 1. (QB) Drew Lambert Drew Lambert…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 season is close to being concluded, which means it’s time to turn on that projector and break down some film! Below are five senior prospects that we feel are college level guys.
1. (QB) Drew Lambert Drew Lambert 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State TN (6’2 210) – Cleveland
– Sporting nice size along with a big arm, Lambert is one of the more underrated quarterback talents remaining from our in-state 2023 recruiting class. He is a multi year starter, team leader and ultimate worker that will only get better as he matures and grows within a college system. This past senior season for Lambert was another good step in the right direction as he developed further his arm power, his ability to read defense’s while also increasing his athleticism and mobility in the pocket. What this East Tennessee signal caller does the best is deliver the ball with conviction and confidence. He will stick the ball into tight windows and put the ball where his receivers can make plays.
Lambert is a good prospect that does a lot of things right, including his availability. He is a durable guy that plays with a certain mental and physical toughness that you appreciate in your quarterback and he always tends to be there every game, ready to play. Lambert does need to keep working on his craft and pushing himself further as a football player but he is well tested and talented enough to make it into a FCS or even a FBS quarterback room and carve out a role on someone’s roster.
College Projection: FBS Preferred Walk-On, FCS, D2
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2. (RB) Jevon Edmondson Jevon Edmondson 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Overton | 2023 State TN (5’11 195) – Overton
– If you are looking for a physical bruiser who enjoys running over defenders, Edmondson is your guy! Built like a truck with a powerful upper body and lower base, this Middle Tennessee running back put forth his best high football season this year as a senior, where he ran for over 1,200 yards and sometimes put his Bobcats offense on his back. Edmondson is an absolute beast that is very hard to bring down. You can not arm tackle this guy and if you get in front of him, you better get low because he will run you over. His vision is outstanding as well and he tends to take the right angles when tacklers float his way.
The biggest step that Edmondson took in his maturation this season was his speed. The Bobcats senior back won’t ever be a speed demon but increasing that trait has made him a bigger problem for opposing defenders when they try to tackle him. Edmondson is also a 1st class teammate that understands the little things, like pass blocking, which he is one of the best at doing in the Mid-State area. When you turn on his film, you see a power back with enough speed and wiggle to break the big one but also churn out those needed few yards for the 1st downs, so to me that makes Edmonson a legit D1 college recruit.
College Projection: Group of Five (D1), FCS
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3. (TE) Tyshawn Tate Tyshawn Tate 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE Whitehaven | 2023 State TN (6’5 215) – Whitehaven
– Tall, long and athletic are three traits that immediately stand out with Tate when you flip on his highlights. This is an untapped talent with big upside for the next level as a stretch tight end that can be flexed out wide and eventually play with his hand in the dirt. This Memphis pass catcher broke out this season for his Whitehaven team as a guy who could stretch the field catching deep passes and give opposing defenders fits as a mismatch problem due to his size and speed. Tate can run and his burst off the line is tough for linebackers or smaller defenders to play against. His film shows his ability to play on the line but his skill set is better suited at the moment to flex out and play in the slot or even be used on reverse plays due to his speed.
His recruitment has yet to flourish because Tate is just now coming into his own and forming into the player he can become down the road. He needs more time to mature and develop his body and craft further but you can see the major upside on film as an athletic receiver that can be used in multiple ways. The Tigers senior product has to continue adding more strength and size to his body but if you want a guy that can be a deep threat and make “wow” type of plays, Tate brings those kinds of abilities and more.
College Projection: FBS Preferred Walk-On, FCS, D2
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4. (DE/LB) Tanner Schuck Tanner Schuck 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2023 State TN (6’3 230) – Ravenwood
– Over the past few seasons, Schuck has been one of the more productive pass rushers from the greater Mid-Tennessee area and this senior year was possibly his best showing yet. Displaying burst, speed and violence off the edge, Schuck was a highly disruptive player this season, both rushing the backfield and competing strongly against the run. His explosive first step caused a lot of O-linemen fits this year and once he got to the ball, he punished the carrier with controlled violence. Schuck is a well put together young man that will only get bigger and stronger once he works into a college weight system.
This Raptors senior brings several strong traits to the football field and someone with the versatility to play with his hand in the dirt or work off the edge, stopping the run or dropping against the pass. Schuck shows on film enough upside to keep working on his pass coverage but the ability to chase down the ball is already there. This guy is just scratching the surface of what I feel could be a very productive college career. Schuck is a polished football player that could come in next season and immediately compete for playing time, depending on his continued progression.
College Projection: Group of Five (D1), FCS, D2
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5. (S) Justin Walker Justin Walker 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Sevier Co. | 2023 TN (6’0 180) – Sevier Co.
– The Smoky Bears had one of the best defenses from the East Tennessee region this 2022 season and Walker was a major factor in that cause. His play was critical on the back end this year as both a key cog in stopping the run but also a ballhawk that made several plays against opposing passing attacks. Walker is a clean, efficient ball player meaning he always puts himself in the right spot to make plays on the ball while also directing others on where they need to be. When he missed time due to injury, his play was missing and evident that Walker needs to be on the field because his value is just too high. Walker’s intelligence, leadership and physical play are traits that travel well to the next level.
Possibly the biggest knock against Walker is his speed but when you watch his film, he runs fine and he actually shows good closing speed with a violent finish. He has no problem sticking his nose into the mesh, helping stop the run. This East Tennessee product does need to keep working on his overall speed and athleticism but his football smarts and ball skills fit well in the college game that could improve even further over the coming years.
College Projection: FCS, D2, NAIA