#PRZTN Film Room: Junior Evaluations
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The offseason just began, so that means we will be in the film room a lot over the coming months, breaking down tons of highlights, including these five future in-state college prospects. 1. (RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III…
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Continue ReadingThe offseason just began, so that means we will be in the film room a lot over the coming months, breaking down tons of highlights, including these five future in-state college prospects.
1. (RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN (6’0 198) – Franklin Road Academy
– Coming off a breakthrough junior season, Clark returns for his final year of high school ball as possibly one of the best running backs in the state and that’s due to his combination of balance, size and speed along with the work ethic that college coaches desire to have in their locker room. Clark is a big guy that is well put together and he has no problem using his physicality and size to his advantage. Once he gets going and moving downhill, this Mid-Tennessee product is tough to bring down while also sporting enough speed to break away from his opponents as well.
Plenty of running backs across the state and country have some of the same traits as Clark but what sets him apart is his ability to catch out the backfield and willingness to block in pass protection. He has excellent hands while running routes like a receiver. Clark is well balanced too meaning he can anchor to take on pass rushers. This guy brings a lot of consistent, strong traits to the backfield that will only develop further with more maturity and work as the years go on.
His game is far from a finished product as Clark must continue to get faster along with gaining more lower base agility but the size, physicality and intangible traits are there to become a highly valued, recruited college prospect. Clark has already landed an offer from Colorado St. and I expect many others to follow suit over the coming months.
College Projection: D1, FCS
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2. (WR/TE) Blake Wolfard Blake Wolfard 6'4" | 195 lbs | TE Signal Mountain | 2024 State TN (6’4 190) – Signal Mountain
– Many college coaches or scouts may not know too much right now about this Chattanooga area wideout but they will before the offseason has been completed. Wolfard is a natural pass catcher that knows how to get open and use his strong hands and body to come down with completions on a consistent basis. Last year as a junior, Wolfard put up 980 yards on 68 receptions for 9 touchdowns while being the main focal point for each and every defense his Eagles team came across last season. This junior receiver stepped up to the challenge and showed up every week, even through a tough season where wins came at a premium. That type of competitive play shows up within his highlights while also showing upside to play a variety of offensive roles on the next level.
Wolfard is a big boy that has already started to pack on more weight this offseason while also sharpening his pass receiving skills. The Eagles junior prospect has potential to remain at wide receiver in college but may have more upside as a flex tight end that presents mismatch issues for linebackers and smaller defensive backs. This guy has the frame, arm length and strong hands to develop into a potent pass catching tight end in time but more work must be done of course.
Wolfard is an intriguing talent due to his physical look and abilities but also because of his work ethic as well. This is a worker and someone that is dedicated to his craft and becoming the best player he can be as this Eagles wideout has big aspirations at playing college ball and right now, he is definitely on the track to get there next Fall.
College Projection: FCS, D2, NAIA
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3. (DL) Mason Ball Mason Ball 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Elizabethton | 2024 State TN (6’5 265) – Elizabethton
– The moment this guy walks off the bus, Ball immediately looks the part of a future college football player as he has the size and physical tools that translates well to the next level and the great thing about this East Tennessee D-lineman is that he is far from a finished product. Sporting height and length along with a wide radius, Ball is a big presence across the line that uses his physical tools and football smarts to get through and around would-be blockers. On film, Ball shows a nice burst off the snap along with bend to get around tackles. He also plays with a high motor that doesn’t stop until the final whistle, so this pass rusher presents a lot of challenges for the opposition.
This guy is not only a pass rusher but Ball could be one of the best defensive end prospects in the state against the run. The Cyclones rising senior understands how to use his hands and get off blocks then chase after the ball carrier before he starts getting downhill. Ball is a multi talented defensive end prospect that brings a little bit of everything to the football field and he is still learning, so the future certainly looks bright for this East Tennessee product.
So far through his recruitment, Ball has yet to pick up his first offer but is definitely receiving interest from several D1 programs, including heavy interest right now from Virginia Tech. More schools will soon get involved as more coaches look over his film and visit with him in person. His size and potential is too strong to look past, so sooner than later, Ball will start to see a serious spike in his recruitment.
College Projection: P5, D1, FCS
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4. (LB) Lance Taylor Lance Taylor 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Bartlett | 2024 State TN (6’1 210) – M.A.S.E.
– If you are looking for a linebacker that can run and play with violence, Taylor is your guy! This West Tennessee prospect is one of the fastest, most explosive linebackers in the state for the #TN2024 class and collegiate coaches have definitely taken notice. So far, Taylor has received more than 15 D1 offers with several Power Five schools interested. This guy will be heavily recruited until the moment he commits and eventually signs and his film shows you why that will be the case.
Taylor does not hesitate when he diagnoses plays as he uses his speed to chase down the ball then finish with controlled violence. He plays with a fearless attitude that you love for a linebacker but he also brings a variety of athletic traits to the position that intrigues coaches and scouts. Taylor is rangy, meaning he can play sideline to sideline but he can also drop and cover in space, so he is more than a hitter, he is an athletic backer that can do a variety of things on the football field.
One thing that Taylor must continue to work on is his strength. This Lions linebacker has good power already but does need to get a bit stronger if he wants to maintain and withstand the physicality that comes from playing on the Power Five or D1 level. His skill set and size says that Taylor fits best inside and that may be the case but his athleticism and speed says that he can play outside as well, so his versatility is a key point when it comes to his recruitment. Taylor is already a known guy from the West Tennessee region but it would not be surprising to see this guy go national before everything is said and done.
College Projection: P5, D1
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5. (DB) Thomas Jones Thomas Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 State TN (5’11 165) – Smyrna
– This Smyrna defensive back is a fun guy to watch on film but also talk to in person as this junior prospect is athletic and fast on the football field while being a well versed, mature young man off the gridiron as well. Jones is a natural athlete that brings a lot of athletic traits to the football field and secondary that plays up well on the next level. His junior season provided a glimpse of his future as Jones took on a big role for his team as not only a playmaker on offense but a lockdown cover corner on defense as well, who more than handled himself but shut down some good receivers along the way.
The athleticism and speed are the two main traits that stand out about Jones when breaking down his film and those are strong traits that allow you to be recruited into the college game. This is a smooth mover that turns and runs with ease when guarding receivers while also playing with strong technique. Jones can play man to man defense and maintain his leverage throughout the route due to his discipline and speed. Even if this Bulldogs defensive back can’t stay at cover corner, he could develop at multiple roles throughout the secondary, so his value to the defensive backfield is very high.
Besides being a talented defensive back, Jones is also a key piece on special teams as a return man and gunner. He is a dynamic, game changer in the return game that can flip the field at any given time due to his outstanding speed. At this point in the process, Jones is a hidden gem that could be a steal for whoever he eventually signs with and someone who’s best football is ahead of him. This is an athletic speed demon that will immediately make your team better due to his football upside and makeup as a human being.
College Projection: D1, FCS