Film Room: #PRZTN Junior Evaluations
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The off-season means plenty of time in the lab looking over film, so below we have evaluated and broken down the highlights from five juniors who we believe are future college players. 1. (QB) Carter Smith Carter Smith 6'3" |…
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Continue ReadingThe off-season means plenty of time in the lab looking over film, so below we have evaluated and broken down the highlights from five juniors who we believe are future college players.
1. (QB) Carter Smith Carter Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Hardin Co. | 2024 State TN (6’3 200) – Hardin Co.
– For two years now, Smith has been the leader under center for his Tigers squad and each season, this 6’3 junior quarterback has put up big numbers, placing himself among the top passing leaders in the state. Sporting nice size and smooth mechanics, Smith is one of better looking quarterback prospects in the state for the #TN2024 class and his recruitment has already taken off by adding a big offer from Pittsburgh. The Panthers, like many other college coaches, see a talented passer in Smith that plays with poise in the pocket and shows on the film the ability to make all the throws, so you can understand why this West Tennessee signal caller holds an ACC offer and interest from many others.
The biggest thing that stands out about Smith when evaluating his film is his arm strength and the zip that comes out of his right hand. This dude can spin it and place the ball anywhere on the field, if given time to do so. Smith is also a good athlete that maneuvers around pressure very well, showing he can throw from the pocket or on the run. He does need to keep adding a few more pounds to his frame but not too many as Smith already has the size to compete on the collegiate gridiron.
Even though Pitt has already extended an offer, Smith is one of the more underrated quarterbacks not only in this state but the country. He brings every trait to the field you want from size, arm strength, football smarts and toughness. Smith has been a starter at Hardin Co. since his sophomore year and been through some battles, so this West Tennessee product will be more than ready to compete for playing time once he arrives on a college campus. I fully expect Smith to obtain many more offers before his recruitment is over and even reach national status before it’s all said and done.
College Projection: P5, D1, FCS
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2. (RB) Elijah Robb Elijah Robb 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Pope Prep | 2024 State TN (5’9 200) – Pope Prep
– This Mid-Tennessee running back has seen the field a lot so far through his two years of high school ball and produced at a high level each season, placing himself now headed into his senior year as one of the top backs in the state. Strong and well balanced with excellent vision, Robb is a bowling ball at running back that is tough to control for the opposition as he runs low to the ground and uses his lower base power to break through tackles. Once he gets into the open field, Robb has enough speed to break away from defenders and find the end zone but his biggest trait as a running back is his ability to gain those tough yards when it’s needed.
Robb is a hard guy to tackle as he sports a thick, powerful upper body along with a rock solid lower base that allows him to break through tackles and keep moving forward. His lower center of gravity and overall size is also difficult for defenders to deal with as this Knights running back finds creases in the line and hits the open field on a consistent basis. Robb doesn’t just run the ball well but he can catch too. He shows soft hands on film and the ability to be a safety blanket for his quarterback out of the backfield.
This guy has been one of the more productive running backs in the state over the past two years and I wouldn’t expect that to change for his senior season. Robb is a consistent ball player that shows up week in and week out and while he may not be flashy, he makes up for it with football smarts and toughness. Just recently, Robb added his 1st college offer from Tennessee St., so his recruitment has finally taken off and I would expect many others to follow suit in the coming months, keeping this Mid-Tennessee back at the top of the PRZTN rankings going forward.
College Projection: D1, FCS
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3. (OT/G) Ace Meadows Ace Meadows 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Peabody | 2024 State TN (6’7 300) – Peabody
– The Meadows lineage remains strong at Peabody with this massive junior offensive lineman, who took a major step forward in his game and college progression last year and it shows on film. Standing 6’7 and three bills, Meadows is well put together as he holds that 300 pounds very well and he uses that weight to demolish the opposition. Meadows is a physical dude that enjoys hitting people and you don’t have to worry about asking him to compete through the whistle because he enjoys putting guys on the ground.
If you needed Meadows to come in and shore up the run game with his physicality, he can do that but to take his game to the highest level possible, this Golden Tide O-lineman needed to show improvement in his pass protection and his highlights shows exactly that. Meadows has worked on his feet and ability to get on the edge quicker while maintaining his leverage, which should help him get looks from bigger college football programs. He does need to continue developing in this area but the upside is there, especially at right tackle where his talents could shine the most.
Having a big, physical guy like Meadows on your offensive line brings value as he could play either tackle spot or slide inside and do just fine at guard, where his run blocking abilities would excel. The Golden Tide’s junior big man has several areas about his game that he must develop further, especially his bend and lower base agility but you can’t teach size and the will to punish people and Meadows has those traits.
College Projection: P5, D1, FCS
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4. (DL) Keilyn Smith Keilyn Smith 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Knox. Catholic | 2024 State TN (6’2 255) – Knox. Catholic
– Coming off a disappointing season for the Fighting Irish, Smith was a bright spot where he was a disruptor on the defensive line and someone who showed upside for the collegiate level. Breaking down his junior highlights, Smith immediately flashed to me his ability to rush the backfield and do so from a variety of roles across the defensive line. Smith is a bit undersized to remain inside full time at the moment but he can play there in spots due to his active hands, powerful lower body and quick feet. This guy has a high motor that you love to see on film and work with if you’re a football coach but more work must be done for this East Tennessee D-lineman to reach his maximum potential.
While Smith shows good burst and natural pass rushing abilities, he must get bigger if he wants to appeal further to collegiate coaches. He is built like an undersized defensive tackle with edge abilities and can sometimes get caught up in the wash but when freed up, Smith is tough to control. He makes up for his size with his fast first step and getting upfield before the blocker can catch up.
Moving forward into the offseason, Smith is an intriguing talent to follow due to his athletic abilities and position versatility across the D-line but also because of his upside to chase after the quarterback. SE Missouri St. has already gotten on board with an offer and they won’t be the last as this guy can play and will only get better the more he matures.
College Projection: D1, FCS
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5. (Ath) Travion Baker Travion Baker 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Melrose | 2024 State TN (6’1 180) – Raleigh-Egypt
– During these offseason months when you are evaluating and breaking down film on a daily basis, you run across some guys that are unknowns who catch your eye and Baker is one of those guys for me. The first thing you notice when you turn on this guy’s film is his burst and speed. Baker is a natural athlete that can pick em up and go and once he gets into the open field, this West Tennessee product is tough to catch up with but he is much more than speed, this guy is a ball player.
While Baker has the speed you want in college ball, he also has nice size as well along with long arms and a frame that can take on more weight. He is a playmaker that simply needs to be on the field and no matter where he is, he will create plays or be around the ball to where you will know his name. Baker is a speedy guy with size and it sounds like in this evaluation that he is a receiver or an offensive star but I feel his biggest potential sits on the other side of the ball at defensive back.
Sporting the size that he has, Baker provides a lot of potential and upside at defensive back as someone that could develop at cover corner or at worse, slide back into safety and play centerfield. Baker is a athletic, fluid young man that shows the ability to run and cover on defense but continued work must be done if he wants to become the best player he can be. It will be interesting to follow this guy over the coming months to see how he progresses and where his recruitment goes as Baker could be a major sleeper in the #TN2024 class.
College Projection: D1, FCS