PRZTN Spring Showcase: Top Performers (Defense)
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A deep crop of defenders embarked on Murfreesboro last weekend for our Spring Showcase & many prospects stood out as top players! Here are the guys who we thought had the best showings & took their stocks to another level.…
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Continue ReadingA deep crop of defenders embarked on Murfreesboro last weekend for our Spring Showcase & many prospects stood out as top players! Here are the guys who we thought had the best showings & took their stocks to another level.
Earning MVP honors as the top defensive lineman, Hare was also the best defensive performer from the entire camp as he was almost unblockable and proving that he is more than worthy to be looked at by Division 1 football programs. Football smart with a variety of pass rush maneuvers, Hare dominated during 1 on 1’s where he used his hands, quick feet and high FBI to get in and around his blocker on a consistent basis. He tested quite well, placing among the top in almost every category for his position. Hare has the body style and skill set to play multiple roles across the defensive front due to his athleticism, strength and natural feel for getting to the backfield. If the Showcase handed out an overall MVP award for this camp, Hare might be that guy and I think his stock will only continue to rise over the coming weeks.
Highlights
If it wasn’t for a sensational performance by a senior standout, Coffman would have been the DL MVP after a great camp performance and placing himself among the best of the best from his position by the end of camp. Coffman is a big dude at 6 ‘5 250 plus pounds with long arms and a frame that can take on more size, so he immediately looks the part but can also back it up on the field. The Patriots junior D-lineman moves very well for his size and he knows how to use his hands to maneuver past the blocker then burst towards the ball. He brings strong versatility to the D-line as someone that could work the edge or play in the middle, so his value is quite strong. Coffman also has strong football knowledge as a rising junior that will only get better the more he plays and understands the game. There is a lot to like about this Mid-Tennessee product, so expect to hear more and more about this young man moving forward.
Highlights
Coming from the state of Alabama, Smith was an unknown to me but leaving the Boro, this 2025 edge linebacker is someone I will be paying attention moving forward because this guy can play, sporting upside to make it into the college ranks. What stood out the most about Smith was his motor and aggression. Anytime Smith was asked to perform, he did so with all his energy, giving everything he had, forcing people to pay attention to him. His game does translate well to the college game as Smith shows nice bend, burst and upper body strength to speed around the edge and chase down the quarterback. He also has a flexible lower base and active feet, so there are a lot of traits about Smith that can be developed in college as a forceful edge pass rusher. This Alabama based talent will certainly be someone I follow over the next year, watching his progression and seeing how he develops.
Highlights
Clean, consistent and forceful are three traits that stand out about McCord and his performance last Sunday at the #PRZTN Spring Showcase where he landed MVP honors for the linebackers and more importantly, the Tornadoes edge defender took his stock to another level. McCord was more than impressive last weekend as he is taller than I thought and way more athletic compared to what his film shows. This East Tennessee linebacker displayed excellent footwork during positional work then looked smooth when covering backs and tight ends during 1 on 1 competition. What this Tornadoes senior defender showed me was someone that could not only work the edge but McCord could excel at middle backer as well. He is highly valuable to someone’s defense based on his physicality, football smarts and versatility, so I would not be surprised to see this East Tennessee talent land those elusive offers very soon.
Highlights
If you didn’t know about this Mid-Tennessee linebacker going into the #PRZTN Showcase, you need to look deeper into Tucker because this guy surprised everybody in attendance, performing at a high level while putting up strong numbers during testing. Standing about 6 ‘0 and a little over 200 pounds, Tucker is a true middle backer that had some of the best testing numbers of all defensive prospects at camp as this Wildcats senior product ran 4.59 forty while also putting up a 6.8 during his L-Drill. After testing was over, Tucker went into 1 on 1 competition where he handled himself just fine, showing nice closing speed and instincts. He does need to keep learning and adding more agility but the athletic traits are there to reach the college ranks. Tucker is way more athletic and explosive than I thought and someone that must be paid more attention to moving forward.
Highlights
Jahmani Washington
Jahmani Washington
Tall and long with a wide radius and linebacker versatility, Washington was one of the more impressive backer prospects at camp and someone that shows the potential to turn into a wanted recruit coming out of “The Sip.” Standing 6 ‘2 200 pounds, Washington has the look, size and build that translates well to the next level and last Sunday in Murfreesboro, he used those physical traits to his advantage, especially during 1 on 1 competition where he engulfed the opposition. This Mississippi product also had some solid numbers during testing, which can certainly be improved upon but his testing along with the positional work, shows upside to develop into either a middle or edge linebacker on the collegiate gridiron. Washington must stay on the grind, continuing to develop himself but the upside is there to see college coaches get involved sooner than later.
Coming into the camp as one of the top known names, Jones lived up to the hype as he walked away as the DB MVP and one of the top overall performers not just from the defensive side of the ball but from everybody in attendance. This guy is so smooth when he moves on the field. Jones looked effortless when moving through his testing and positional work then went into 1 on 1 competition where he showed off his athleticism, speed and secondary versatility. The Bulldogs senior defensive back has the upside to stay out at cover corner but could definitely excel at nickel back or free safety as well. Where I think Jones took another step in his progression last weekend was his attention to detail during positional work where he looked clean and precise while taking to coaching very well. This is a naturally athletic guy that will continue to watch his stock rise as more coaches work with him this summer and watch his growth this Fall.
Highlights
This Memphis area product was someone I was very interested in watching and LaRusso didn’t disappoint. Standing 6 ‘2 with a nice frame for added size, the Saints senior safety displayed a variety of athletic skills throughout the camp that showed me upside for the college game. LaRusso is tall and long with a nice frame for added weight but is also a good athlete that showed range and quick instincts last Sunday. He plays with an active motor and took to coaching very well. LaRusso has the size and athletic skill set to be developed nicely on the next level with more time and maturity. He needs to increase his speed and explosion but the potential is there for a breakout senior year and a future on the collegiate gridiron.
Highlights
Sporting nice size and a physical frame, Holt looks the part as future college player and he is only a sophomore but he performed beyond measure against older competition, proving to be one of the best safeties in attendance. This Nashville area prospect came to camp listed as a WR but quickly moved over to defensive back and it was the right decision as Holt showed off excellent range and closing speed during 1 on 1 competition along with football smarts to make adjustments when the opposition would gain a step on him. That’s the biggest thing that I took away from Holt was his ability to recognize tendencies out of the opposition and make the proper adjustments to succeed. More development and work must be done for Holt to become the best player he can be but the talent and potential is definitely there for him to become a highly recruited prospect in due time.
Highlights
Three Others to Know ……
(DE/LB) Tucker Kyne Tucker Kyne 6'5" | 225 lbs | ATH Cannon Co. | 2024 State TN – Cannon Co.: Had Kyne worked at edge linebacker most of the camp, he would be inside the top performers. Late in camp, the Lions senior talent moved over to defense where he took in 1 on 1 reps and looked great. This dude has a natural feel for rushing the passer and if he camps this way the rest of summer, watch out!
‘25 (LB) Lucas Szymborski Lucas Szymborski 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Crown Point | 2025 IN – Cleveland: Labeled as an “athlete” at the moment, Szymborski worked the PRZTN Showcase at edge linebacker where he an excellent showing where he put up top level testing numbers than looked smooth during coverage work. If this East TN product continues to work hard on defense, Szymborski could see his stock rise tremendously.
‘25 (S) Tanner Caudle Tanner Caudle 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Mars Hill Bible School | 2025 AL – Mars Hill (AL): Caudle was a player I was very interested in seeing and he didn’t disappoint as he had one of the fastest forty times (4.53) while displaying smooth, easy moving body movements during 1 on 1 competition. He is also 6’2 175 pounds, so the size and frame is there to turn into a college prospect.
Other Top Performers: ‘26 (DE) Harrison Smith Harrison Smith 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Sequatchie County | 2026 TN – Sequatchie Co., (LB) Jack Clinard Jack Clinard 6'1" | 225 lbs | DL Lebanon | 2024 TN – Lebanon, (LB) Grant Roberson Grant Roberson 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Arlington | 2024 TN – Arlington, ‘25 (LB/S) Semaj Avery – Grenada (MS), (DB) Jakavan Curry Jakavan Curry 5'10" Marshall County | 2024 TN – Marshall Co., (S) Kaden Mays – Mars Hill (AL), (DB) Syrus Satterwhite Syrus Satterwhite 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 TN – Smyrna, ‘25 (S) Eli Baumann Eli Baumann 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Independence | 2025 TN – Independence