TN/KY Futures Game: Tennessee Practice Notes

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PRZTN was on hand Thursday for opening practice with the Tennessee futures team and here we provide a player breakdown on some of the top talent seen throughout the day. </h2>     It's been a busy camp tour this summer but PrepRedzone Tennessee had to make a pit stop in Clarksville this week to check out the youngsters, the future of the Volunteer State at the TN/KY Futures All-Star game and our home state definitely has some up and coming talent to follow!    Two practices for Team Tennessee was held on the Austin Peay campus on Thursday in prep for the game on Saturday and I was able to gain full access to an up close and personal view at the youthful talent on hand and several players stood out from both sides of the ball.    Here is a rundown on the 8th grade prospects that turned heads at practice …..     ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] - Antioch   - The future is very bright for this Mid-Tennessee signal caller! Adams is a pure passer that already sports excellent arm strength and the ability to push the ball down field. He has a good feel for the game too, understanding when and where to place the ball for his receivers to make plays while also having the mobility to manipulate the pocket. Adams is also about 6'2 as well, so he brings good size to the position as well. This strong armed passer very well could be the top overall in-state prospect for the #TN2027 recruiting class and eventually a national prospect.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1669532212100833280?s=20 </div></figure>   ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] - USJ    - I was very impressed with Creech as someone to watch moving and possibly one of the best at his position for the #TN2027 class. Standing about 6'2 while sporting a nice frame for growth, Creech had several excellent throws throughout the day, displaying good accuracy and the arm strength to make some tough passes look easy. Creech must continue adding strength while developing his game further but the upside is certainly there to become a legit college recruit and one of the best from the West TN region.    ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman'] - Knox. Catholic   - Bowman has already been building strong buzz for himself leading up the TN Futures practice and he continued to live up to the hype as the absolute best playmaker on field among anybody there. This East Tennessee already looks the part and he hasn't stepped onto a high school field yet. Bowman is tall and long with explosive flashes, sporting the speed to burn defenders deep or work the intermediate routes. He needs to continue adding bulk to his frame but this is a must know talent and a Top 5 recruit for the #TN2027 class.    ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='898264' first='Zach' last='Happney'] - Anderson Co.   - The defending Class 4A state champs have a nice looking pass catcher here in Happney to implement into their offense this Fall and watch him grow into possibly one of their best future recruits. Standing 6'2 and sporting a physical frame, Happney shows the look and upside of a future “X” receiver that can work the outside but also develop into an excellent blocker in the run game. Happney was used a lot throughout both practices on Thursday, which tells me coaches could depend on him, so this East TN talent is definitely someone to follow over the coming years!    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/20230615_204052.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-865045" width="309" height="412"/></figure>   ‘27 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='866767' first='Hunter' last='Smith'] - Goodpasture   - One of the best physically well built young men at the TN Futures practice yesterday was this Mid-Tennessee tight end. Smith is a thick dude, standing 6'2 and showing the physical look of someone that can develop into a top tier recruit down the road. This guy has so much growth to do over the coming year, so I could see Smith developing at multiple positions, including defensive or even offensive line. One thing I loved about this guy is his willingness to do everything team based and pushing his ego to the side, simply looking to get better.    ‘27 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='454466' first='Jack' last='Evitts'] - Sequatchie Co.   - Evitts is not able to perform this weekend in the TN/KY Futures game due to an injury but he is in attendance to support everybody, however the reason he is on this list is because this Chattanooga area product has the look, the size and physical abilities to develop into a top level college recruit down the road. Evitts is a well spoken young man who loves the game of football. He is dedicated to become the best player he can be and that could come at either tight end or edge linebacker but the physical traits and talent is most certainly there!    ‘27 (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='866728' first='Matthew' last='Newberry'] - Dickson Co.   - The Cougars haven't put out a lot of college talent of late but Newberry could be someone that changes that narrative. This Mid-Tennessee talent was one of the best performing D-linemen at practice and someone that has the size to grow into a versatile guy in the trenches that can rush the backfield from a variety of roles. Newberry is a big boy that the O-linemen had a hard time blocking and with added strength and continued development, the Cougars incoming freshman could turn one of the best at his position for the #TN2027 class.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/20230615_202758.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-865060" width="340" height="453"/></figure>   ‘27 (Edge) Wade Jones - Briarcrest Chrst.   - Jones was highly active on the defensive side of the ball on Thursday, consistently making plays in the backfield with one of the best motors of anyone at practice. Tall and long with a nice frame for added growth, Jones showed nice upside as a 3-4 edge rusher. He has active, quick feet along with a nice first step. He is still young with the need to add more size but you can see the potential with Jones as an eventual starter for the Briarcrest Christian Saints defense.    ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='378885' first='Terry' last='Beaufort'] - Bearden   - While this 8th grader is young and undersized, Beaufort showed some of the biggest dawg like mentalites on the field throughout practice and someone that loves the game so much that you have to turn down his competitive nature. Beaufort is an offensive weapon that has the look of a running back but sports the athleticism, speed and pass catching abilities to work the slot in high school as well. Regardless of where you place him, Beaufort is a playmaker that should continue making plays on the high school level.   ‘27 (S) Corey Jenkins, Jr - Whitehaven   - This guy was one of my top five liked prospects at the TN Futures practice. Jenkins was highly invested into practice, constantly asking questions and learning then displaying excellent physicality, range and speed during live action. Jenkins is a headhunter that will lay you out but he also showed outstanding potential as a future captain and leader for his Whitehaven defense. Keep an eye out for this West Tennessee safety moving forward!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/20230615_113505.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-865052" width="385" height="514"/></figure>