#TN2024 Under The Radar (Knoxville/East TN Area Prospects)
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Wrapping up our series looking at the top underrated prospects currently available from our senior class, the East TN/Knoxville Area has several talented guys on the open market, including the ten mentioned below. Christian Hoffman TN #WL QB #WL HEIGHT…
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Continue ReadingWrapping up our series looking at the top underrated prospects currently available from our senior class, the East TN/Knoxville Area has several talented guys on the open market, including the ten mentioned below.
A two sport star (baseball) for his Sevier County school, Hoffman sits under the radar headed into summer camp season and could be a quarterback that watches his stock go into a positive direction after working in front of college coaches over the next two months. The Smoky Bears senior passer is a big presence in the pocket that can deliver the ball down field and on time. He shows on film the ability to drive the ball deep and to the outside (college level throws) while having a calm presence in the pocket with pressure in his face. His mobility and overall athleticism in and out of the pocket may be the reason for the lack of offers at the moment. Hoffman won’t be the elusive runner that many others are but he has a good feel for the pocket along with good feet to line up with the pass and make the proper throws. The quarterback competition in this year’s QB class is strong, Hoffman must continue developing his overall game if he wants to be in consideration with the top group but the size and arm talent are there to craft himself into a possible FCS prospect before this year’s recruiting cycle has concluded.
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As we head into the summer camp months, for one reason or another, this East Tennessee running back has yet to see his recruitment take off but I feel it’s only a matter of time before Dozier see’s those elusive offers come through. Well built physically with a strong lower base, this Wildcats running back has the size and skill set to excel on the next level but it’s his burst and explosive play that I think could get D1 schools interested. Dozier hits the hole fast and hard and does not hesitate when he sees open field. He does need to continue adding more speed but once he gets into open space, defenders have a hard time bringing him down due to his physical makeup. Dozier has had to share the backfield over the past two seasons, so many people around the region may not know too much about this Oak Ridge running back but on film, this guy shows the talent and upside that can shine well on the collegiate gridiron. More work must be done with Dozier’s balance and overall speed but I think if he performs well this summer in camps and busts out for a big senior year, you could see this East Tennessee product turn into a much wanted prospect.
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Mills has been a starting back for his Patriots squad for two years now and produced some big numbers but as we begin the summer camp stretch, this East Tennessee product has yet to see those college offers come through. It’s surprising to not see the interest with Mills as I thought there would be at this point in his recruitment but that’s ok as we have plenty of time remaining for this Patriots junior offensive talent to turn some heads and earn those elusive offers. I think you will see some offers arrive soon as Mills is too physical and balanced to be looked over much longer. What I like the most about Mills is his well balanced, physical approach to running and his patience. Mills understands running lanes and how they can open anywhere at any given moment, so his patient running style is fun to watch, especially when he receives good blocking up front. He also shows good speed into the open field that can increase further with continued development. This East Tennessee back provides strong value as a consistent, smart runner with the physical makeup that can withstand the pounding runners take on the college level.
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A true hidden gem from the greater East Tennessee region, Matthews is a raw but talented young man with the build and skill set to develop into a possible starting college O-lineman one day. Interest for this Pioneers senior has started to increase over the past few weeks but his performance over these summer camp months will go a long way towards Matthews picking up college offers and boosting his recruiting stock. Matthews is an interesting talent that sports nice arm length, a good build for growth and the mobile lower base to play a variety of roles inside the trenches, even possibly offensive tackle. The Pioneers senior O-lineman has the athletic profile, quick feet and lateral movements to stay on the outside in college but more strength and power along with continued work on his craft must be done to stay there. What you like about the upside of Matthews is his ability to pass block but also his athleticism to play tackle or slide inside on the next level, providing value and versatility. He will need time before he reaches his maximum capabilities but the potential is certainly to be worked with and molded.
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Last year as a junior, Smith took it upon himself to step forward as a leader and provide consistent play from the interior of the D-line but he has bigger aspirations for his senior year and this Fighting Irish defender has been putting together a strong offseason thus far to do just that. Holding a few offers in hand at the moment, Smith still sits under the radar but has a big opportunity this summer at camps to establish himself as a legit recruit and one of the top D-line prospects not only from the East Tennessee region but the entire state as well. Smith is a versatile guy that is currently built best to play inside but can slide to the edge within a 3-4 defense and provide a pass rush. That’s what I like the most about this East Tennessee talent is his ability to rush the passer as well as handle multiple roles across the defensive front. He does need to keep getting bigger, putting on more weight while also gaining more strength but the frame is there to do just that. This guy is a worker and someone who appears to enjoy the process and the game of football, so college coaches may love to mold Smith into a formidable D-lineman that works well against the run but can also provide a pass rush from the middle.
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At this point in the #TN2024 recruiting process, McCord is one of the more underrated talents in the state and a prospect that has yet to take off with his recruitment but I think it’s only a matter of time before coaches finally get on board with this East Tennessee edge rusher. If you want leadership, production and the ultimate worker, McCord is your guy! This guy is aggressive and fierce with an active motor that opposing offensive linemen have a problem with and I think his best football is ahead of him as McCord continues to mature and develop. I think that McCord is such a productive ball player that I think he could be in contention for Mr. Football by the end of the 2023 football season. Reason for that thinking is because McCord has a natural feel for getting into the backfield as well as the bend to get around offensive tackles and chase down the quarterback. On film, McCord shows explosive flashes and play along with some sudden movements and the closing speed to chase down the ball. Watching him perform at our latest PRZTN Showcase, McCord showed off the ability to play middle linebacker as well. He brings a lot of value to the defensive side of the ball and I feel his game will only enhance further as he gets older and continues to work on his craft. I would not be surprised to see several offers float his way over the coming weeks after McCord performs in person at camps and proves to college coaches how legit he is.
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A two-way talent that broke out big time last year as a junior, Cannon is a physical machine that plays with controlled violence and the type of leadership that college coaches love and can depend on game in and game out. His role should expand further this coming season as the Tornado coaching staff will be looking for him to make all the calls at middle linebacker but also contribute as possibly the teams starting running back as well. Cannon is a team first guy that any college coach would love to work with, so staying under the radar may not be something we attach to this East Tennessee talent much longer as I think those elusive offers will start coming his way soon. His game on the next level fits best on defense at middle backer where he can use his football smarts, his aggressive nature and range to shut down the run game but also rush the backfield. For Cannon to start seeing those offers come through, he must increase his agility and speed and if he does that, watch out as I think his recruitment will take off because all the intangibles attributes are there.
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Truly under the radar as we head into summer camp season, Smith is an athletic, active and physical linebacker that has the size, speed and potential that translates well to the next level but he is still biding his time before those offers start to arrive. Smith had a breakout season last year as his team’s leading tackler and key force on defense that helped lead the Rebels to a state title. When you watch his film, what you see is an active backer that shows great instincts for finding the ball and the speed to chase down the ball from anywhere on the field. The Rebels senior prospect fits best at inside linebacker but Smith has the athleticism and burst to play on the edge if needed as I think he sports underrated pass rush abilities. He also has a good frame to tack on more weight and fill out his body much further, especially once he gets into a college weight system. For one reason or another, college coaches have yet to get on board with this Knoxville area defender but I feel it’s only a matter of time before Smith sees his recruitment take off. Watch for this guy over the coming months as he could be a major camp star but also string together another strong football season that eventually puts him into the college ranks.
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One of the run stuffers in the state at linebacker is this guy and at the current moment of writing this, Cameron has yet to see those college offers come through, which makes this East Tennessee talent an under the radar prospect that could turn into a hidden gem down the line. The first thing you immediately like about Cameron when you turn on his film is his instincts for finding the ball and his aggressive nature. The Spartans senior linebacker does not hesitate when he diagnoses the play and always finishes with controlled violence. Cameron plays against the run as good as anybody in this state but if he can increase his agility and speed, you will see more collegiate coaches become enticed. Cameron is a solid athlete that has tested well in camps, so I can see the potential for this East Tennessee product to become faster as he matures and grows further into his body. You won’t have to worry about this guy working to get better either as Cameron enjoys the grind and is always in pursuit to enhance his game. His summer camp performances and senior season tape will go a long way towards Cameron watching his recruitment go into a positive direction and I think it’s only a matter of time before it does.
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Moving over to Alcoa for his senior season, Blankenship has been a name on the recruiting radar for two years now but as we write this, his stock remains under the radar and one of the more underrated talents currently from the #TN2024 class. Big and physical with range, Blankenship is a deceptive athlete with playmaker tendencies and that’s why he will play both ways for the Tornadoes at receiver and safety. His game fits best however on defense in the secondary where he can use his athleticism, range and size to play ball hawk or come up and lay big hits against the run. Blankenship should be given every opportunity this Fall to shine at his safety position within the Tornadoes defense as that side of the ball will be stacked up front, so this 6 ‘1 playmaker will have the chance to make plays from anywhere on the field. It’s very possible that this East Tennessee senior could land multiple offers this summer with his performances at camps but if that doesn’t happen, I could certainly see this take place this Fall when coaches see his progression as well as updated film. Watching Blankenship play defense with Alcoa will be exciting and interesting to follow as I think it would take his stock to another level.
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QB: Izaiah Hall Izaiah Hall 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson Co. | 2024 State TN – Jefferson Co., Luke Jenkins Luke Jenkins 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Daniel Boone | 2024 TN – Daniel Boone, Drake Fisher Drake Fisher 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Sullivan East | 2024 State TN – Sullivan-East
RB: Frank Johnson IV Frank Johnson IV 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Knox. Central | 2024 TN – Knox. Central,
WR: Almani Rembert Almani Rembert 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN – Oak Ridge
TE: Eli Elkins Eli Elkins 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Maryville | 2024 State TN – Maryville
OL: Britton Carver Britton Carver 6'1" | 295 lbs | OL Knox. West | 2024 State TN – Knox. West, Tristan Smith Tristan Smith 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Science Hill | 2024 State TN – Science Hill, Sam Browder Sam Browder 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Bearden | 2024 NC – Bearden
DL: Xavier Hickman Xavier Hickman 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb, Caleb Turner Caleb Turner 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Knox Halls | 2024 State TN – Knox. Halls
DB: Walker Lockhart Walker Lockhart 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Karns | 2024 TN – Karns