#PRZTN Stock Up Performers: Week 5
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With another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to visit the state of Tennessee to highlight some of the top standouts from this past week of action. Today, we will be continuing my “Stock Up…
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Continue ReadingWith another week of high school football action in the books, it’s time to visit the state of Tennessee to highlight some of the top standouts from this past week of action. Today, we will be continuing my “Stock Up Performers” series as we breakdown another talented group of prospects that made their presence known on the field last Friday. Without any further ado, here’s my list of the most impactful performers from week five of the season.
Highlights
At the top of my list of notable standouts is Lucas Szymborski Lucas Szymborski 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Crown Point | 2025 IN , a 6-foot-2, 205-pound athlete at Cleveland High School. Szymborski and the Blue Raiders recently defeated Rhea County High School by a final score of 48-14 last week. What makes Szymborski so impactful is his catching ability as well as his durable edge, allowing him to escape contact and blast into the endzone on short passes. Szymborski was also a strong weapon along the edge, could stay on his feet under pressure and could escape contact with his physicality. I was also fond of Szymborski’s defensive effort, barreling over the offense to make crucial stops.
Highlights
I am additionally impressed with Choosen Lokombe Choosen Lokombe 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB McCallie | 2024 State TN , a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back at McCallie High School. Lokombe and the Blue Tornado remain undefeated after a 29-15 win over Brentwood Academy last Friday. In addition to outstanding athleticism and versatility, what impressed me most about Lokombe was his composure and calculated positioning in the backfield, hauling in an interception on a contested pass. Lokombe would collect another pick later on and pick up a short gain. Another aspect of Lokombe’s playstyle that stands out is his ability to blast receivers to the ground and prevent offensive production.
Claiming the number three spot on my list is Jaron Bell Jaron Bell 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Howard | 2024 State TN , a 6-foot-3, 230-pound athlete at Howard High School. Despite falling 31-6 to Sequoyah High School last Friday, Bell made his presence known. What makes Bell such a gamechanger is his awareness and physicality, utilizing his size and speed to attack players in the pocket and stop the run. Bell also stands out due to his ability to muscle past the offensive, apply heavy defensive pressure and take down the quarterback. Bell’s ability to exert his strength off the snap and overwhelm the offensive line are also aspects of his playstyle that made a difference in week five.
Highlights
Another skilled prospect worth keeping an eye on is Tyler Mann, a 6-foot-0, 215-pound linebacker at Sevier County High School. Mann and the Smoky Bears handled business against Tennessee High School with a final score of 28-7 last week. Mann contributes excellent defensive firepower, utilizing his size, speed and strength to overwhelm the offense and make crucial stops. I’m also fond Mann’s calculated positioning, using bursts of speed to apply pressure and get to the quarterback. With great toughness and unstoppable quickness, Mann was difficult for the offense to contain as he was consistently disrupting offensive production by slipping past the offensive line.
Coming in at number five on my list is Montae Baldwin Montae Baldwin 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Columbia Academy | 2025 State TN , a 5-foot-8, 185-pound running back at Columbia Academy. Baldwin and the Bulldogs handed Donelson Christian Academy a 42-30 loss last Friday. Baldwin was electric on the ground, hauling in 310 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Baldwin’s footwork and ability to absorb contact gave him the advantage in the pocket and allowed for him to consistently breakaway into the backfield and take it to the house. Another aspect of Baldwin’s playstyle that stood out was how he used his quickness and durability to handle pressure and escape the defense along the edge.
Another key playmaker to watch for is Austin Kelley Austin Kelley 6'3" | 170 lbs | QB Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN , a 6-foot-2, 160-pound quarterback at Jackson Christian High School. Kelley and the Eagles are flawless on the season thanks to a 63-24 win over Fayette Academy last week. Kelley was explosive under center, showcasing efficient composure, footwork and arm strength. Kelley put his team on the scoreboard with a number of significant touchdown passes, including an impressive 74-yard rocket that resulted in a score. What stands out most about Kelley’s playstyle is his quick release and pin-point accurate passing.