Five Noteworthy 2028 Tennessee Prospects Who Shined in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use <strong>PROMO CODE: ALPOPS40 </strong>for a <strong>40% DISCOUNT </strong>on your Prep Redzone Next subscription. The regular season is coming to an end around the country, with most states nearing championship weekend by mid-Novemeber. The Volunteer State is no different. Here's a look at five class of 2028 prospects (8th graders) that had big 2023 seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1065975"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Christiana Middle School's lone All-Conference selection, [player_tooltip player_id='1065975' first='Maxwell' last='Dennis'] proved to be a valuable member of the team on both sides of the ball. On the field, the speed and quickness Dennis has right now is the attribute that sticks out to me the most. Offensively he lined up in the slot, and was often moved around with pre-snap motion, which allowed him to exploit situations with his speed. Also did a nice job on quick shovel passes and end-around-type of plays. On the defensive side of the ball, where I think he will end up long term, he's a really impressive defensive back. Shined in off-man coverage, specifically. In limited film, I didn't see him do too much jamming at the line, typically giving a cushion. Also goes without saying, good hands help me do good things when he was the rock.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1066002"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The LaVergne Hawks Middle School team made the playoffs for the third consecutive season and proved that the future is bright, personified by a late-September double overtime loss to eventual conference champsu002du002dOakland. On film there are a number of prospects that look like they have something to them, but running back/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] was one that I kept noticing play after play. He's not the biggest kid in the world, I'm guessing around 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds, but he plays like his hair is on fire at all times. Bangura was a physical presence in the middle on defense and looked like a missile getting to the ball carrier. At times almost played a little out of control, he was moving so fast. Offensively, a low center of gravity mixed with power and his ability to shred tackles, allowed him to put up big numbers on the ground too.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1066058"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Admittedly, Chestnutt is a 2028 prospect out of Rock Springs Middle School that I had not heard of until recently. He's pretty undersized right now in terms of both high and weight, but that hasn't stopped him from becoming the BMOC (big man on campus). This year's Homecoming King and QB1, he has an arm you wouldn't expect if simply going of the eye-test. The righty tossed 15 tuddy's and accumulated 582 through the air for the Knights but also did a great job avoiding pressure with quick foot work. There's athletic potential here without question; With further maturation and physical development, his progression could be something of note moving forward as he heads to LaVergne High School next year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1066169"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The success of the entire Oakland football program over the last decade, has been nothing short of special. Since 2018 specifically, the high school varsity team's record is 70-3 and is currently 8-1 this year. During that same time period, the middle school program has also found tremendous success, adding a fourth conference title to the trophy case this season. In each of the four most recent championships, the Oakland Middle School Chargers were undefeatedu002du002dvery impressive. This years eighth-grade class has a lot of special players and just one of the guys that stood out was big [player_tooltip player_id='1066169' first='Marland' last='Mixon']. Staring at both right guard and defensive tackle, he was a man amongst boys up front. I'm guessing he's around 6-foot and probably not far from 250 pounds, but has really good feet for a big man. Was able to pull and down block with relative ease and consistently finished his blocks, serving up pancakes. He's an impressive kid.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1038808"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"To say that [player_tooltip player_id='1038808' first='Reece' last='Reynolds'] has quickly emerged as one of my favorite players in Tennessee for the class of 2028, would be a vast understatement. A two-sport (basketball) star for Knox Doss Middle School, he's leaving middle school football as a two-time All-County selection and the 2023 Sumer County Middle School Football Player of the Year. He's a dual-threat quarterback that does some things on the field, that will simply make your jaw drop. Not trying to be funny, but taking his physical appearance into consideration while watching him on the field, Reynolds reminds me of a mix of u0022Sunshineu0022 from u003cemu003eRemember The Titans u003c/emu003eand current-Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. He's an extremely promising 2028 prospect who has made defenses look silly with his vision and speed while running the ball, with one of the most beautiful releases on deep ball that you'll ever see. I often see prospects commenting, u0022he's himu0022 on social media.  Nah, man. No offense...but [player_tooltip player_id='1038808' first='Reece' last='Reynolds'] is HIM. If he stays healthy and does the right things, he'll be playing on Saturdays in the not-so distant future.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653bdf9373cea"} /-->