#TN2024 Rankings: Offensive Stock Risers
In this article:
Our new senior rankings were released recently and we saw plenty of players rise up the charts in a big way, including these offensive prospects below who are all headed to the college ranks. Tennessee Senior Rankings Markeis Barrett TN…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOur new senior rankings were released recently and we saw plenty of players rise up the charts in a big way, including these offensive prospects below who are all headed to the college ranks.
Going into his senior season, Barrett was already viewed as a top receiver in this state but he took his stock to another level this Fall by putting up some huge numbers on both sides of the ball while helping lead his Spartans team to 10 wins on the year. Barrett can be an electric ball player that changes the momentum within a game at the drop of a dime due to his straight line speed and quickness in short spaces. The Spartans senior wideout has excellent feet along with a shifty lower base that gives problems to opposing defenders. Barrett’s skill set fits well in the intermediate game where he can take short passes and turn them into big gains He will need to continue adding more weight to sustain durability on the college level but the big play abilities are there to develop into a dangerous pass catcher at Vanderbilt.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
Coming back to Tennessee for his senior season, Winton, Jr certainly made the most of it by becoming his team’s leading receiver, earning a place among the 3A finalists for Mr. Football while also boosting his stock to the 3rd overall ranked receiver in the #TN2024 class. The Tornadoes senior pass catcher had a stellar senior year where he showed increased ball skills along with added speed that made him a problem for defensive backs to deal with. Winton, Jr made his money this year as a deep threat that consistently made tough catches down field while also using his speed to turn short gains into long touchdowns. His game really took a major step up this year to where I thought bigger schools might come calling but Winton, Jr appears set with South Florida and his future in Tampa. It’s a strong get for the Bulls as this East TN talent has the upside to develop into a starting, All-Conference player during his college career.
– – – – – – – – –
One of the best pure pass catchers from our #TN2024 class, Montgomery wanted to show he could produce on one of the highest levels possible of TN high school football for his senior year and that’s what he did, putting up over 1,200 yards receiving at Riverdale. The future UConn Huskies receiver stepped into the lead role with the Warriors this year and dominated. Montgomery was near unstoppable, especially in the red zone where he used his body well to shield off defenders and consistently bring down the ball. His dedication to his craft and love for the game pushed this Mid-TN talent into the top level of receivers in this state and by proving it on the 6A ranks, Montgomery showed his upside to be a D1 prospect. He is set with his future at UConn but Montgomery could be this year’s “London Humphries” where he is undervalued out of high school but excels in college to become a star.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – –
Finally stepping into the lead role at running back during his high school career, Merriweather made his senior season his best yet by being that power back that could break into the open field for his Bulldogs offense. Sharing the backfield with a rising sophomore, Merriweather was able to maintain his stamina due to somebody else taking carries off his shoulders which allowed this East TN back to be fresher and more dangerous for opposing defenses to deal with. Merriweather is a good athlete too that has another gear about himself while also sporting nice hands to become an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. As of now, Merriweather is still committed to Purdue and if he remains solid with Boilermakers, look for the Bulldogs back to possibly make an impact his freshman season due to his size and deceptive athleticism.
– – – – – – – – – –
Harmon is one of the biggest rankings risers in the #TN2024 class and that’s due to continued work throughout his high school career, especially a big breakout senior year that has D1 schools looking his way. A dynamic ball player with a versatile skill set, Harmon is a big play waiting to happen with the speed to take it the distance and the toughness to compete against top level competition. His game fits best in the slot where he can use his speed and quickness against bigger players and safeties. Harmon is also the best return man in the state, so that skill alone warrants bigger looks because the Fighting Irish playmaker has been producing in that area for multiple years now. He may be a tad undersized but Harmon is well built and he plays much bigger than his height and I believe would be a steal for whoever signs this East Tennessee product.
– – – – – – – – – –
A mismatch problem for smaller defenders, Barham is a big and athletic pass catcher that stepped up his senior season and took his game to another level as he is now committed to Troy and headed for D1 ball next year. The Eagles senior big man has formed into his body nicely over the last year to fully embrace the tight end position but Barham is still athletic enough to flex him out wide and work him down field. Many occasions in the Chester Co. offense, Barham was used in the slot or sometimes out wide to use his size as an advantage over the opposition. He does need to keep working on his blocking as that will be expected of him at Troy but Barham has the physical size and strength to develop well in that area. The Trojans are getting a prospect that I feel was way under the radar during this process but has the upside to turn into a possible All-Conference talent during his time at Troy.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
Still learning the game and developing into his body, tons of potential resides inside this Memphis O-lineman who may be the most athletic at his position from the #TN2024 class. Jackson went into his senior year as a prospect that showed the potential to reach the college level and by the looks of things, he is headed there as the current 8th ranked O-lineman by PRZTN. What you like most about this guy is his athleticism, burst off the snap and his ability to get to the second level with ease. Jackson is a highly mobile guy which gives him and his future coaching staff the ability to play the Tigers O-lineman at multiple positions. His upside may sit best inside at guard or center but Jackson could probably give ya a snap or two at tackle. This guy’s best football is certainly ahead of him and his performance this Fall definitely warranted a rise in our senior rankings.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
Cobbs took a boost up our rankings after strong work this summer during college camps then he showed the proper development this Fall at Munford for us to push him up to the 10th ranked receiver in the state. The Cougars senior wideout is an excellent route runner for his size and he uses that size well to get under and around people to quickly get into open space. He shows on film the ability to create space between him and his defenders, which is a sought after trait on the collegiate level. That’s a big reason why Washington St. pursued the Memphis area product and received his commitment earlier this year. He will need to continue gaining mass to sustain his football career but the work ethic is there for Cobbs to get there and turn himself into a possible starting slot receiver during his time at Wazzu.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
A big, powerful back with deceptive lower body agility, Clark established himself as one of the top backs in the state this season as he led his Panthers team to 11 wins on the year while also making a commitment to play his college ball at Wake Forest. Standing almost 6’1 and 200 plus pounds, Clark is a big boy carrying the ball that defenders have a hard time bringing down due to his balance and power. Once he gets into the open field, Clark’s speed shows up and he has an extra gear that allows him to breakaway from the defense. Not just a strong runner, the Panthers senior back is also an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield along with sporting the physical size and upside to develop as a pass blocker as well. The speed and overall skill set must continue to be developed at Wake but Clark is a strong get for the Demon Deacons as a back that could mature into a starter down the road in the ACC.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – –
Zielinski is a guy that I feel is still under the radar when it comes to recruiting, even with his commitment to Air Force, the Wildcats big man has the potential to play somewhere much bigger. After watching the senior O-lineman perform in person recently, I came to the conclusion that Zielinski is one of the meanest, nastiest blockers we have from our senior class. This dude enjoys physicality and hitting people. He is also a good athlete too that could stay on the outside at tackle within the college game. His build and lower base movements allow him however to play multiple positions across the front, so his O-line versatility on the next level is strong. Don’t be surprised to hear about Zielinski being a starter at Air Force early in his career because I think this Clarksville native has a bright future ahead of him.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
A newcomer to the state of Tennessee this year, Hayes took full advantage of his time in the Volunteer State as he not only led his Bruins team to the semifinals but also boosted his stock to become the 8th ranked quarterback by #PRZTN. This 6’0 gunslinger has a big arm sitting on his slight frame that can put the ball just about anywhere he wants to. Hayes is a confident passer that spins the ball well and understands anticipation and timing. While he does need to continue adding more power and strength to that right arm, Hayes does push the ball down field well, showing the ability to throw the deep ball on the college level. He will need to add more weight to his frame if Hayes wants to sustain a long college career but the football knowledge is definitely there as is the arm talent, so I think the Bruins senior passer will only continue to get better as he matures and receives college coaching.
Highlights
– – – – – – – – – –
McMahan burst onto the scene in a big way this year and by the way he played throughout the Fall season, his stock here at PRZTN had to rise because I see a physical, well balanced back with deceptive speed that can work well on the G5 level. The Blue Tornado senior took over the lead role in the McCallie backfield this season and almost dominated his position and each defense he went up against. McMahan showed up big in some of the biggest games this year by displaying his great initial burst and his ability to run through defenders then quickly get into open space. He has excellent feet and vision too. McMahan has a great feel for finding open creases to continue down field. His recruitment has yet to really take off but I could definitely see him being a late riser that D1 programs take a look at before the February signing day.
Highlights
Five Other Stock Risers: (QB) Braden Streeter Braden Streeter 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA, (WR) Jade Kneeland Jade Kneeland 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Bartlett | 2024 State TN – Bartlett, (G/C) Owen Borba Owen Borba 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Wilson Central | 2024 State TN – Wilson Cent., (OL) Beau Smith Beau Smith 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Lipscomb Academy | 2024 State TN – Lipscomb Acad., (WR) Enrique Jaimes Enrique Jaimes 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR McCallie | 2024 State TN – McCallie