Rocky Top Classic: 7v7 Top Performers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Programs from across the country embarked on Gatlinburg last weekend for the Rocky Top Classic where several prospect took their games to another level and stood out as standout prospects. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* FYI ….These prospects are the ones I was able to see enough of on Saturday to be considered for Top Performers. I'm sure other players deserved to be on this list but I wasn't able to see everything, however I think the guys below are worthy of being added to this article *</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='219372' first='Carson' last='Lawrence'] - McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Lawrence was one guy that I didn't get to see a whole lot of on Saturday but the times I did, he dominated his position, proving to be one of the better defensive back prospects in attendance. The Blue Tornado safety displayed outstanding range, picking off several passes while also being in the middle of other pass breakups. What impressed me the most about Lawrence was his increased size and football instincts. He tended to be around the ball most of the day, showing off why he is committed to Vanderbilt with tons of Power Two programs in pursuit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='466271' first='Wes' last='Harper'] - Davidson Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Mid-Tennessee product was a man among boys last weekend in Gatlinburg where he dominated his position, showing those in attendance that Harper was the best tight end prospect at the Rocky Top Classic. The Bears senior pass catcher was money in the red zone, hauling in several TD receptions while also producing several key 1st down catches. Harper was a difficult cover for defenders as he understands how to run routes while using his physicality to get through defenders. This guy's stock is rising tremendously this off-season, quietly developing himself into one of the better TE prospects from our #TN2025 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1761941053295268331?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1761941053295268331?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris'] - Haywood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the top recruits from our #TN2026 class, Harris backed up his status last weekend at the Rocky Top Classic where he proved to be difficult to handle on both sides of the ball. Sporting good height with long arms and quick feet, Harris was hard to keep in front on offense due to his athleticism and was a key piece in his team's run throughout the day. I may still like Harris best on defense at cornerback but his work on offense in Gatlinburg showed me that maybe he could head to college as an offensive playmaker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='492553' first='Hudson' last='Tucker'] - Briarcrest Chrst.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This guy was one of the best quarterbacks on the Mountain last weekend and someone that impressed me tons as someone to watch for over the coming months as I think Tucker could position himself as one of the best at his position for the #TN2026 class. The Saints rising junior displayed strong pocket presence on Saturday along with arm strength and pinpoint accuracy. Trust me, this guy can spin it as I got a firsthand, up close and personal look at this guy where he more than impressed, he put himself on the map for me as a potential Power Two recruit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='361235' first='Britton' last='Barrett'] - Maryville&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Rebels have a good player here in Barrett that should step into a bigger role this season and if his work in Gatlinburg was any indication, the Rebels senior wideout could be in-store for a breakout senior year. Barrett brought in several tough catches on the Mountain, including multiple scores while displaying excellent hands and the ability to run past his defender. The Rebels senior product must continue to put on weight to sustain on the next level but the skill set is there for Barrett to find himself on the college level this time next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrittonBarrett/status/1761533974571049286?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrittonBarrett/status/1761533974571049286?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1136682' first='Jalen' last='A. Anderson'] - Blackman </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Anderson continued his strong off-season work last weekend in Gatlinburg where he was a key performer on his NPA team, displaying good instincts with the ball in the air. The Blaze senior defender has transformed his body nicely this off-season, presenting himself as a legit college recruit and the more I see him in person, the more I think Anderson could be a hidden gem, a steal for whoever signs this Mid-Tennessee talent. His work in Gatlinburg was excellent and I expect him to continue stringing together good performances this off-season and boosting his recruiting stock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jalen_A25/status/1761598416776290461?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jalen_A25/status/1761598416776290461?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='976622' first='Josiah' last='Moore'] - Davidson Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Playing for National Playmakers Academy, Moore stood out on Saturday as one of the better two-way players for his squad as Moore was clean with his coverage while displaying some of the best hands within the entire 7v7 tournament. Word is Moore didn't drop a pass all day. Now I didn't see everything he did but what I did see was impressive as I don't remember seeing him drop anything. The Bears senior talent has some room to grow with his body but he sports good height and long arms that work well on either side of the ball and could translate to the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='390641' first='Aja' last='Jones'] - Marshall Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jones proved to be one of the toughest receivers to cover in Gatlinburg last weekend as he provided big play after big play for his Grind Hard Team, who went quite deep in bracket play. The Tigers rising senior has been one of the more athletic wideouts in the state over the past few years but his recruitment has yet to take off. Maybe continued work like he had on the Mountain last weekend will push his stock further and force college coaches to start paying attention to this Mid-Tennessee athletic receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/thatboyaja2/status/1762117843020050548?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/thatboyaja2/status/1762117843020050548?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (DB [player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith'] - Bearden</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A lockdown corner with multiple Power Two offers in hand, Smith backed up his name with some of the best coverage work I saw at the Rocky Top Classic. This is a patient defender that plays with excellent football intelligence while trusting his abilities to get the job done. A smooth mover with long arms, receivers had a hard time creating separation against Smith due to his patience but also due to his athleticism and speed. Smith also looks like he has been in the weight room this off-season, which was the one area he needed work on because everything else is there to be one of the best at his position within the entire country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='966033' first='Brandon' last='Goliday'] - Antioch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- TN Savages had a couple of wideouts to be considered as top performers but Goliday stood out the most to me due to his quick feet, speed and natural athletic abilities. A rising junior that currently sits under the radar, Goliday is an intriguing talent due to his flexibility to work outside but also work in the slot, where I think his biggest potential resides. Defensive backs had a hard time keeping this guy in front, allowing him to get behind the defense and torch the opposition with scores. Look for Goliday to boost his stock more this summer in camps but also this Fall with his Antioch Bears team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Strong Performers: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192882' first='Stephen' last='Nieves'] </strong>- Columbia Acad., ‘26 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402553' first='Kadyn' last='Pace'] </strong>- North Jackson (AL), ‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207141' first='Marcus' last='Cameron'] </strong>- Blackman, (WR/TE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102361' first='Wils' last='Jackson'] </strong>- Franklin, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] </strong>- BGA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/StephenNieves17/status/1761818875019030883?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/StephenNieves17/status/1761818875019030883?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->