#PRZMusicCityMayhem: Top Defensive In-State Standouts

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Out of all the defenders at last weekend 7v7 tournament, these guys below made the cut after strong showings, including some breakout performances that might land them on the radar for collegiate coaches. </h2>     (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1151465' first='J.C.' last='Haynes'] - Riverdale   - It was good to see this 6 '5 edge linebacker play some 7v7 last weekend to enhance his athleticism and mobility and I think he handled himself just fine. Haynes is tall and long with a big radius that can take up space along with some quick feet that shows potential to chase down the quarterback on the next level. The biggest thing that stood out about his 7v7 performance was his ability to recognize routes in his area then use his length to cause disruptions or deflect some passes. For the college game, Haynes is better suited for the edge than playing in space but his work in the Boro last weekend showed that he could work in pass coverage on occasions when needed.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jchaynes16/status/1772100640979705985?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='783318' first='Cody' last='Miller'] - Anderson Co.   - A true middle backer for the college game, Miller continued to increase his coverage skills last weekend at the Music City Mayhem and pushed his game to another level. The Mavs senior linebacker is a smart guy who understands what he is doing on the field. On multiple occasions, Miller placed himself in the mix to make a play on the ball, showing off his high football IQ along with good instincts. He contributed on offense as well but it was his work on defense that landed Miller on this list. This East TN product will need to continue increasing his speed and agility but last weekend in the Boro was a strong step in the right direction when it comes to his development.    - - - - -    ‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1049318' first='Hank' last='Miller'] - TCA    - This past weekend at the Music City Mayhem, Miller had himself a strong showing as a key piece on defense for his “TN Pride” team that made it all the way to the 18U title game. The Lions rising junior linebacker handled the middle for his defense and did well at dropping into space to either place himself in the way or make plays on the ball. He was also a key leader on defense that communicated very well for his teammates, making sure he and others were in the right positions. Miller is a bit undersized but he plays much bigger with a fearless attitude and the desire to win ball games.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='819506' first='Ke'Darean' last='Fletcher'] - Cane Ridge   - Tall and long with a wide radius, Fletcher is a physically impressive young man that flexed his work last weekend at the PRZ Music City Mayhem 7v7 tournament, showing himself as one of the top DB prospects from our in-state class. Fletcher did a good job of reading and reacting to the play then either making a play on the ball and placing himself in the way for incompletions. His height and length was a problem for opposing receivers as well as the quarterback as they had a hard time finding their target through Fletcher. For the next level, I like Fletcher best at safety where he can use his range to track the ball but he does provide versatility in the secondary as well as on special teams.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='829084' first='Deuce' last='Greenhill'] - Crockett Co.   - One of the more pleasant surprises from last weekend's 7v7 tournament in Murfreesboro was this West Tennessee talent that provides nice athleticism to either side of the ball but it was his work on defense that landed him on this list. Greenhill brings good size (6'0 165) to the secondary along with potential to play multiple positions on the back end. His work was key last weekend in helping his “TN Pride” team reach the 18U title game as well as big plays made on both sides of the ball. Greenhill comes from a small town but he is talented and worthy of more looks. He will need to keep learning and adding weight but I can see potential on the next level for him to excel within a college secondary.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/greenhillboy22/status/1772375051347636716?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1224014' first='Deon' last='Waller'] - Mt. Juliet   - Waller is a two-way athlete for his Golden Bears high school team but his work on defense so far this 7v7 season and especially last weekend at the PRZ Music City Mayhem tournament is making me think he could be a great piece on the college level for nickelback. Instinctive and fast to the ball, Waller was excellent in coverage last weekend displaying high football IQ along with the ability to flip his hips and change directions quickly. This dude is a competitor too that plays hard every down while consistently being on the spot to make plays on the ball. The way Waller is playing this off-season points to a big, breakout senior year this Fall for his Golden Bears team.     - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1224005' first='Anthony' last='Holland'] - Northwest   - Holland has been mentioned a couple of times thus far in the off-season on this site and he continues to make our top lists with another strong performance last weekend at the Music City Mayhem 7v7 tournament. This Clarksville area prospect could have been mentioned for offense as Holland made several big plays for his Mid-TN Wolfpack team throughout the day but his consistent play on the back end of the secondary was key to making our top defensive performers. Holland was highly instinctive while making the right reads at safety to keep the opposing quarterbacks from going deep. This is an underrated talent that has produced big so far throughout his HS career and I expect another big year this Fall with his Vikings team.    - - - - -    ‘26 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'] - Oakland   - Recruiting has gone well for this Murfreesboro area safety who backed up his status at the PRZ Music City Mayhem last weekend as one of the top performers for his “TN Showtime” team. Tutt is an instinctive ball player that makes good reads then reacts quickly. He showed those abilities at the Siegel Soccer Complex and then some. Tutt provided a nice safety blanket on the back end, keeping teams from going deep on his side while being there on the spot to make a play on the ball when it came his direction. Tutt is a versatile defender too that plays well close to the line of scrimmage. He has already seen a major spike in his recruitment and after watching him perform in person last weekend, I expect more offers to come his way soon.    - - - - -    ‘26 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] - Mt. Pleasant   - One of the more impressive cover corner work from last weekend's Music City Mayhem 7v7 tournament was this Mid-TN rising junior who performed very well for his TN Savages team. Sporting good height and length, Smith did a good job of using those physical traits to his advantage along with nice speed that allowed him to keep pace with his opponent throughout the day. He is a little lean right now but certainly has the frame to take on more size and develop his skill set much further. His work at the tournament last weekend showed some upside to possibly play cover corner on the next level but if not, Smith has the athleticism and physical abilities to provide versatility across the secondary somewhere else.   <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_Smith2/status/1772008852222865718?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - -    ‘26 (DB) A'Darien Davis - Stewarts Creek   - Starting on Saturday afternoon and finishing on Sunday in the Quarterfinals, Davis was one of the more consistent cover corners I saw at the Music City Mayhem last weekend and someone with great upside for the college game. The Red Hawks junior defensive back showed excellent discipline on the outside using his height and length as well as his physicality to lock down receivers while displaying good speed down field. Davis has tons of potential when it comes to his physical traits (6'2 175) to play cornerback or safety on the next level. He will need continued development on the field but of all the defensive backs I saw last weekend, Davis has some of the best upside of all.    - - - - -    Four Other Standouts: (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1159809' first='Antoni' last='Morton'] - East Nashville, (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1125368' first='Kal' last='Latina'] - Warren Co., '26 (LB) Lekhy Thompkins - TCA, ‘26 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1630987' first='Trashawn' last='Jean'] - Lincoln Co.