#TN2025 Small Town Standouts (Part Two)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Continuing our series w/ the top players coming out of small towns, here we bring you ten more prospects that many might not know about but need to as these guys are ballers, potential college guys. </h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2025&commitment=">#TN2025 Prospect Database</a>   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='962845' first='Johnny' last='Jackson'] - Giles Co.   - The 2023 season was a breakout year for this small town, strong armed lefty, who returns for his senior year with the possibility of leading his Giles Co. team yet again, deep into the playoffs. Jackson put up some strong numbers last Fall, leading his team deep into the playoffs while establishing as one of the better dual threat quarterbacks from our #TN2025 class. The Bobcats senior lefty thrower shows good arm talent on film along with the ability to beat you with his legs. His leadership is strong too. Jackson is a definite sleeper candidate to contend for 4A Mr. Football this season, as long as the Bobcats remain at the top of their region.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1200996' first='Jacob' last='Saunders'] - Hardin Co.   - Playing alongside one of the best quarterbacks in the state the last two years, it's now time for Saunders to step into the spotlight and become his team's go-to guy on offense. Sporting good size along with a physical build and body, Saunders is a load at running back that is hard for defenders to bring down or corral. Once he gets into the open field, his speed kicks in then he accelerates away from his opponent. The Tigers senior ball carrier should take on a bigger role this year, putting himself in position to contend for 4A Mr. Football this year as well as boost his recruiting stock towards a potential FCS level prospect.    - - - - -    (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='832835' first='Kalvin' last='Meadows'] - Chester Co.   - Sporting good size at 6'5 280 pounds, Meadows is a West TN talent that brings some physical traits to the field that play up to the college level along with upside to handle the tackle position. The Eagles senior big man has generated some good buzz this off-season but has yet to see his recruitment take-off. What I like about this tall and long O-lineman is his frame to add in more weight but also his ability to handle the pass rush due to his natural athletic abilities. Meadows has the physical build to also pack the size and move inside to guard as well. His work this off-season has been strong (seen last weekend at the Under Armour Nashville Camp) as Meadows has continued to develop his lower base agility and overall pass blocking while continuing to add the needed weight. This is definitely someone to watch throughout the coming months as a potential breakout FCS, D1 recruit.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kalvinmeadows74/status/1779574989395562553 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1209531' first='Kylan' last='Glynn'] - Halls   - Glynn is a big time hidden gem that hails from a small part of the West Tennessee region that has good size (6'4 300 lbs) along with the lower half mobility to play his way into the college game. Looking over his junior film, Glynn shows natural, raw power along with good athleticism that can be further developed over time. He moves people with ease but with playing on the 2A level, Glynn doesn't see the kind of size on the line like he will in college. His work this summer in camps as well as his senior will be critical towards earning his way to the collegiate gridiron. I think he can as I like this kid and what he can be down the road.    - - - - -    (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1102507' first='KD' last='Cunningham'] - McKenzie   - All this guy knows is winning while being with the Rebels and his play on film shows it as a hard nosed competitor that uses his quickness, hands and lateral quickness to cause havoc in the backfield. Cunningham is an aggressive and tough D-lineman that sports a versatile skill set as someone that can rush the passer from multiple areas. Coming out of the McKenzie programs helps Cunningham when it comes to recruiting as the Rebels know how to win state titles and produce solid ball players, even with coming from the Class 1A ranks. This 6 '1 active trench monster will need to show off his abilities this summer in camps to earn those offers but I think he will prove his worth to achieve his goals.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kdcunningham-crop-762x501-1713374233.jpeg?w=761" alt="" class="wp-image-1249278" style="width:428px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='390619' first='Zae' last='Odom'] - Cannon Co.   - Odom hails from the outskirts of the Middle TN area but has experienced competition against strong talent during the last two off-season's, so he isn't afraid of the spotlight. Now it's his time to shine as a team leader and senior starter where Odom heads into the summer months and Fall football season as someone expected to contribute in a big way on both sides of the ball. Linebacker will be his calling card for college and Odom brings the size and coverage abilities to the table that play up well on the next level. This Lions senior athlete has a big chance over the next several months to not only help his team to the playoffs but boost his stock into a hopeful college recruit.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/itszae9/status/1766599729503154425 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1118589' first='Dason' last='Springer'] - White House-Heritage   - Going into the 2024 football season, Springer is one of the more underrated defensive back prospects we have in this year's class and someone with the size and ball skills to potentially become a game changer in college. Standing 6'2 180 pounds, Springer is a big guy on the back end with a ball hawk mentality, who picked off two passes last year while producing 103 tackles for his junior season. This guy plays around the ball, showing the athleticism and instincts to develop nicely at safety. Springer I feel could be a breakout guy on the college camp scene this summer where he starts to see his recruitment go in a different direction then turns out a big senior year that pushes him into the next level.   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102524' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] - Mt. Pleasant   - Standing almost 6 '2 and 175 pounds with long arms, Johnson is a very intriguing talent that brings nice physical traits to the playing field along with athleticism and the potential to handle multiple roles within the secondary. The Tigers senior defender gained significant experience last year as a junior and is now expected to step his game up even further as a senior leader and possible two-way talent for his squad this season. What I like most about this Mid-TN talent is his length and speed along with his versatility to possibly play cover corner in college. He needs more work in the weight room and on the field but the raw tools are there to become a college guy by the end of this recruiting cycle.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='258659' first='Sam' last='Willoughby'] - Fayetteville   - Willoughby is one guy on this list that has generated strong buzz for himself throughout his high school career but as we sit in the month of April, things have been quiet for this 6 '6 athlete. The Tigers star athlete handles the QB role for his team and he does a good job at using his athleticism to be a game changer but for the college level, Willoughby may be better suited for receiver or maybe even tight end, if he can gain the proper weight. One thing I know about Willoughby that translates to the college game is that he is a playmaker, so simply having him on the field makes a difference. It will be interesting to see how his recruitment goes over the next several months and how he performs this senior season.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1102967' first='Tripp' last='Pinion'] - White Co.   - If you follow high school ball here in Tennessee, you know who Pinion is as this two-way talent has done nothing but produce at a high level ever since he stepped onto the field. Handling the QB role for his Warriors team, Pinion is a natural athlete who can run and his speed does translate well to the next level but at which position? Receiver and safety is where his upside resides the most and Pinion has been developing nicely this off-season at both positions, especially in the slot where his natural athletic abilities might shine the brightest. Before heading off to college, Pinion has a shot at winning Mr. Football this year for the 5A ranks and possibly go down as one of the more productive offensive talents to ever come out of the state of Tennessee.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PinionTripp/status/1776731942521577617 </div></figure>