Spring Showcase Top Performers: Defense
![Spring Showcase Top Performers: Defense](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/20240519_142343-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1716392047.jpg?w=800)
In this article:
We had some known names continue to establish themselves with some others, some under the radar guys putting forth strong camp performances to earn “Top Performers” at last weekend’s #PRZTN Showcase. Defensive Line Tobja Walters Jr Tobja Walters Jr 6'1"…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe had some known names continue to establish themselves with some others, some under the radar guys putting forth strong camp performances to earn “Top Performers” at last weekend’s #PRZTN Showcase.
Defensive Line
Tobja Walters Jr
Tobja
Walters Jr
6'1" | 290 lbs | DL
Oak Ridge | 2026
State
TN
, – Oak Ridge ‘26
– From start to finish, Walters was clearly the most talented D-lineman in attendance as he handled himself well during testing and both in positional work and 1 on 1’s. The Wildcats junior trench monster was exceptional during the latter half of camp where O-linemen could not block him as Walters was quick off snap along with some mature pass rush moves. There was no question who the D-line MVP would be!
– – – – –
Cedarrein Kelly
Cedarrein
Kelly
6'2" | 255 lbs | DL
Westwood | 2025
State
TN
– Westwood
– Kelly helped himself big time last Sunday as he ended camp as a Top 3 performer for the D-line position. He earned that status by doing well throughout testing but it was his work in 1 on 1 competition that pushed him towards the top. Kelly showed good quickness of the snap as well as good handwork and a variety of pass rush moves. Continued camp performances like this will go a long way in boosting his stock.
– – – – –
Claudio-Adam Vik
Claudio-Adam
Vik
6'2" | 280 lbs | DL
Coffee Co. | 2025
TN
– Coffee Co.
– We as scouts need to take a harder look at this Mid-TN talent as Vik was near unstoppable at the #PRZTN Showcase. This 6’2 interior pass rusher was one of the better athletes throughout the day from the D-line position as it showed during testing, positional work and especially in 1 on’1’s, where O-linemen had a problem dealing with Vik’s active hands and quickness off the snap.
– – – – –
Dawson Carson Dawson Carson 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL White House | 2025 TN – White House
– One of the bigger surprises on defense for the #PRZTN Spring Showcase, Carson stood out with his work in 1 on 1’s where he did a nice job off the edge with his length and lower body quickness. The Blue Devils senior defensive end has nice physical traits that play up on the next level along with a body that can pack on more weight. A big senior year could land this Mid-TN pass rusher college opportunities.
– – – – –
Quise Smith – South Warren (Ky) ‘27
– Coming down to the Boro from Southern Kentucky, Smith established himself as one of the better D-Tackle prospects with his consistent work throughout the entire combine. This is a nimble guy for someone 6 ‘2 almost 300 pounds that fits the role of nose tackle well. Smith has enough athleticism too to provide an interior pass rush.
– – – – –
Other Top DL Performers:
KD Cunningham
KD
Cunningham
6'2" | 240 lbs | DL
McKenzie | 2025
State
TN
– McKenzie,
Jamir Turner
Jamir
Turner
6'4" | 285 lbs | DL
Alcoa | 2025
State
TN
– Alcoa,
C.J. Wyller
C.J.
Wyller
6'1" | 245 lbs | DL
Baylor | 2025
State
TN
– Baylor,
Harrison Smith
Harrison
Smith
6'2" | 225 lbs | DL
Sequatchie County | 2026
TN
– Sequatchie Co. ‘26
– – – – – – – – – –
Linebackers
Gavin Schaffer
Gavin
Schaffer
6'0" | 215 lbs | LB
Brentwood Academy | 2025
State
TN
– Brentwood Academy
– Earning MVP honors for the linebackers, Schaffer had a consistent day where he tested well but it was his positional and 1 on 1 work that sealed the deal. The Eagles senior backer took to directions well, doing everything in a technique sound way that says potential captain on the next level. Another area where he stepped up was his ability to cover 15 to 20 yards down field. It was a stellar day for Schaffer that certainly boosted his stock.
– – – – –
Kavion Yancey
Kavion
Yancey
6'4" | 195 lbs | LB
Hamilton | 2025
State
TN
– Hamilton
– Tall and long with a great body to take on more weight, Yancey was very impressive last Sunday, especially his ability to cover receivers out of the slot and deep down field. The Cats senior defender was one of the more athletic performers at camp that boosted his stock in a big way due to his ability to cover and move with ease while also showing the speed needed to compete on the big stage of college ball.
– – – – –
Blake Owen
Blake
Owen
6'1" | 225 lbs | LB
Cookeville | 2025
State
TN
– Cookeville
– Owen came to camp with some strong buzz behind his name and he backed it up by landing among the top performers at his position with excellent work throughout the entire camp. The Cavs backer showed out well during testing and positional work but it was his coverage abilities in 1 on 1 ‘s that stood out to me. This guy is a strong athlete that can run and flip his hips. Owen is still learning the position, so the future is bright with this guy.
– – – – –
Quortez Gilbert
Quortez
Gilbert
6'1" | 210 lbs | LB
Antioch | 2025
State
TN
– Antioch
– This Nashville area prospect was someone I was interested to learn more about and I did as Gilbert is a good athlete that shows good upside in college at inside linebacker. He kicked off his day by doing well during testing then went on to have good showing during positional and 1 on 1 work. Gilbert is a fluid athlete that diagnoses well then attacks. His improvement in pass coverage will go a long ways towards his recruitment picking up.
– – – – –
Other Top LB Performers:
Wesley Howard
Wesley
Howard
6'2" | 190 lbs | LB
John Overton | 2025
TN
– Overton,
Braydon Coffelt
Braydon
Coffelt
6'2" | 235 lbs | DL
Marion Co. | 2025
State
TN
– Marion Co.,
Andy Brock
Andy
Brock
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Beech | 2026
TN
– Beech ‘26
– – – – – – – – – –
Defensive Backs
Jacob Sharp
Jacob
Sharp
5'9" | 160 lbs | DB
Mcminn County | 2025
TN
– McMinn Co.
– Sharp had himself a stellar day at the #PRZTN Spring Showcase where this East TN talent came away MVP for the defensive backs and a prospect we scouts need to look harder at moving forward. Where Sharp stood out the most was during 1 on 1’s where his man to man coverage was on point, including his recovery speed and ball skills. He is a bit undersized but Sharp makes up for it with competitive, aggressive game play and the versatility to play on the outside or at nickelback.
– – – – –
Isaiah Williams
Isaiah
Williams
5'11" | 165 lbs | DB
Brentwood Academy | 2025
State
TN
– Brentwood Academy
– If it wasn’t for the play of Sharp, this Mid-Tennessee product would have walked away as MVP. Williams was outstanding from beginning to end with a consistent brand of football along with some of the best technique of all defensive backs. Williams was near flawless during 1 on 1 action where his man to man coverage was outstanding, showing upside to play on the outside in college. This is a good “football” player that will make any secondary better.
– – – – –
Josiah Moore
Josiah
Moore
6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH
Beech | 2025
State
TN
– Beech
– Moore has been putting together a solid off-season so far with last Sunday being another strong performance. The Bucs senior two-way talent displayed his abilities at defensive back, where this tall and long athlete handled himself well with man coverage during 1 on 1 competition as well as showed the speed to keep up with receivers on the outside. Continued development must be done but I can see the potential being fulfilled with Moore.
– – – – –
Caiden Warren – Coffee Co.
– Warren kicked off his camp performance in a big way by running a 4.5 flat during testing then proceeded to look smooth during his positional work. Once we got 1 on 1’s, Warren did a good job of reading the quarterback then darting the ball without hesitation. The Raiders senior safety sits under the radar at the moment but could rise up soon as this is an athletic guy with ball hawk abilities and traits.
– – – – –
Jalen Smith
Jalen
Smith
6'1" | 163 lbs | DB
Mt. Pleasant | 2026
State
TN
– Mt. Pleasant ‘26
– It’s been an active off-season thus far for Smith, who has developed nicely into a potential cover corner on the next level. That can happen with continued performances like he had last Sunday where Smith was one of the better man to man cover guys at camp. He used his height, length and speed to cause problems for receivers. Smith also showed good technique along with strong ball skills that can play everywhere in the secondary.
– – – – –
Other Top DB Performers:
Hudson Fuqua
Hudson
Fuqua
5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH
Riverdale | 2027
TN
– Riverdale ‘27, Jaden Lark – Blackman ‘26,
Tristan Plumlee
Tristan
Plumlee
6'0" | 170 lbs | DB
Collierville | 2026
TN
– Collierville ‘26
We had some known names continue to establish themselves with some others, some under the radar guys putting forth strong camp performances to earn "Top Performers" at last weekend's #PRZTN Showcase.
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading