The Film Room: #TN2025 Evals (Part VIII)
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Back in the lab, breaking down more prospects from our in-state senior class, here we look at five guys that is squarely on the D1, FCS radar and players that still have room to grow with their abilities. Tyler Travers…
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Continue ReadingBack in the lab, breaking down more prospects from our in-state senior class, here we look at five guys that is squarely on the D1, FCS radar and players that still have room to grow with their abilities.
Strengths – The first thing you immediately recognize when you turn on Travers tape is his size and presence in the pocket. The Golden Bears senior passer stands tall in the pocket with poise, keeping his eyes down field, looking for the open receiver. While Travers is a good athlete that can run it if needed, he is a pass first guy that wants to get the ball downfield in a hurry. He has some of the best zip in the state from the QB position, so he has the arm power to make all the throws. This is a tough, hard nosed competitor that will stand tall and take the hit, just to get the ball to his receiver. His toughness along with his team first attitude, makes Travers big captain material for the college game.
Development – While Travers sports some strong potential, he does have a few areas that need work. His mechanics are the first area for improvement and that’s actually something the Golden Bears passer has been developing and working hard on all off-season long. It’s paying off too as I can see a big difference in his delivery. Increasing his overall athleticism and lower body quickness is needed as well. Doing so will make his footwork look even better than it already is.
Overview – Travers fits the role of your dependable backup NFL quarterback that can step in and get the job done. If the Golden Bears signal caller wants to become that kind of guy, he must continue developing and learning his craft but the potential is there. His first stop will be on the collegiate gridiron as a possible multi year starter that can put up a lot of yards but at which level will that be? Travers hold a few FCS offers right now with D1 programs sniffing around. He has the upside to possibly reach the D1 playing field with good work this summer in camps as well as his best season yet with Mt. Juliet. It will be interesting to see how Travers progresses over the coming months and to see where he lands in college.
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Strengths – Just about everything this Williamson County native does on the field is clean. Merrill is a true “ball player” that knows what he is doing on the field as well as provides athleticism and big play abilities for his Bruins offense. Merrill brings several efficient traits to the playing field that should translate well to Austin Peay, where he committed to just recently. He is a crisp route runner that can create separation but also can feel out his opponent and work his way into open space. Merrill has the ability to run your intermediate routes and be your safe option or stretch the field and beat his defender over the top. This Mid-Tennessee talent is a perfect option for the slot where I think his abilities can shine the best. Besides being a big play at receiver, Merrill might also be one of the better options in this state for the return game. The Bruins senior runs well with the ball in his hands, showing running back style vision along with the ability to break away from the pack.
Development – There isn’t a whole lot to Merrill that he must improve upon. The main things would be to get faster and little quicker while also continuing to further his craft. Learning his position, especially playing in the slot, is an area where Merrill can push his game to another level.
Overview – Merrill is one of the top slot receivers in the state for a reason and a guy that still has room to grow into his abilities and possibly become a feared offensive weapon during his time at Austin Peay. He has yet to have that true breakout season for the Bruins but maybe this Fall will be his time. Merrill should be the go-to guy on offense this season and their top playmaker that can’t leave the field due to his big play abilities. Even with a less than talented crop of wideouts for the #TN2025 class, Merrill sits in the upper echelon of recruits that I could see having a big senior year and pushing his stock higher than the FCS level.
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Strengths – Taylor has multi years of starting experience with his Hornets squad and a guy that can handle a variety of roles across the offensive front. Athletic with a mobile lower base, Taylor shows explosive flashes and dominating reps on film that screams college potential. He does a good job of getting off the snap fast and placing his powerful hands into his opponent then driving them off the line. The Hornets senior big man plays with a bit of a mean streak, which is a trait I really like. Taylor is a physical competitor that will drive his man into the dirt while also playing through the whistle. Possibly the biggest strengths for Taylor is his football smarts and O-line versatility. He has the skill set to possibly handle right tackle in college but his best position could be inside at guard or center, where I actually think he can shine the most. Taylor shows good bend as well as the ability to pick up blocks, so if he can learn snapping, center might be where he lands on the college level.
Development – Over the past few years while performing with his wrestling team, Taylor has fluctuated with his weight but he currently sits at 270 and rising. Adding the needed size and weight will allow the Hornets O-lineman to sustain his blocks longer, take on bigger opponents and physically dominate his man. Continued work with his pass blocking is something Taylor can continue enhancing as well.
Overview – A multi year starter that could be finally coming into his own, Taylor is one of the more intriguing offensive linemen from the #TN2025 class as a guy with untapped potential that could shine very bright on the FCS, possible D1 level. Adding a recent offer from Army, this East Tennessee talent brings a lot of value to the locker room and playing field as a high character young man that loves the game and can also work all across the offensive front at multiple positions. Taylor will need more time to fill out his body while continuing to enhance his craft but the upside is certainly there and I think college coaches will finally start seeing it over the next coming months.
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Strengths – Last season was a breakout year for this Nashville area D-lineman that displayed excellent handwork and the ability to rush the passer from multiple roles across the defensive front seven. The biggest strength that stands out about Carter, Jr is his quickness off the ball. The Mustangs senior D-lineman shows excellent burst off the snap that the opposition has a problem dealing with along with nice closing speed towards the ball. He does a good job of using his hands as well. Carter, Jr has quick but powerful hands that translate very well to the college game and will only become more violent as he continues to mature. This guy is one of the better interior pass rushers that I have seen in this state in some time. He is almost the perfect 3-tech D-Tackle that gets up the field quickly and disrupts plays. Besides his pass rushing prowess, Carter, Jr also does a good job at shedding blocks quickly, moving laterally or up-field to stop the run. Athleticism is a strong point for this D-lineman that could also play the edge within a 3-4 defense.
Development – Gaining more power and weight is where I see the work must be done. Carter, Jr is a naturally strong young man but gaining more weight along with added strength will give this disruptive D-lineman a chance to take on double teams better. Sometimes his burst can run him out of plays, so remaining more disciplined will grow his game further.
Overview – I really like this Nashville area prospect and what he can do on the next level. College coaches diagnosed this guy early on as a disruptor that could bring a lot of pass rushing upside to their defensive lines. He showed that in a big way last season and positioned himself now as one of the best D-lineman in state for the #TN2025 class. Carter, Jr may need a little time to adjust to the college game while adding the needed weight but I think he can make an early impact due to his ability to get after the passer. It could be an exciting 2024 season for the Mustangs senior as I don’t see many O-linemen able to block him and if they do, kudos to them because Carter, Jr is legit and a potential multi year college starter.
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Strengths – Tall and long with a versatile skill set, Brown is dripping with potential as a possible college edge rusher with the ability to slide inside. The Saints senior linebacker took a big step in his progression last year as a junior displaying a strong get-off, nice bend and excellent closing speed. Brown is one of the more athletic and twitchy backers we have in the #TN2025 class that is still far from a finished product. Where his game fits the best is on the outside where he can get after the quarterback but has the athleticism and smarts to play the middle and help versus the run. Brown can run too, so I think he could develop into a sideline to sideline linebacker as well as his ability to work the edge. Pass coverage is another area where Brown could excel in playing his linebacker position as he shows the mobile traits to do well there.
Development – While Brown is a natural athlete with some big potential, he is still far from a finished product with plenty of areas for improvement. The Saints backer must hit the weight room hard, gaining the needed strength to move forward. He also has to continue developing his pass rush abilities off the edge as well as his overall football knowledge.
Overview – Long term pay-off is what I see with Brown as someone that could develop into an every down starter in college down the road. A freak athlete with some bounce to his game, Brown brings the athletic traits to the table that can develop into an excellent edge rusher and someone you can depend on to cause havoc. For the moment, Brown still sits under the radar but could turn things around over the next few months with strong performances in college camps and a banner senior year. This is a prospect to certainly keep an eye on as Brown has too much talent and upside to be looked past much longer and someone that could be a steal for whoever decides to bring him on board.