College Camp Season Standouts (Part III)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yes camp season is still ongoing, so that mean's opportunity is there for in-state prospects to stand up and show out. We feel these guys below have put forth strong efforts this summer to boost their stocks and take their games to another level.</h2>     (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1102361' first='Wils' last='Jackson'] - Franklin   - Jackson has had a breakthrough off-season this year that moved into the college camp season where this Mid-Tennessee product showed off his tremendous pass catching upside and potential for the college stage. Even though Jackson had a stellar off-season, he must take that momentum into the actual season and dominate. He has the chance to do so with his mismatch abilities that he put on full display this summer in front of collegiate coaches. What Jackson provides is someone with size, length and the ability to run. Standing 6 '5 200 pounds, Jackson is a unicorn style wideout that will transition into a college tight end but could be split out wide to present problems for defensive backs. Sky's the limit for the Admirals pass catcher, who should be a focal point on offense starting next month.    - - - - -    (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='467258' first='Eli' last='Dorton'] - Anderson Co.   - One of the potential biggest stock risers for the coming Fall season is this East Tennessee O-lineman that achieved multiple college offers after some outstanding work during college camp season. Dorton is a big dude that has improved his lower body agility and bend, which gives him a better chance at slowing down the pass rush. He displayed those abilities at multiple stops this summer along with continuing to handle the power aspect of the game with ease. If the Mavs senior big man can continue to enhance his athleticism and footwork throughout the coming season, Dorton might turn himself into a D1, possible Power Four sleeper. We shall see how things work out this Fall but as of now, I like how Dorton is progressing as a player and turning into a formidable college tackle prospect.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/eli_dorton/status/1801452509443108873 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id='219352' first='Bryson' last='Daugherty'] - Lenoir City   - This East Tennessee O-lineman began building a strong name for himself last season where he earned many postseason honors then proceeded to put forth a strong off-season campaign this year. His work stayed true all the way into college camp season where Daugherty performed very well and on occasions, earning top O-lineman by college coaches at several of his stops. The Panthers senior mauler has done well for himself this off-season to push his stock forward but he is still looking for a college home. I think many coaches are waiting to see how Daugherty performs during the early part of the coming football season before they extend an offer but he is definitely on the radar due to his outstanding performances throughout camp season.    - - - - -    ‘26 (OG/C) [player_tooltip player_id='402530' first='Camden' last='Goforth'] - McMinn Co.   - At just about every stop Goforth made this off-season, he dominated his position while displaying excellent physical traits that translate well to the next level. The Cherokees junior brawler had a strong college camp season this summer where Goforth showed excellent lower base agility and strength along with great hand work and a powerful upper base. He more than handled himself with bigger D-linemen as well due to his balance and natural power. His performance this summer solidified himself as an in-state Top 10 ranked O-lineman moving forward and a Top 50 prospect overall for the #TN2026 class. The elusive offers have yet to arrive but they will. Goforth is too good to be looked over for too much longer as he brings too much value to the interior of the offensive line.    - - - - -    ‘26 (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='1136472' first='Daniel' last='Cepicky'] - Columbia Academy   - A brute mauler that enjoys the physicality of football, Cepicky did well for himself this off-season where he took advantage of camp settings and performed at a level that puts him squarely on the college radar. His march throughout the off-season began at the Prep Redzone TN combine in May then Cepicky proceeded to string together strong performances during college camp season that placed him inside our Top 60 prospects for the #TN2026 class. What stood out the most about Cepicky this summer was his physical nature but also his deceptive lower base athleticism. If this Bulldogs O-lineman can continue to increase his agility throughout the next year, Cepicky may find himself on to the D1 college level.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DFootball71/status/1802747376714514704 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='491440' first='Mekhi' last='Bell'] - Summit   - Going into college camp season, Bell was a guy that many didn't know about (Yours truly certainly did) but now this Mid-Tennessee product could be one of the biggest risers over the coming Fall football season. Standing 6 '6 250 pounds plus, Bell has the size and frame to compete on the college stage but he has proved his worth during camp season where his athleticism and length became problems for offensive linemen. The Spartans senior D-lineman displayed a variety of skills this summer that can be utilized in multiple spots across the defensive front. Bell will need to continue packing on more power and weight but the raw tools are definitely there to see his stock continue rising over the Fall football season with continued development in his game.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='951112' first='Gunnar' last='Clary'] - Beech   - One of the top defensive prospects available heading into the Fall season is this Mid-Tennessee linebacker that continued to impress on the field this summer in front of college coaches. Clary is one of the fastest linebackers we have from the #TN2026 class and he put that speed on full display during camp season this summer. Multiple clips seen from his action, Clary continued to show off his explosive movements along with range and a frame that has added more definition and size. That's probably the biggest thing holding coaches back from offering is his lean frame but if Clary can continue packing on the weight while maintaining his explosion, those offers will arrive. It will be interesting and fun to watch this Bucs defender compete this Fall and see if he progresses into the D1 talent I see on film.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ClaryGunnar/status/1798393004337852677 </div></figure>   - - - - -    ‘26 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='402525' first='Blaze' last='Katina'] - Independence   - Coming off landing his first D1 offer from North Alabama, Katina is a rising star from our #TN2026 class that put forth a strong summer camp season and I think you will continue to see his stock rise over the coming Fall season. It's been a good summer for this junior edge linebacker that has shown tremendous upside for the college game and he is still learning how to play his position, so watch out! What Katina has displayed the most is his burst off the snap and physicality to work through blocks. I think he can be even better in those two areas as he gains more experience playing on the edge. The Eagles defensive prospect is one of my breakout stars for the coming junior season as I think Katina can become one of the top pass rushers not just in his region but the entire state.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff'] - Knox. Webb   - Niendorff went into the summer camp season as a stock riser in this state and he did nothing but grow that stock even further with several strong performances in front of college coaches. The Spartans senior safety showed enhanced range and speed along with some additional pounds that will bode well for him this Fall. This is a heady ball player with leadership qualities that does all the small things correct and I think he displayed those abilities this summer very well. Niendorff's offer list hasn't grown just yet but I think it will in time as I believe coaches are waiting to see the start of his senior year before they go all in with this East TN product. He will definitely prove his worth as one of the best defensive prospects coming out of D2-Class AA and the Knoxville area.    - - - - -    ‘26 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] - Mt. Pleasant   - Keep an eye out for this rising junior as Smith shows upside to play cover corner on the collegiate level and he is still far from a finished product, which makes him an exciting prospect to follow. Over the off-season and especially within college camps, the Tigers defender displayed strong man to man coverage skills due to his agility, foot speed and length while being highly competitive against some talented receivers. Smith is a long term, high potential guy that showed college coaches in camps his ability to handle the island or at worst, fall back and become a ball hawk at free safety. He needs more time to add weight to his frame but Smith has a great opportunity this Fall to prove his worth out at cornerback and become a potential D1 prospect with continued development.   <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/1802163217189290006 </div></figure>