#TNAllStar Day Two Practice Notes

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone Tennessee was on hand today for the TNFCA East vs. West practices that had a large group of players stand out and show upside for the next level, including some guys that is already destined for that stage. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The East had the field second today where I was able to see their entire practice. The immediate thing that stood out to me was the skill and talent outside at receiver. This team has multiple big play pass catchers with natural athleticism and speed to make a difference on Saturday. Marion Co. state champion wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III'] </strong>is one of the best overall prospects in Clarksville this week and his abilities definitely stood out today.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two other guys who really piqued my interest was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822698' first='Ronye' last='Watson'] </strong>from Chatt. Central and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273609' first='Tyreque' last='McCarver'] </strong>from Smyrna. If Watson had three to four more inches on him, he would be a potential D1 guy. He has a great feel for the game and a knack for making big plays. McCarver is almost built the same but a little taller and a little thicker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another guy to mention is Tullahoma wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215424' first='Khani' last='Johnson']</strong>. He didn't flash too much at practice today but when he did, the speed showed up. He is a little bit taller than I first thought too while also having a frame that can pack on more size in the coming future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1578937,"width":"359px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/20241212_113554.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1578937" style="width:359px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest standouts from today's East team practice was Mt. Juliet quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219402' first='Tyler' last='Travers']</strong>. The Golden Bears signal caller displayed excellent accuracy and timing on several occasions throughout the day while showing the zip needed to spin it on the college level. He is a confident passer that displays good poise behind center. Travers also is a better athlete than some may think. He moves well inside and out of the pocket but can also tuck it and run if needed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the East team had two linebackers that really put strong efforts today, showing football intelligence and good athleticism towards the ball. Cookeville senior and Army signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'] </strong>and Chatt. Christian middle backer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219422' first='Malik' last='Lee']</strong> had an excellent practice today where they were clearly two of the better defensive prospects from the East squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen looks the part of a linebacker but also has the athleticism to do a variety of things in the defensive front seven. Going through the scouting process, Owen showed as one of the better coverage linebackers in the state and continued to prove that at practice.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee may be a tad undersized but this guy knows how to play middle linebacker. He is physical first and foremost but is also highly intelligent. Several times today, the Chargers senior backer made the right decisions against the run while also placing himself in position to hit somebody in the pass game, especially when they came over the middle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking into the East team defensive line, three guys stood out among others. Blackman and MTSU signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390644' first='Archie' last='Roseman'] </strong>is a load in the middle that the O-line had a hard time blocking. Much of the same could be said for Marion Co. D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282603' first='Myles' last='Mays']</strong>. The Warriors big man lined up today both on the end and in the middle where he made several disruptive plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall Co. senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136613' first='Reid' last='Mitchell'] </strong>showed flashes during the offense versus defense portion of the day but really stood out for me most in the drill work. Mitchell looks like he has gotten bigger but even more so muscular and more toned. His body transformation should help him find a way into college and possibly sustain a career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1578921,"width":"387px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/20241212_113746-crop-3629x2383-1734039074.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1578921" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Initial impression on the West team is that this squad is loaded! Especially on defense where the front seven is chalk full of talent and future college guys. Athleticism, power, speed and size reigns true throughout the defensive line along with some outstanding talent sitting behind them at linebacker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summit defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491440' first='Mekhi' last='Bell'] </strong>was unblockable. Nobody could stay in front of this future Chattanooga lineman. His height, length and bust off the edge was very difficult to handle and the great thing about Bell is the fact he is still developing and growing, so his best football is definitely ahead of him. Much of the same can be said for Pearl Cohn edge defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1148636' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas']</strong>. The Firebirds senior was very active off the edge today, using his speed and excellent hand work to cause problems.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia Central senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611956' first='Jhrevious' last='Hall'] </strong>and under the radar Brentwood Academy D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213391' first='Todd' last='Hammond'] </strong>were two other impressive performers today. Hall is a broad shouldered, athletic guy that definitely looks the part. He used his power and speed to cause issues in the middle throughout practice, showing why he is headed to play his college ball at Indiana.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond had a solid senior season that boosted his #PRZTN stock and continued to do so today in practice. The Eagles D-lineman is bigger in person than it shows on film but is also a good athlete too that does fit in the middle with the ability to work on the end during pass situations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartlett linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795560' first='Austin' last='Howard'] </strong>is an absolute beast that could step on the field next summer with Vanderbilt and immediately compete for playing time. The Panthers senior looks the part of a college guy but also has the football intelligence and athleticism to potentially end Saturday's All-Star as game MVP. He is that good!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1578930,"width":"348px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/20241212_093006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1578930" style="width:348px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying on defense, the West team has a deep and talented secondary on hand this week with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529774' first='Ladeadrick' last='James'] </strong>from Houston and <strong>Carlos Battle </strong>from McGavock having strong practice days. James handled cornerback and performed well against some speedy receivers. His technique and lower body movements are what stood out the most to me. James shows upside to remain at corner in college but certainly has the athleticism to handle multiple roles on the back end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battle is a hidden gem that even jumped on my radar for the first time today. He has the college size you want on the back end but he can also run. Battle is someone I will be taking a deeper look at over the next two months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving over to offense, the West squad had three pass catchers that had good practice days. Continuing his play from the regular season, BGA wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] </strong>was the best receiver between both teams today. Defensive backs had a hard time keeping him in front and when he got behind them, the Wildcats receiver finished the play with several spectacular catches. I don't remember a single from Hayes today.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best receptions from the West practice came from Franklin wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129813' first='Lucas' last='Young']. </strong>Sporting good size with broad shoulders, Young used his physicality on several occasions to work through defenders, high point the ball and come down the catch. He has deceptive speed too. Young might have to play on a low level of college ball to begin with but has the upside to move up one day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davidson Academy tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466271' first='Wes' last='Harper'] </strong>didn't haul in too many receptions today but he flashed wide open all day throughout practice. The Bears senior knows how to run routes and knows how to get himself open. His versatility to line up in a variety of ways should be quite appealing to coaches and if he has a strong showing on Saturday, Harper could see increased college interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1578925,"width":"420px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/20241212_100432.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1578925" style="width:420px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->