Pops’ Tennesssee Film Review and Grades: 3/12/25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the <strong><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1506/register/middle-school-combine-tennessee">PRZ Next Tennessee Middle School Combine</a></strong> on the horizon, I took some time to look at the 2024 film of some 2029 prospects I have recently come across. Below are some high levels notes and film grades for some prospects that will be hitting the high school level next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1618410"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d1aff0530ec"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Madison County (West TN)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Physicality, hands</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first two plays of his 2024 film personifies what Hardin brings to the table as a prospect. Defensively, Hardin is a physical Safety that can hit with the force of a Linebacker, yet has the coverage skills of a Cornerback. He's a three-down Safety who can come down in the box to help, in addition to aiding in coverage. On the other side of the ball as a Wide Receiver, he has very reliable hands and has a knack for creating big plays after making the grab.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Straight line speed</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt Hardin's a talented prospect. He's a three-sport athlete (football/baseball/basketball) and his Hudl lists him at 5-foot-11 and 160-pounds with a 4.7 in the forty. Sometimes with film it's hard to judge speed, so take this with a grain of salt, but his speed doesn't immediately stand out like other assets of his game. I would love to see verified size/speed numbers on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade</strong>: B+</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610757"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d1aff05317a"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hamilton County (East TN)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Size, quickness for his size</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of Wright's 2024 film from the regular season is of him playing along the Defensive Line in various positions, primarily focused Defensive End and Edge. However, nearly all of the off-season work he's posted shows him on the offensive side of the ball as a Tight End. Regardless of which film I watched, his speed and quickness is impressive for his size. Additionally, speaking on his defensive ability, his film shows that he does a very good job using his hands to defeat blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>:<strong> </strong>Keep progressing</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He physically looks the part as of March 2025, but continuing to progress as he hits the high school ranks will be important. He's the younger brother of Zac Wright, a Defensive Linemen who had a brief stint at the University of Tennessee a decade ago. He'll be at the <strong><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1506/register/middle-school-combine-tennessee">PRZ Next Tennessee Middle School Combine</a></strong> this May, in addition to several other events he's planning to attend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade</strong>: B</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633787"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d1aff0531e2"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hamilton County (East TN)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Hands, speed</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like what I saw on the 2024 film of Bivens, as both a Defensive Back and Wide Receiver. As of March 2025 he long limbs and a longer frame than some others DB/WRs at this level. A year ago he qualified for the State Track and Field Meet in the Long Jump, as a seventh-grader.He covers a lot of ground with longer strides and tracks the ball (regardless of which side of the ball he's playing) at an advanced level. He gets vertical in hurry while running routes as a WR. As a Safety, his speed allows him to play Center Field and blanket a large portion of the field with relative ease. He looks like a natural in the defensive secondary and should be identified pre-snap on every play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>:<strong> </strong>Become a well-rounded DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His 2024 film shows many draw-dropping highlights and spectacular plays--which highlights the special ability he has. With that said, his film doesn't show any tackles or support in the run game. That's not to say Bivens doesn't haven't have the ability to do so, but become a better tackler and more well-rounded Defensive Back is something that can be said for the majority of pre-high school prospects. Adding, or showing off his physicality, in additional to his ball skills, will only take him higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade</strong>: B</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->