Top Defensive Performers (Music City Mayhem)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 7v7 game is mostly centered around offense but we can't forget about the defenders, the guys who are tasked at stopping the playmakers. Below are the defensive prospects that we felt stood out with top level performances at the #PRZTN 7v7 Tournament. </h2>     (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] - McCallie (Mid-TN Wolfpack Blue)   - Our #TN2026 recruiting class has several hidden gems at the moment with Abercrombie being one of them. This past weekend at the #PRZTN Tournament, this McCallie linebacker continued to boost his stock by having a standout performance where he displayed solid coverage abilities along with excellent closing speed. Abercrombie is an athletic and versatile performer that could develop in college either off the edge rushing the passer or at “Mike” linebacker. His work playing the pass in Smyrna, Tennessee showed that Abercrombie could work in coverage and in open space. He is also quite aggressive, which is something college coaches would enjoy having on the field.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1143640' first='Dryden' last='Anderson-Smith'] - Notre Dame (Chatt. Wolfpack)   - Tall and long with a nice frame to add more weight, Anderson-Smith showed multiple flashes throughout the weekend that showed potential at edge linebacker as someone that could play in space but also rush up field. This Fighting Irish senior made several plays against the pass at the #PRZTN Tournament that showed me upside to remain on defense. Anderson-Smith is also a receiver that could develop into a potential college tight end. His athleticism and versatility was on full display last weekend. He was a key component within his Chatt. Wolfpack team and someone that could rarely leave the field. More work must be done in the weight room but Anderson-Smith certainly showed last weekend college potential.    - - - - -    (LB) Don Turner, Jr - Hillsboro (Team Grind Hard)   - Even though his team had some struggles at the Music City Mayhem, Turner, Jr was one guy that stood out due to his work in space on the defensive side of the ball. The Burros senior backer flashed abilities to work in coverage, which was surprising as I have Turner, Jr scouted as a true edge rusher. His ability to play in space certainly helped cause and profile moving forward. Turner, Jr does need to keep forming his body while increasing his speed but this Nashville did show the athleticism to do more in college, instead of just rushing the passer. Following his progression this summer and into the Fall season will be something I pay attention to after seeing his 7v7 work in Smyrna.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jr1_turner/status/1903890982325608886 </div></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (LB) Hudson Turner - Brentwood (Bruins 27 Gold)   - Opposing teams had a hard time moving the ball against the Bruins Gold defense with Turner being a key cog in those efforts. This rising junior linebacker had a strong showing at the #PRZTN Tournament where he displayed the ability to cover in space while using his reactionary skills to make plays on the ball. His work in the middle of the field was key towards his team advancing and becoming the tournament champs. Turner did well at slowing down running backs or receivers trying to work in space and the middle of the field. Watching this Brentwood linebacker in person was my first time seeing him work but you can bet I will be keeping tabs on Turner moving forward.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1643690' first='Corey' last='Jennifer'] - Siegel (Mid-TN Wolfpack Blue)   - Last weekend at the #PRZTN 7v7 Tournament was a coming out party for this Murfreesboro area defensive back as Jennifer locked down his side of the field on a consistent basis for his Wolfpack team. The Stars senior defensive back did a good job of keeping his man to the outside, near the sidelines then using his length and speed to stay on path and either force the quarterback to throw elsewhere or knock down the pass. Jennifer is a physically gifted young man that looks the part of a college guy that could play multiple secondary positions on the next level, including potentially cover corner. He is under the radar now but that may change as we get into college camp season.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='851938' first='Cameron' last='Wade'] - East Nashville (NPA)   - Wade is considered a receiver prospect for the college game but his work on defense at the #PRZTN Tournament was exceptional, showing that this East Nashville senior could develop in the secondary if given the opportunity to do so. What stood out the most about his work last weekend was his agile lower base, quick feet and speed that allowed Wade to stay on path with his receiver. This Mid-Tennessee product has the athleticism and look of a potential college cornerback but even with his strong defensive work, I still like Wade more on offense where his speed can be a game changer. He did however display his versatility and the upside to play defense, if called to do so.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/IMG_5760.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1645122" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) Kajeris Hill - Marion (AR) - (870 Elite)   - One of the best defensive performances from last weekend's #PRZTN 7v7 Tournament came from this Arkansas native that pretty much locked down his side of the field, providing his team a steady presence on the outside. Hill did a great job of reading the pass and breaking on the ball quickly. He showed the ability to handle press man due to his physicality and agile lower base. Hill is a playmaker on the back end that produced multiple picks and several pass breakups throughout both days of work. This senior defender also brings nice size to the field, so he certainly has the look needed to contend on the next level. It was an outstanding performance for Hill and one that certainly showed upside for the college game.    - - - - -    ‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='378839' first='Garyon' last='Hobbs'] (Playmakers Elite)   - Hobbs is one guy that makes both our top offensive and defensive performers list after a stellar two-way performance at the #PRZTN 7v7 Tournament. The moment Hobbs walks onto the field, he immediately looks the part. His athleticism flashed on multiple occasions from the secondary, showing off nice reactionary skills along with range and closing speed. This Bluegrass State defender looks like a future safety or star/nickel performer on the next level. Hobbs is someone that can work in coverage but also lay some hits stopping the run. He recently picked up an offer from Notre Dame and I can see why, so expect to hear more and more about this talented defender over the next two years.    - - - - -    ‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1596532' first='Elijah' last='Burns-Crump'] - Trinity (Ky) - (Indy Select)   - Standing roughly 6'2 180 pounds, this Bluegrass State defensive back had an impressive weekend at the #PRZTN 7v7 Tournament where he displayed excellent instincts and the ability to make big plays from the secondary. Burns-Crump is a talented young man that has the physical tools and traits to make his way into the college game one day. His work in Smyrna last weekend showed that potential. Burns-Crump did a nice job of reading and reacting quickly on the pass while also showing the range to chase down the ball. He will need to continue hitting the weight room to fill out his frame but the overall tools are there for college coaches to get involved with his recruitment sooner than later.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/ebcamp.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1645123" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (DB) Turner Webber - Brentwood (Bruins 27 Gold)   - The Bruins Gold had one of the better secondaries I saw last weekend at the #PRZTN Tournament with Webber possibly being their top performer. This rising junior defensive back spent most of his time taking care of business on the outside at cornerback where he did a good job of using his instincts and football intelligence to make plays on the ball. He went up against some athletic wideouts and handled his business quite well. Webber is a smart and savvy young man that plays his keys well. I do think his body and game play fits best back at safety in college but his ability to play on the outside showed off his value and versatility.    - - - - -    ‘28 (DB) De'Aries Holland - Whites Creek (NPA)   - A young standout performer for me last weekend at the Music City Mayhem was this Nashville area defensive back that displayed excellent coverage and the ability to play on the outside. Holland is an athletic guy that moves very well, showing quick feet and reactionary skills that would fit well at cornerback but his overall size right now may suit him better at nickel or free safety. It's still early in the process as well for Holland where I could see him developing at slot receiver as well. His work however on defense did show potential for the secondary, so it will be interesting to see how Holland develops and grows over the coming years.    - - - - -    Others of Note …..    (LB) Markel Lansden - Lafayette (Ga), ‘28 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1639631' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] - MTCS, (DB) Tairiq Okocha - Lawrence Cent. (IN), (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1138121' first='Kyrie' last='Gainor'] - Oakland, ‘27 (DB) Jaylen Waller - Riverdale   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/IMG_5783.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1645124" style="width:300px;height:auto" /></figure>