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Small Town Hidden Gems (Defensive Prospects)

Small Town Hidden Gems (Defensive Prospects)
Chris Smith
Chris Smith April 18, 2025 @ 12:08 PM
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In this article:

Ty Beard
Ty Beard 6'0" | 172 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Tyreke Hutch
Tyreke Hutch 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Khadon Piphus
Khadon Piphus 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Cayden Talley
Cayden Talley 6'1" | 270 lbs | DL | 2026
TN
Ryan Burney
Ryan Burney 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Mikhel Wilkes
Mikhel Wilkes 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Ian Grizzell
Ian Grizzell 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL/OL | 2026
TN
Jayden Williams
Jayden Williams 6'4" | 195 lbs | LB/EDGE | 2026
TN
Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith ATH/LB/LB | 2029
TN
Reece Adams
Reece Adams 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB | 2026
TN
Jysen Grant
Jysen Grant 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL | 2026
TN
Drew Ray
Drew Ray 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB | 2026
TN
Jayden Jennings
Jayden Jennings 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB | 2026
TN
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB | 2026
TN
Jaqwan Ellison
Jaqwan Ellison 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL | 2026
TN
<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scouting future college talent is a science. You have to look at everybody available, including the guys who play at small classification schools. These prospects below may come from small towns but they show potential on film to make it into the college game and become an eventual starter one day! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1275120' first='Jysen' last='Grant'] - Dyersburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This West Tennessee defensive end has been mentioned before in one of our pieces and here he is yet again due to his upside to excel on the college stage one day. Coming from a strong program in Dyersburg but a small town area that doesn't put too many guys into the college ranks, Grant has the potential to get there because of his athleticism and size along with his ability to get after the quarterback. This is an athletic guy that still has room to grow and develop his game over the coming years with his best football days ahead of him. The Trojans senior is coming off a season ending injury but if he returns fully healthy this Fall, look out for Grant to be a breakout star that could play his way on the FCS, possibly the D1 radar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1547372' first='Harrison' last='Smith'] - Sequatchie Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A multi-year starter for his Indians defense, Smith has been a steady performer throughout his high school career but has yet to break through on the recruiting scene. This small town standout has been receiving some recruiting attention however, with interest coming from several FCS programs that may soon pull the trigger on an offer. What you like about this Chattanooga area performer is his motor, his physicality and his technique sound game play. Smith is a tremendous competitor that shows deceptive speed around the edge along with some excellent hard work. The Indians senior is not a speed rusher but he is a smart rusher that understands how to use moves to get around the tackle then use that motor to chase down the quarterback. Camp season will be big for Smith and if he performs well, I could see his stock begin to rise.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1298983,"width":"314px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/115-Harrison-Smith.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298983" style="width:314px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1582359' first='Ian' last='Grizzell'] - Grundy Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sporting great size (6'5 260) with long arms and a frame that can pack on more weight, Grizzell is a small town prospect that looks the part of a future college guy with good upside but has yet to be seen by next level coaching. Part of being under the radar is the fact that Grizzell comes from a program that hasn't put too many prospects into the college ranks plus the competition he faces isn't that strong. This is an intriguing talent however due to his physical abilities and traits along with what he could become over time. Grizzell is a traditional defensive end prospect that does good work setting the edge versus the run while displaying the occasional pass rush. He has the body/frame to push on more weight and potentially move inside and rush up-field from the 3-tech position. Grizzell sits under the eightball right now but has a chance to get into the college ranks with a strong camp season and a breakthrough senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='284145' first='Jaqwan' last='Ellison'] - Dresden</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Tigers have a stud on the defensive line to build around this season in Ellison that brings an active motor to the trenches and a pass rush that gives opposing offensive line problems. He is undersized (6'1 290) but more than makes up for it with his relentless pursuit into the backfield and deceptive athleticism. Ellison competes hard. You don't have to worry about this guy bringing effort because the Tigers senior loves the game of football and embraces each snap he is on the field for. Coming from a small town area, Ellison has to work extra hard to generate college interest with this summer in camps being a key moment in his recruiting process. Sitting in the transfer portal era, you never know where prospects can land in the college but Ellison may have to sift through the D2, NAIA levels before he gets the chance to play higher on the pecking order.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1554216' first='Jayden' last='Williams'] - Chester Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Athletic with great size and length, Williams is a true small town hidden gem that many may not know about right now but that could possibly change with a good camp season and a strong senior year. The immediate thing you like about the Eagles senior when turning on his film is his physical traits. Williams stands 6 '4 190 plus pounds with a wide radius and a frame that can pack on a lot of weight. He is also a good athlete that brings versatility to the field as Williams could develop into an edge rusher or possibly work in the middle. I personally like him best off the edge where the Eagles backer can stretch out the run game or use his speed to harass quarterbacks. This is a long term payoff prospect as Williams is still raw and in need of development but I can definitely see the upside within the Eagles edge linebacker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103033' first='Jayden' last='Jennings'] - Peabody</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A fierce tackler that plays a physical brand of football, Jennings is a talented young man that has played a lot of snaps for his Golden Tide team and heads into his senior year with a big opportunity to boost his stock towards becoming an eventual college ball player. Part of the reason Jennings has yet to see his recruitment take-off is probably due to him coming from a small town, small classification team but trust me, this guy can play! He is an excellent run stuffer from his middle linebacker positions that diagnoses the play well then attacks the ball without hesitation. The Golden Tide defender competes with an active motor and strong instincts. Jennings can run too. He is a bit undersized (6'0 200 lbs) but Jennings plays much bigger with the type of mentality you love to have working at middle backer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1659316,"width":"251px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/jayjennings.webp?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1659316" style="width:251px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] - Clay Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Adams name is quite strong within the Clay County area but from a recruiting standpoint, this Mid-Tennessee linebacker sits way under the radar and needs a strong showing this summer and fall to get himself onto the collegiate playing stage. What I like about this small town hidden gem is his aggressive nature, his feisty game play and instincts towards finding the ball. Adams does some good work versus the run where he diagnoses the play well then attacks the ball without hesitation and with the utmost intensity. This is a violent attacker that plays well through physicality. He shows deceptive speed as well that can certainly improve further with continued maturity and work. It will be an uphill battle for this small town standout to reach the collegiate level but I think Adams can do it, especially if his Bulldogs team competes for titles this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1650784' first='Ty' last='Beard'] - Covington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Playing for one of the better small town programs in the West Tennessee region, Beard is the Chargers top college prospect that has great size, length and the upside to eventually be recruited at some point by some D1 schools. A few have already shown interest but Beard can boost his stock further with great showings this summer in camps and a breakout senior year for his Covington squad. Even though this is a small town standout, Beard is a definite college prospect that brings a lot of upside to the field. This guy is athletic with range that fits well at either boundary or field safety while also providing skills that would work well on special teams. I think if he can add a few more pounds and enhance his speed, Beard could work his way into potential D1 status.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1648058' first='Khadon' last='Piphus'] - Halls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a breakthrough junior season where he produced 55 tackles and a classification leading 8 interceptions, Piphus is a gamechanger from the secondary that simply has a nose for the ball and that's a trait that translates well to the college game. The Tigers senior defender shows on film excellent ball skills and instincts along with deceptive speed and natural athletic abilities. One trait besides coming from a small town program that may be holding college coaches back is his size. Piphus stands around 5 '9 and only 160 pounds, so he doesn't have the ideal size to play on the big stage of college ball but he makes up for it by simply being a “football player”. I think his upside fits best at nickel or possibly boundary safety. Piphus could also become a key piece on special teams as well. Camp season and his senior year will be big for this guy and his future in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1603315,"width":"305px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/kpiphus.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1603315" style="width:305px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(NB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1588112' first='Mikhel' last='Wilkes'] - Peabody</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Golden Tide may end up having one of the better defenses from the West TN region this Fall with Jennings making tackles and this 6 '0 defensive back playing ball hawk on the back end. Wilkes is a hard hitting, instinctive safety prospect that flashes on film the abilities to carve out a role on the next level due to his instincts, physicality and size. College coaches may not be paying a ton of attention towards Wilkes at the moment but that could change after some strong camp work this summer and an excellent senior campaign. He will need to get himself out there this summer to prove his worth and show off some skills that could impress collegiate coaches. Wilkes can play and I like how he goes about his business when on the field. He does need to increase his agility and speed but tools are there to be developed further and find a role somewhere on the college level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five Other Small Town Standouts: (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635121' first='Cayden' last='Talley']</strong> - Chester Co., (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103499' first='Drew' last='Ray']</strong> - Lewis Co., (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1648079' first='Tyreke' last='Hutch']</strong> - Huntingdon, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635017' first='Ryan' last='Burney']</strong> - Hixson, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith']</strong> - Mt. Pleasant</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598734,"width":"230px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/68-Jalen-Smith-rotated-e1736532707647.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1598734" style="width:230px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->

Scouting future college talent is a science. You have to look at everybody available, including the guys who play at small classification schools. These prospects below may come from small towns but they show potential on film to make it into the college game and become an eventual starter one day!

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