Uncovering College Level Talent (Offense)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plenty of talent goes unknown throughout the recruiting process but has the capabilities of contributing in big ways on the college stage. These prospects below are some guys that I feel have those abilities but for one reason or another, they sit under the radar waiting for their names to be called.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1312859' first='Maddox' last='Giel'] - MUS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sitting inside a strong crop of senior quarterbacks for the #TN2026 class, Giel currently lays under the radar but has some college talent that will be on full display this coming Fall football season. The Owls signal caller has yet to be “the guy” under center at MUS but his time is now and I think Giel could have a sensational senior year that places him into the college ranks. This guy has clean mechanics along with solid arm strength and the calm demeanor needed to keep his teammates poised and focused on the objective at hand. His ascension should begin this summer in camps where Giel has a chance to impress and build his stock. I don't know if Giel can make it to the D1 level right now but I wouldn't be surprised if he works his way into an eventual FCS opportunity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MaddoxGiel/status/1860476658647790010"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaddoxGiel/status/1860476658647790010 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402542' first='Gage' last='Porter'] - Knox. Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Much like the quarterback above, Porter has yet to be the main guy behind center at Knox. Webb but all signs point to him leading the way this Fall and if he performs like I think he can, this Knoxville area senior can play his way into the college ranks. Sporting good size along with clean mechanics, Porter has the physical abilities many college coaches would enjoy developing and working with but we have yet to see those skills in full action. I will be interested to see how he performs during college camps this summer and of course follow along throughout the season because Porter has some translatable college talents. Getting to the FCS level is possible for Porter. He just needs to keep working on his game and displaying upside in the Fall and I think he can get there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] - South Pittsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Starring on both sides of the ball for his Pirates team, Buckner is scouted by Prep Redzone Tennessee as a college running back and that's due to his natural athletic abilities, speed and vision that I believe would work wonders on the collegiate gridiron. This is a one cut and go ball carrier that shows excellent vision as well as a strong lower base that can work through tacklers. Buckner is a tough minded young man that doesn't shy away from contact but can also run past defenders due to his speed. I could see a scenario where Buckner is recruited and excels on defense at safety but in my scouting eyes, I see his future over on offense as a big play running back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1651875,"width":"287px","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/jbuckner2.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1651875" style="width:287px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks'] - Kirkwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- At the time of writing this, Claybrooks picked up his first college offer from Grambling State and I believe they won't be the last. I could see where this Clarksville area running back lands several new offers over the coming months with a lot of that due to his enhanced speed. Claybrooks is a physical ball carrier that had a breakthrough junior season last year but might not have shown the speed needed to entice college coaches. He has been working extra hard this off-season to increase his speed and overall athleticism. It looks like it's paying off. The Cobras senior is a talented prospect that might have his best football days ahead of him and could be on the verge of bursting through that ceiling towards seeing his recruitment take-off.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='491463' first='Aiden' last='Perry'] - Science Hill&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the more hidden gems we have from our #TN026 class is this East Tennessee running back that shows on film upside to one day play his way into the D1 ranks. Yes, I believe Perry is that good and I think he could be one of the biggest breakout stars from the coming Fall football season. What stands out about Perry is his speed. This guy may be one of the fastest ball carriers we have coming out of our senior class. His ability to hit the open field quickly then separate from his defenders is outstanding and skills that translate well to the college game. Perry is also a good receiver, so his value is high and someone that can do a variety of things on offense. Keep ears out on this running back because I think Perry is an ultra talented offensive talent that has yet to be found.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1630037' first='JaColby' last='Cooper'] - Alcoa&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Cooper had a strong debut season for his Tornadoes team last Fall but as we sit through these off-season months, he has yet to see his recruitment take-off, however he has the profile to see things turn around sooner than later. Sporting good size, length and the ability to make tough catches, the Tornadoes wideout is a big play threat waiting to happen as Cooper can take short passes into long gains or beat his defender deep due to his speed. This is a true outside receiver that works well through physicality while also having the upside to block in the run game. Coming from a run based offense, Cooper will need to show out this summer in camps and if he does, watch his recruitment surge with D1 schools potentially sniffing around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/alcoafootball/status/1851762861325860941","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/alcoafootball/status/1851762861325860941 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1277547' first='Woodrow' last='Biggs'] - Westwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming out of a small level football program, many may not know too much about this Memphis area wideout but Biggs can play and I think he brings a variety of skills to the playing field that can be developed much further on the college stage. What allows this guy a shot at the next level is his natural athletic abilities, his speed and his route running. Biggs is a savvy pass catcher that knows how to run the route tree and get open on a consistent basis. He is also a tough catch maker that has no problem playing through physicality. His game fits best working out of the slot where his speed can be an issue for defenders. He will need a strong camp season and a breakout senior year to earn those elusive offers but I think Biggs has the capabilities of doing so.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1626178' first='Jackson' last='Neumann'] - MBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is a long term, big payoff prospect in Neumann that didn't see a lot of balls come his way last year but if you look over his junior film, what you see is a guy that has the size and athletic skill set to find a role on the next level. Standing about 6'4 210 pounds, this Big Red tight end has the look of a college guy and the frame to pack on more weight over the coming years. He is also a good athlete that runs well while sporting a wide radius. The Big Red have a variety of pass catchers to throw out on the field, so it will be interesting if Neumann takes on a bigger role this Fall. If he does, look for a breakout prospect here that has a chance to play his way into a college opportunity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='491438' first='Kade' last='Carroll'] - Lewis Co.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another small town standout is this two-way prospect that is starting to reach another level with his game at tight end, which could allow him a shot in college, maybe even the FCS. Carroll brings good size to the field (6'4 225) along with athleticism and the ability to run after the catch but also the upside to develop nicely as an in-line blocker. This is a tenacious ball player that has no problem being physical. What keeps him under the radar is the fact that Carroll comes from a small town here in Tennessee but is also a tad raw at tight end. He has more work to accomplish to become the kind of prospect I think he can but the talent and tools are definitely there to potentially see an increase with his recruitment before he is all signed up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":837396,"width":"281px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/39-Kade-Carroll-.jpg?w=992" alt="" class="wp-image-837396" style="width:281px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1566272' first='Langston' last='Reed'] - Collierville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If this Memphis area offensive lineman was two to three inches taller, you would be seeing more interest for Reed because he may be one of the better athletes at his position for the #TN2026 class. The Dragons senior big man handles tackle for his team, which speaks towards his athleticism. Reed has an agile lower base that allows him to stay in front of his defender while also having enough strength to keep them in-check. His build and the way he performs speaks towards Reed developing nicely on the interior at either guard or center. He does need to pack on more weight to make himself more appealing towards college coaches. I like the upside here however as I could see Reed become a multi year starter and potential All-Conference selection.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five Others to Know: (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315648' first='Damarcus' last='Strickland'] </strong>- Dickson Co., (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853119' first='Jaedyn' last='Harris'] </strong>- Knox. Central, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422957' first='Casen' last='Jenkins'] </strong>- Knox. Catholic, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865687' first='Nick' last='Williams'] </strong>- Bartlett, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606272' first='LaBrian' last='Shelbourne'] </strong>- Riverdale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1418934,"width":"306px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/casjenkins.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1418934" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->