#PRZTN Spring Showcase Preview (Defense)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The defenders set to embark on Nashville area tomorrow appears to be heavy up front with D-linemen and linebackers but don't sleep on the defensive backs to steal the show. This is our preview on who to check out on defense Saturday at the Prep Redzone TN Showcase. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Redzone Showcase tour makes a stop in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday afternoon with a large contingent of prospects set to be on hand, including a large group of defensive prospects that have a chance to develop themselves further while boosting their stock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we provide a brief preview on what to expect this weekend and the guys who will be in attendance that you need to know about (It's a talented crop of offensive performers expected on Saturday with some prospects sporting D1 abilities).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Diving into the big men from the defensive trenches, it appears we will have a solid group ready to compete on Saturday with our junior class bringing the star power. Before we get to the underclassmen, we have a few senior D-linemen to mention first.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Possibly the top senior headed to Nashville this weekend is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820869' first='Jake' last='Coffey']</strong>. A regular competitor at our #PRZTN Showcases, the Carter D-lineman is an active guy that provides a pass rush from the interior along with a frame that can pack on more weight. Coffey is coming off a very productive junior year but has yet to break through with offers. Maybe a strong performance this weekend could help his cause.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Co. senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405051' first='Hunter' last='Broyles'] </strong>is an active guy from the D-line that brings versatility up front. He is a good athlete that plays with a high motor, showing pass rushing upside that could work on the edge or as a 3-tech. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326049' first='Jarmarian' last='Kinnie'] </strong>from MTCS and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666021' first='Jesse' last='Eaton'] </strong>from Clarksville Academy are two under the radar talents that will be looking to make a name for themselves with strong camp performances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667196,"width":"212px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/hbroyles.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1667196" style="width:212px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where the talent from the D-line resides in this camp will be with the junior class. We have a stud headed over to Father Ryan in Franklin Road Academy defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal']</strong>. The 6 '2 big man plays with a nice combination of athleticism and power, showing high potential as a pass rushing 3-tech within the college ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon Co. junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup'], </strong>Knox. Halls junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629881' first='Travis' last='Brasfield'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584096' first='Colby' last='Cates'] </strong>from Lewis Co. are three pass rushers that have a good feel for consistently playing in the opponent's backfield. Walkup is a budding star that has landed a few college offers to this point but has the physical tools and upside to watch his stock soar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brasfield is coming off a productive junior season where he led his Red Devils team in sacks. He is certainly a prospect that I will have my eye on Saturday to see how he looks in person and how he moves throughout drill work. Cates is a familiar name to our showcase that will be looking to make a statement as a small town pass rusher that others should be paying attention to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667198,"width":"257px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/tbrasfield.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1667198" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebackers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some of the best overall talent expected at camp tomorrow comes from this positional group. Our current #1 ranked linebacker in the state will be on hand in Green Hill senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610497' first='Omeiza' last='Daniyan']</strong>. This 6'1 230 pound thumper is an impressive athlete on film that can do a variety of things from his position. It will be interesting to see how he runs tomorrow and moves throughout drill work as Daniyan shows on tape tremendous athletic upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ranking inside the senior Top Ten rankings for the linebackers, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402569' first='Zach' last='Gilbert'] </strong>from Boyd Buchanan and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1527611' first='Chase' last='Norman'] </strong>from Gibbs will both be in attendance and will be two guys most coaches and scouts will be paying attention to. These are two big and talented backers that have versatile skill sets that can work the edge, rush the passer or play in open space.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking through the linebackers we will have in town Saturday, it's not the deepest position group. We do have a few underclassmen however to keep eyes on throughout camp in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903954' first='Kwadir' last='Fletcher'] </strong>(FRA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570553' first='Jayden' last='Shannon'] </strong>(Cannon Co.), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1027628' first='Jennaris' last='Henry'] </strong>(Alcoa) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] </strong>from Briarcrest Christian.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667201,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/jenhenry.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1667201" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fletcher is a two-way backer that could see some work this Fall at running back but for the next level, I like his upside best on defense where he can develop into a stout run stuffer. Shannon is a small guy but a max effort player with strong football intelligence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry and Kesner are two highly talented rising sophomores that bring different skill sets to the field. The Tornadoes backer is built like an edge rusher but is still growing into his body. He could potentially work the middle if needed. Kesner is a true middle backer that has a good athletic, lower base along with nice overall size and a frame that can continue adding more weight.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Backs&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the deepest, more talented position groups set for the #PRZTN Showcase this weekend are the defensive backs. There is a solid mix of veteran prospects to get track with along with a talented underclassmen group with some potential future stars. A few guys mentioned within our offensive preview could fit in this area as well like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326260' first='Brody' last='Rogers']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783176' first='Kari' last='Dixon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616602' first='Jacob' last='Jewell']</strong>, <strong>Amari Mitchell</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595026' first='Parker' last='Emerson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570535' first='Zayden' last='Williams']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming all the way from Northwest region of Tennessee is Covington safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650784' first='Ty' last='Beard']</strong>. Bringing a few FCS offers with him to town, the Chargers defender is a talented young man with good size and length along with flashes of D1 upside. If he performs and runs well at this camp, Beard could see his offer list expand.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1651100,"width":"277px","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/user-uploads/tybeard.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-1651100" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recently landing an offer from Eastern Ky, Centennial senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1640649' first='Malachi' last='Steele'] </strong>is a guy on the rise due to his explosive game play and breakaway speed. The Cougars defensive back is undersized with height but he competes much bigger. He handles corner for his high school defense but I like him best at nickel.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverdale safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1648128' first='Elijah' last='Reams'] </strong>is a hard hitting, athletic safety that plays well downhill while showing flashes of upside in pass coverage. Mt. Pleasant senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] </strong>is a regular attendee of our camps and has performed well each time. He will be looking to expand his stock by displaying agility and speed on the outside as a cover corner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle College senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1640997' first='Caleb' last='Odom'] </strong>is a versatile piece that could be utilized in several areas within the secondary. Looking beyond high school, Odom's best fit looks to be at nickel or boundary safety. Watching how he runs at our showcase will tell me a lot of where his exact fit will be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The underclassmen have a few guys that have my interest headed into camp. Two guys in particular are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658995' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] </strong>from James Lawson and Page rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646054' first='Quincy' last='Finley']</strong>. I've got to see both these a couple of times this off-season in 7v7 tournaments and both have performed well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is a 6'1 long armed defender that is dripping with potential. His size, length and natural athletic abilities speaks towards possibly handling cover corner on the next level. How he runs will show a lot towards that. Finley is a solid, all round defensive back that reads, reacts and runs very well. He is a high IQ guy that could handle several positions across the secondary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell junior <strong>Demarcus Huffine </strong>won our defensive MVP honor back in the Winter and he's returning this weekend to keep that award in his back pocket. Huffine is a versatile piece that still needs time to develop his body and pack on the weight but the tools are there to potentially become a nice nickel or safety prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two #TN2028 defensive backs I'm keeping my eyes on this weekend will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607226' first='Jaylen' last='Mays'] </strong>from East Nashville and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1187596' first='Christian' last='Gentry'] </strong>out of Gallatin. Both these guys show athletic tools and traits that translate well to the next level. There is much to develop for both Mays and Gentry and much to learn over the next few years but early on, I like what I see from these Mid-Tennessee prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1667202,"width":"227px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/kaidavis.jpg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-1667202" style="width:227px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->