Fall Season Breakthrough Senior Prospects (Defense)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have plenty of available talent on the defensive side of the ball from our #TN2026 recruiting class that I feel remains under the radar but appears poised for a potential breakout senior year, including these ten prospects along with several others. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The recruiting process for the #TN2026 class is about 70 percent done but time is left for uncommitted prospects to find a spot on the next level, including the Power Four and D1 playing stage. These players are the ones that we here at Prep Redzone Tennessee believe have pushed their stocks higher this off-season and enhanced their games in the right direction towards earning a college spot. Look for these players to potentially have a breakout senior year that may open some eyes and turn some heads.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1641926' first='Amaree' last='Williamson'] </strong>- Cookeville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's hard to find nose tackles that bring a nice combination of athleticism and power to the football field but that's what you find when you look into Williamson. The Cavaliers senior big man has some natural strength that opposing offensive linemen have a hard time dealing with but Williamson also shows the ability to shed blocks and chase down the ball as well. His powerful hands help the cause too. At this point in his recruitment, Williamson has only received interest or offers from D2 level schools but he's a definite FCS level guy that can get there with a strong early start to his senior season. If he can show improved agility, quickness off the snap, D1 schools might start sneaking around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1622588' first='Porter' last='Ragle'] </strong>- MBA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ragle jumped on the scene late for me during the scouting process but after looking deeper into this Nashville area defensive end along with following his summer camp work, I can see him rising up our rankings during the next update. The Big Red defensive prospect had a solid junior season but I can see another level with Ragle that should be ready to be seen this Fall. He does good work getting low and bending around the edge towards the quarterback. Ragle is a solid athlete that plays with more max effort compared to raw athleticism but he gets the job done. His work this summer earned him new FCS offers but I think he can add many more with a potential breakout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1620473' first='Jonas' last='Jimerson'] </strong>- Houston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Still in developmental mode but dripping with college potential, Jimerson is a potential breakout star this coming Fall season as he brings the athletic tools and traits to the gridiron that translates well to the next level. Last season was his first full year playing off the edge and Jimerson performed, displaying the length, burst off the ball and closing speed needed to eventually become an outstanding college pass rusher. The Mustangs senior has landed a few offers, including taking an official visit to Jacksonville St. but I could see his stock soaring after showing early this season improvement in several areas. Keep eyes out on this Memphis area product that might play his way into D1 status before the season is over.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1707778,"width":"467px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jjimerson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1707778" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='402538' first='Ethan' last='Hill'] </strong>- Powell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A change of scenery could be what this East Tennessee pass rusher needed to put a brighter spotlight around his game. Moving to Powell, Hill should be a big leader with the Panthers and the team's most productive defensive player. This guy can be a game wrecker. Hill has one of the best motors in the state with a nose for finding the quarterback. The only thing holding his recruitment back is his height. Hill stands only about 6'0 but he makes up for it with his bend, length and motor towards the ball. I do think somewhere down the road, Hill can play D1 ball but may need the FCS level first to get there. Look for him to potentially have a big senior year where he threatens to have double digit sacks by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1588093' first='Jesse' last='Zachary'] </strong>- Anderson Co.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Mavericks were very active in the transfer game this off-season with Zachary being one of the better pickups. This East Tennessee pass rusher has been playing on the low level of high school football for the past several years but now gets a shot at showing off his upside with a well known program. Zachary shows some of the best raw pass rushing abilities I've seen throughout this scouting process. He gets off the snap well, shows outstanding bend while also having the speed to close fast on the quarterback. He has done a good job this off-season at adding more speed while framing his body more. I definitely think this edge rusher is a FCS level prospect but needed a bigger stage to show off what he can do and I believe Zachary will show that and more during the upcoming 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='402569' first='Zach' last='Gilbert'] - </strong>Boyd Buchanan&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If Gilbert didn't have to miss almost most of his junior season due to injury, he may already be committed but he remains available headed into the 2025 season and one of the better defensive prospects left on our in-state recruiting board. This is a versatile linebacker that has the skill set to either work off the edge or play the middle. Gilbert has done a good job of building his body and putting together a physical look during his down time in the off-season but also shown in camps this summer that he is back and ready to make his mark on the 2025 season. I do believe the Bucs linebacker is a D1 potential guy but must show that he is fully healthy while increasing his game to get there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1658747,"width":"258px","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/zgilbert.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1658747" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1646596' first='Chris' last='Moore'] </strong>- Bartlett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Over the past several months, things have been quiet for Moore but if all goes according to plan, he should be a name several will know about by the end of the 2025 football year. This guy is a heat seeking missile that gets to the ball fast and finishes with controlled violence. Looking through all the senior linebackers, the Panthers defender showed some of the best foot quickness among all the seniors. He is well built too, so Moore brings a physical, fast combo to the field that you see on the D1 playing stage. Moore was able to get on the field last year and show glimpses of his upside but I feel his best is yet to come this Fall season. There is a lot of potential within this guy, so keep ears open towards his name over the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='853131' first='Spencer' last='Makuch'] - </strong>Bradley Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the more underrated prospects we have available from the #TN2026 class is this East Tennessee safety that I could see playing on the Power Four playing stage one day. Yes I said that correctly. Makuch is legit and someone that college coaches are missing the beat on right now. What makes the Bears safety stand out is his size, instincts and ability to run. Once Makuch recognizes the play, he turns on the burners and breaks towards the ball quickly. More times than not, the Bears defender either breaks up the pass or intercepts the ball. The move over to Bradley Central for his senior should help his cause too and hopefully push his stock forward where FCS, maybe D1 schools start to get involved with this under the radar ball hawk.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1218539' first='Elom' last='Ametitovi'] - </strong>Webb School&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sporting great size with length and the ability to handle either safety position, Ametitovi heads into the 2025 season still looking for a college home but hopefully after a big senior year, he will find it. The spotlight could be brighter on Ametitovi this Fall with several high caliber guys leaving Webb School for greener pastures. This 6 '2 defensive back should have every opportunity to be a leader, a standout performer for his Feet defense this year that can play close to the line versus the run with his biggest money being made as a centerfielding ball hawk. He has done good work this off-season at getting faster and enhancing his football intelligence. That improvement should show up this season where I believe Ametitovi can play his way into FCS, possible D1 status by the end of the football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1704469' first='Troyce' last='Grimsley'] </strong>- Fairley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Many people across the state or the recruiting landscape may not know too much about this Memphis area prospect but Grimsley can play and possibly work his way into D1 status by the end of the season. The Bulldogs senior defensive back claimed an offer from Southern Miss in the off-season but I'm unsure if that's a committable offer at this time but it should be. When you turn on his film, what you see is an athletic guy that breaks on the ball fast while also providing physicality against the run. Grimsley has enough athleticism to where he could possibly play cover corner in college but I personally like his upside best as a field safety. Players on the 2A level don't receive a whole lot of attention but coaches need to look deeper into Grimsley because the guy can play and I feel his best football days are ahead of him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to Follow …..</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='981349' first='Ethan' last='Harris'] </strong>- Green Hill, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633934' first='Haiden' last='Cox'] </strong>- Science Hill, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704958' first='Jevon' last='Carter'] </strong>- East Nashville, <strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] </strong>- McCallie, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1246806' first='Jayden' last='Majors'] </strong>- Collierville, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667877' first='Jaydon' last='Dockery'] </strong>- Germantown, <strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1704476' first='Andre' last='Small'] </strong>- Union City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1707796,"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/3/2025/07/tgrimsley.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1707796" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->