Class 3A Sleeper College Prospects

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Everybody knows who the top players in the state are but how about some guys that may not be squarely on the college radar now but could by the end of the 2025 season? We got you covered here, starting with the prospects from the 3A level.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch closer to the 2025 season, we have prospects throughout this state that have already established themselves as college guys but there are others that have upside to reach the next level but somehow, sit under the radar for some reason or another. These players have a chance to push their stocks forward throughout the coming season and potentially get themselves on the map as legit college prospects.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606161' first='Taeshaune' last='Hamilton'] - Kingston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A power back with multiple years of starting experience, Hamilton is a prospect that doesn't hold a lot of interest at the moment but could boost his recruitment and status with a strong senior season. For the upcoming Fall football year, Hamilton is “the guy” for his Yellow Jackets, meaning a lot of his team's success will be on his shoulders. Kingston is lacking talent throughout the roster but this senior back is one guy that can take on a lot of carries and produce a lot of points and yards. That's due to his power running style and ability to get into the second level. If Hamilton has increased his agility and speed, producing more than a 1,000 yards this Fall is possible along with a possibility of reaching the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1630084' first='Cale' last='Hunt'] - White House-Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If you want to know about a running back that could break out for a big senior year while placing himself on the college map, Hunt could be your guy. Coming off a productive junior season, the Patriots ball carrier is poised for a strong year that could have him in the mix for Mr. Football. Looking at his film, Hunt is a balanced runner that has enough speed to get to the outside and enough power to run through the line of scrimmage. He also has the body style to pack on more size over time and push his game forward. Breaking through with a highly productive senior year could do wonders for his recruiting stock and force college coaches to look his way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1718624,"width":"220px","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/chunt.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1718624" style="width:220px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='1717940' first='Taiveon' last='Reed'] - Whites Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Out of everybody listed in this article, Reed might have the biggest upside of them all with a possibility of reaching the D1 level somewhere down the road. Standing 6 '5 280 pounds, the Cobras senior O-lineman has the look and size needed to compete on the collegiate gridiron as well as the athleticism to carve out a starting role. When you turn on his film, you see a potential tackle prospect due to his ability to move laterally and keep himself in front of his opponent. Reed is a strong dude too that does have room to pack on more weight. He needs to enhance his technique and football intelligence but the raw talents are in place for Reed to become a late riser and a prospect that could become a hot commodity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OG) Joe Bailey - Cascade</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming from a small town in Middle Tennessee, Bailey is on a few college radars but the interest isn't strong right now but that could change with a standout senior season. The Champions senior big man is a mauler with college size (6'5 315) and the skill set to potentially handle either guard spot on the next level. Bailey is a deceptive athlete that does need to improve in that area but his calling card is his physicality and ability to move men off their spot. His Champions team could be good this Fall, which means Bailey will be in position to perform in some important games. If he can develop his agility and athleticism further, Bailey has a shot at reaching the college game and eventually carving out a role, a possible starting spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1227868' first='Keyioun' last='McAllister'] - Stratford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Little is known on the recruiting circuit about this Nashville based defensive prospect but McAllister has a real shot at boosting his recruiting profile this Fall with a productive senior year as I can see him reaching the FCS level one day. The Spartans senior isn't the tallest but he has broad shoulders with good arm length that allows him to stack blockers then get around them towards the ball. He shows some nice bend on film and speed that can be developed further over time. McAllister also has a nice frame about them that should allow him to push on more weight down the road. I can see upside with this guy and how he could be unblockable this Fall but he must live up to it and if he does, playing college ball is possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1651781' first='LaMarkus' last='Grigsby'] - Camden Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If this Mid-Tennessee product played at a bigger program, Grigsby could already hold several offers in hand but as of now, recruiting interest is lacking but maybe that changes after the coming 2025 season. A powerful dude that moves well, the Lions defensive tackle is a load to handle up front and a tough guy to block due to his strength and deceptive athleticism. Grigsby is beefy enough to grow into a nose guard prospect or slide into the 3-tech role on occasions. He does need to work on his technique and overall explosion but Grigsby has the needed size to find a role on the collegiate gridiron and excel. This guy is definitely someone to follow through the season to see where his recruitment goes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1719005,"width":"439px","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/lgrigsby2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1719005" style="width:439px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1606259' first='Brandon' last='Mitchell'] - Wooddale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the better college prospects coming out of the 3A ranks this year is this Memphis area linebacker that has the look and size of a next level prospect but coaches have yet to show a lot of interest. Standing 6 '1 210 plus pounds, Mitchell is a true middle backer that shows the athleticism and physicality to work versus the run while also being able to play in coverage. He has been a starter on the Cardinals for multiple seasons now and could be in-store for his best season yet this Fall. If he can push his game further this year by showing more explosiveness and play recognition, Mitchell has the upside to get on the college radar. I think he can do it and if he sticks to the grind at whatever school he eventually signs with, the Cards senior linebacker has potential to maybe one day play on the FCS level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1576833' first='Keymond' last='Jones'] - Melrose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jones already sits inside our current Top 300 senior rankings but has yet to receive much college interest. This coming season could be the proving ground needed for the Golden Cats defensive back to boost his stock and finally get on college coaches radar. I like how this guy plays and his value for the college game. Jones is an athletic, versatile performer that could handle several roles within the secondary as well as provide strong value for special teams. He is a willing tackler that plays physical along with having ball hawk tendencies. Jones plays alongside a talented Melrose secondary but he's a standout player that can definitely take his recruitment to another level with a breakout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) Jakarious Reese - Giles Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Tall and long with a wide radius and excellent ball skills, Reese is a lightly known prospect coming out of the Southern Mid-Tennessee region that sports the look and potential of a future college guy. The Bobcats senior defensive back displays upside on film at playing cover corner on the next level but has the athleticism and frame to grow into a safety as well. Reese does a good job of using his athletic skill set and length to drape over receivers along with the speed to stay on path. He is lacking body weight at the moment and needs to pack on more size to become more appealing to college coaches but the raw talents are in place to take his recruitment to another level with a strong senior year .</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1671044' first='Nathan' last='Allen'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is one talent listed in this article that I can see jumping onto the FCS radar by the end of the 2025 season. Allen has the college size (6'2 195) needed to compete on the next level along with ball hawk skills and range to become a productive safety on the collegiate gridiron. Last year was a semi coming out party for the Highlanders defender where he produced at a high level but I think he's got more levels to him that should be developed well over the coming years. He will be a key leader on defense this year that will be expected to perform against the run while providing centerfield like skills on the back end. I like the tools and upside here with this East Tennessee talent that could definitely get onto the college radar this Fall with a standout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Others to Watch</strong>: (Ath) <strong>Jeremiah Parris</strong> - Sweetwater, (WR) <strong>Avery Ford</strong> - Tyner Acad., (S) <strong>Kyleec White</strong> - Camden Cent., (DE/Edge) <strong>Isaiah Thomas</strong> - Dyersburg, (OL) <strong>Jaxen Perkins</strong> - Dyersburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1790799,"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/3/2025/08/jakreese.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1790799" style="width:287px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->