Scouting The State (Scrimmage Recap)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It wasn't for real but we got our first taste of Tennessee High School football last week with just about every team in the state competing in scrimmages. We have been looking at film non-stop to breakdown some of the talent we saw throughout last week's action and how players look headed into the 2025 season. </h2>     Our first week of high school scrimmages from across the Volunteer State took place over the weekend, which provided me with plenty of prospect clips to evaluate and scout. It's a long road ahead of evaluating talent but I definitely received a good look at several prospects from the scrimmages and how some players have progressed over the off-season months.    #TN2026 (Senior Prospects)   - I know it's still scrimmage season and the games played right now don't mean anything but Marshall Co. quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] was quite impressive last weekend in his team's contest against Fairview. The Tigers senior signal caller impressed me so much that I've already made up my mind that he will see a jump in his Prep Redzone Tennessee rankings during the next update. Thompson looks much improved in just about every area needed. He has increased his arm strength which shows quicker zip on his passes. Accuracy and timing look to remain on point. Thompson looks comfortable in the pocket with a mature, poised demeanor. I think if he can continue to add in more weight while still learning to read defenses, I could see Thompson spinning it on the FCS, maybe D1 playing stage one day.    - Ranked just outside our Top 200 prospects for the in-state senior class, Red Bank edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1612855' first='Eugene' last='Robinson, Jr'] could be a guy that boosts his stock significantly as his scrimmage clips were impressive, showing off enhanced burst and speed. Walker Valley O-linemen had a hard time keeping up front of this guy or getting hands on him. Standing nearly 6 '4 and 220 pounds, the Lions senior has the wanted size by collegiate coaches as well as the athletic upside to develop very well on the next level. If any indication from his first scrimmage, Robinson could be in-store for a breakout senior year where he becomes unblockable.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/geneRobinson_12/status/1951656260819902531 </div></figure>   - Even though the process has gone well for Page offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='402552' first='Jordan' last='Curll'], I feel like other scouts and Power Four college coaches are missing the beat on this Mid-Tennessee talent. After watching highlights from his first scrimmage against Stewarts Creek, Curll has elite written all over him with his best football days ahead of him. When you see his scrimmage clips, you see a highly athletic pass blocker that moves exceptionally well, consistently staying in front of his defender and keeping them at a distance with his arm length. Curll is currently committed to Western Ky and he's very happy with the Hilltoppers but he's too talented for bigger programs to remain dormant on him for too much longer. I don't say this much in my scouting but Curll has NFL potential due to his ability to handle the blindside.    - One of the biggest hidden gems we have in our senior class is Arlington linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1583134' first='Carson' last='Kelly'], who showed during his scrimmage last week that he has improved and could be ready for his best high school season yet. Inside the little action Kelly saw during the scrimmage, he was a definite standout that used his size, length and mobility to place himself consistently around the football. Kelly looks quicker, more sudden with his lower base. He also looks a tad bigger but still has plenty of room to grow further. Ranked just inside our Top 150 prospects, Kelly is someone that can play his way into FCS status by season's end due to his physical traits and upside for the next level.    - I have been watching and following along with Oak Ridge senior O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='866772' first='Elijah' last='Young'] for quite some time now and his scrimmage clips show a player that has definitely improved and may be ready for a breakout season. The Wildcats senior displayed excellent footwork, athletic lower base upside as well as attention to his technique, especially when slowing down the rush. What has been holding college coaches back from offering is his size. Young stands about 6'2 290 pounds, so he doesn't fit the ideal look but he's an ultra competitor that could handle all three interior O-line positions. Watching his recent scrimmage, Young looks poised for a big year and someone to keep on the radar as a late riser.    - Jumping onto my radar late in the spring, East Nashville senior [player_tooltip player_id='1704958' first='Jevon' last='Carter'] is someone I and college coaches need to pay attention to this Fall as I see a possible FCS, maybe D1 guy here that is still coming into his own. If his first scrimmage is any indication, Carter could be a force this Fall that opposing offensive linemen have a hard time blocking. Looking over his clips from last week, the first thing you notice is his athleticism and burst off the line. The Eagles senior showed a mature pass rush where he used his hands well while displaying nice lower body agility. His game and how he plays translates well to the college game, so it will be fun to watch how he performs this Fall and if college coaches start paying attention.    - Evaluating scrimmage clips last weekend, one guy who really stood out to me was Collierville defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1142036' first='Tristan' last='Plumlee']. The Dragons senior has been on my radar for a while now and I've always liked how he played but after watching his recent highlights, I see a guy that can sneak his way into the FCS level with a strong senior campaign. What stood out to me during Collierville's first scrimmage was how fast and rangy Plumlee looked. This guy is a good athlete that runs well, which is the reason why he plays cover corner for his Dragons defense. Plumlee has good size too (6'1) and length that I feel translates well to college at field safety. I'm very curious to see how this Memphis area prospect performs this season as I see a player with a lot of upside and the game that could flourish on the next level.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wendellsjr_/status/1951426949634478402 </div></figure>   - - - - -    #TN2027 (Junior Prospects)   - I was only able to see brief clips on junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] but the little bit I saw, I witnessed outstanding work, including his ability to catch the ball deep down field. This GCA ball carrier might be the best receiving back we have coming out of our junior class. Thomas is a natural athlete with some serious juice in his lower base along with outstanding ball skills. The Rams junior is such an athlete that you could use him out of the slot if needed. He could also be one of the fastest in the state at the running back position as well. Thomas had a monster sophomore season but I think he could produce even more this Fall and officially turn himself into a Power Four level prospect.    - One of the best scrimmage matchups from last week was Alcoa hosting McCallie. You had tons of talent all over the field but one guy who stood out among others was junior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean']. This East Tennessee junior made a tremendous catch in the end zone where he used his vertical to go up and haul in the pass while doing so among physical contact. Dean is already ranked as a Top 40 prospect for the #TN2027 class but continued play like last weekend, the Tornadoes receiver could jump into the Top 25. I'm expecting a big year out of Dean where he establishes himself as one of the best college prospects coming out of the East Tennessee region.    - Making the transition this off-season to offensive tackle, Brentwood junior [player_tooltip player_id='1286232' first='Kyle' last='Nabrotzky'] has begun to take to the new position well and it shows within his recent scrimmage clips. The Bruins junior big man looks the part of a college guy and he has the athleticism to eventually be possibly recruited by Power Four programs. What he showed during last week's scrimmage was the ability to get out of his stance fast, square up well with his opponent and stay in front through the duration of the play. You can tell he is still learning how to play the position but you can also see the upside. This guy is a worker, so you can bet he will continue to learn and develop his craft over the coming months and potentially turn himself into one of the better tackle prospects coming out of our #TN2027 class.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KyleNabrotzky/status/1951677742014943235 </div></figure>   - Another receiver that had a good debut in their opening scrimmage last week was DeKalb Co. junior [player_tooltip player_id='1617382' first='Ryan' last='Lyons']. The Tigers junior pass catcher only caught two passes but he turned both into touchdowns. Both receptions were short passes but due to Lyons athleticism and speed, he was able to take the short gains and turn them into scores. Ranked inside our Top 100 prospects for the #TN2027 class, Lyons is a highly talented young man that still has his best football days ahead of him. He doesn't have a lot of college interest at the moment but I feel that will change after the coming season where Lyons could be in-store for breakout season.    - I have been watching a lot of scrimmage clips over the past few days and one of the more impressive performances that caught my eye was the play of Green Hill junior [player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright']. The Hawks running back stands only 5 '9 but he plays much bigger along with a fearless running style that I'm sure college coaches would enjoy working with. Cartwright displays a variety of skills in his scrimmage clips from balance to a strong lower base, excellent footwork and some of the best vision I've seen from our junior running back class. I'm kind of bullish on this Mid-Tennessee talent that I feel could be in the mix for Mr. Football this Fall with a breakout junior year.    - Memphis Central could have a top tier defense from the West Tennessee region with a part of those efforts coming from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1370856' first='Landon' last='James']. This 6'2 230 pound linebacker has gotten bigger as you can see in last week's scrimmage. The Warriors defender worked mainly on the inside but I have him scouted at edge for the next level. What he is showing right now is someone that provides versatility at linebacker. I do think he eventually becomes a full time edge rusher as his body will dictate that but for James to stay in the middle, he must continue working on his lower half explosion and speed. I will be following along this Fall to see how James performs because I see college life in his future.    - - - - -    #TN2029 (Freshman Prospects)   - Better get to know J.D. Gillum because you will be hearing his name a lot of the next four years. His first snaps on the high school level took place over the weekend where Gillum was very impressive during the Mavericks scrimmage game against Knox. Halls. He displayed accuracy, timing, mobility in the pocket and a great feel for the game. This is a highly mature young man for being only a freshman that shows the ability to run an offense with precision. Gillum of course has much to learn and continue improving as he gets older but he already shows signs of being the kind of quarterback that can put a team on their back and lead them to state championships.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JDGillum22/status/1951999831175577625 </div></figure>