Underclassmen Stock Watch (Week Five)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Before officially starting a new week of high school football here in Tennessee, let's finish up with last week's action by presenting you our latest edition on the top underclassmen performers. These guys pushed their games forward with stellar work on the field in "Week Five" and pushed their recruiting stocks further down the road. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] - Silverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jenne has been a steady performer this season for his Seahawks team with maybe his best game of the year taking place last week in his team's commanding victory over CAK. The Seahawks junior quarterback produced 350 yards passing with five touchdowns while also rushing for another score on the ground. Standing 6 '4 and nearly 200 pounds, Jenne has the college size coaches look for but he also can spit it like a next level guy as well. This Chattanooga area talent has a big arm with the ability to make all the throws. Jenne has shown enhanced arm strength this Fall along with better accuracy. This junior signal caller is already a Top 10 ranked guy for his position but I can see him rising up the charts with continued strong work through the current season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 [player_tooltip player_id='1909557' first='Lincoln' last='Wilson'] - Volunteer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Taking the reins as the starting quarterback this year as just a sophomore, Wilson has put forth a solid campaign thus far and shown upside that can be developed for the college game. The Falcons signal caller is coming off possibly his best game of the season where he threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 41-31 win over Seymour. Wilson has good height with a frame that can pack on more size and it will be needed as Wilson is lite in the britches at this current time. More strength is needed within his right arm as well. You can see on film the passing upside Wilson brings to the table and how good he can be in the next few years. More work is needed on the field and in the weight room for Wilson but I can see the potential and games like last week puts him on the right path towards gaining interest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1909583,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/linwilson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1909583" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1909553' first='Walker' last='Hobbs'] - Cheatham Co. Central&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Hobbs is a new name to my scouting desk this Fall but someone that has piqued my interest due to his balanced running style, vision and ability to find open creases in the defense. So far this 2025 season, Hobbs has been a major catalyst behind his team's 3-2 start and an offensive force that has been consistent week after week. Last Friday in the Cubs win over Innovation Academy, Hobbs ran for 158 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. His emergence in the Cubs backfield has been a needed addition on offense and a piece the coaching staff can build around over the next two years. Hobbs does need further development in several areas but I like how this guy runs and the projectability he brings for the college level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1857395' first='Axel' last='Yobo'] - McCallie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- New to the state of Tennessee, Yobo is making an impression so far this season and it's being done by way of his blocking but if you turn on the film, you see upside as a flex tight end. The first thing I like about this junior prospect is his team first attitude. When Yobo blocks, he does so with max effort and I love that. He bends very well, shows good hand placement then drives his man back. Looking beyond his blocking, I see potential as a stretch the field pass catcher. Yobo moves and runs well. He is an athletic guy that brings a versatile skill to the field that can line up all over the field. What I also see here is a technique sound, football intelligent young man that does the small details well. Yobo has room to grow as well with a frame that can certainly pack on additional size. This Blue Tornado junior is playing his role this Fall but look for his game to expand into the offseason and into his senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1159814' first='Antonio' last='Keefer'] - Southwind</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Keefer is on a heater right now after landing recent offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Ohio St. and when you turn on his recent film, you can see why college powerhouses are in pursuit. The Jaguars junior is a wide based blocker that moves people with ease while having the versatility to handle multiple positions up front. His best fit sits inside at guard where he can develop into a punishing run blocker that will also provide the occasional pass protection. Where Keefer is showing improvement this season is with his footwork. The Jags big man is doing better at moving laterally and staying in front of his opponent then using his powerful hands to move them off the ball. Expect to see other Power Four programs get involved after going through his junior film and see us bump his PRZTN rating into possibly the top O-line prospect from our #TN2027 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1909567' first='Mar'shaun' last='Fletcher'] - White House-Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Patriots were in need of new playmakers to step forward and take on leading roles this year and Fletcher has done that by becoming the team leader in receiving at the midway point of the season. The Patriots junior is a two-way talent that may be looked at as a defensive back by college coaches but I can also see the upside on offense as well. Fletcher is coming off one of his better offensive performances this season with a 120 yard and two touchdown game in “Week Five.” His ability to create big plays and work his man deep has been a needed spark on a Patriots offense that is struggling to generate enough points right now. The off-season will be critical for Fletcher to build upon his junior season and develop at a proper rate that pulls in college interest and potential offers. I like what I'm seeing right now and the future ahead for this Mid-Tennessee product.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1909562' first='Fred' last='Ntumba'] - Antioch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Over the past few weeks, Ntumba has been one of the more highly productive D-linemen in the state with this sophomore putting forth a strong game in “Week Five” with 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. The Bears big man is new to my radar and someone I need to look deeper into but on the surface, I see potential here with Ntumba, especially as a potential college edge rusher. He has the size, outstanding arm length and a projectable frame to work the edge on the next level. Ntumba also displays the burst and speed that college coaches look for with their edge rushers. You can still see some raw areas within his game as well as his need for additional weight but the college potential is certainly there with Ntumba. I'm curious to see how he performs the rest of the season as his Antioch team should be competing in some important games down the stretch, which forces Ntumba to excel under pressure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1909581,"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/3/2025/09/fbtumba.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1909581" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1894518' first='Colby' last='Barone'] - Independence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This 2025 season has been a coming out show for this Williamson County linebacker that keeps getting better week after week and displaying himself as a guy that will take a jump into our updated junior Fall rankings. Barone is coming off a strong performance in “Week Five” where he continued to show excellent work versus the run while also displaying strong action in pass coverage. The Eagles junior defender is a violent attacker that diagnoses the play then flies to the ball with full out maximum effort. Being that Barone is a true middle linebacker, I've liked the work he has done in space so far this year. This guy is a deceptive athlete that can improve in this area much further over the coming offseason and boost his game in a significant way. There is much to work on but Barone has certainly made a good impression this season and placed himself on a map as a player to watch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1704591' first='Kentrell' last='Watkins Jr.'] - Chatt. Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Watkins is coming off possibly his best performance to date and it happened inside a big game where his Sentinels team upset Marion Co., 18-6 and this junior defensive back played a major part in the win. A two sport guy that is starting to build his potential on the gridiron, Watkins picked off the Warriors twice and at key moments in the game that possibly were back breakers. He also contributed in run support while displaying blanket coverage on the outside. I've been keeping track of this Chattanooga area prospect throughout the season and I'm beginning to see where Watkins can become a college guy due to his athleticism and versatility in the secondary. He may have a shot at developing at cover corner as well. Watkins does need to get bigger and continue learning the game but I really like what I'm at this point in his progression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1193547' first='Jamari' last='Brown'] - Columbia Central&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions have had an up and down start to their 2025 season but one guy who has flashes for me and shown college potential is this Mid-Tennessee prospect that brings value all over the field. Looking into Brown, I like his upside best as a slot receiver but I can see where college coaches may like him in the defensive backfield as well. Most of his production this year has been at receiver but Brown made this list after good work last week in the secondary where he produced four tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. The Lions sophomore has also shown upside for special teams as a potential big play return guy who could also develop into an excellent gunner. I'm interested to watch Brown perform the rest of the way and see how much better he gets because his stock is certainly rising in my eyes as a possible Top 100 player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1909579,"width":"253px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/jamaribrown.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1909579" style="width:253px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->