Underclassmen Stock Watch (Week Two)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our new weekly series continues with ten new prospects from "Week Two" who stood out with top tier performances. These players were already on the college radar but boosted their stocks further after executing at a high level. </h2>     ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones'] - Maryville   - Jones was already on the college radar but he definitely boosted his stock in a major way after a flawless performance last week in his team's 48-7 win over Knox. West. The Rebels quarterback didn't throw an incompletion as he went 12-12 passing for 366 yards and six total touchdowns while displaying a versatile skill set that should appeal to collegiate coaches. Jones has improved his arm talent by adding more power and zip and it shows on film. He is also an accurate passer that shows good timing while having the athleticism to maneuver the pocket and find positive yards with his legs. I like the way this guy performs and plays. Jones is dripping with potential and I think we will continue to see this East TN quarterback flourish throughout the season.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='723428' first='Larry' last='Sanders II'] - Brentwood Academy   - Stepping into the lead role at running back this Fall, Sanders has taken full advantage thus far with his best performance coming last week in the team's win over Brentwood. The Eagles junior ball carrier was the catalyst behind the 45-21 win as Sanders ran around and through the Bruins defense on his way to 186 yards rushing and two touchdowns. What I liked most most from Sanders was how hard he ran the ball and how tough it was for the Bruins defense to bring him down. The Eagles junior has outstanding contact balance and vision to find the open field. Sanders is also a good receiver out the backfield along with potential to become a good pass blocker. I was impressed with how this running back performed last week and the upside I see for Sanders on the collegiate playing level.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1261066' first='Lionel' last='Brooks'] - Spring Hill    - Many people throughout the state or the scouting scene may not know too much about this Mid-Tennessee ball carrier but Brooks brings college size and skills to the playing field that translates well to the next level. The Raiders junior was able to show off his upside in last week's victory where Brooks ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns, using his size and speed to run around and through the opposition. When you turn on the film, you see a running back that gets into the open field quickly and when he does, Brooks is hard to bring down due to his broad shoulders and natural strength. More development is needed for Brooks but I definitely see the college upside within his game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/lbrooks-crop-560x368-1757088210.webp?w=560" alt="" class="wp-image-1871049" style="width:327px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Columbia Daily Herald</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] - Stone Memorial   - Page was a 1st team preseason All-State selection that went into the season with big expectations and so far, he is living up to the hype. The Panthers junior receiver is coming off a strong performance in his team's overtime win over Coalfield where Page produced 11 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown on the night. He was a go-to target that stepped up big at the right times while showing off his upside for the next level. Page is a talented young man that keeps getting better each time he steps onto the field. He brings natural athletic abilities to the field along with strong hands and sharp route running. More weight needs to be added to his frame but the playmaking abilities and ball skills are definitely in place to make it into the college game.    - - - - -   ‘28 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1864058' first='Braden' last='Bird'] - Wiliam Blount   - Better start getting to know about this sophomore tight end because I think you will hear a lot about Bird moving forward and his potential for the college game. Standing 6'4 205 lbs, Bird is an athletic young man that has the build and frame to push on more weight and become quite appealing towards collegiate coaches. I think those coaches will start paying attention soon, especially with continued performances like last week where Bird hauled in five receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown in the Govs 59-20 win over Austin-East. Bird is built more like a flex tight end right now but has the physical upside to build his body further. When you turn on the film, you can see the potential, so I'm excited to continue seeing his progression throughout the season ahead.    - - - - -    ‘29 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1218739' first='Barrett' last='Hudson'] - Eagleville   - While he's only a freshman, Hudson is an impressive young man that has stepped into varsity ball this season and performed like a veteran. When you turn on his early season clips, you see clean work from Hudson. He comes out of his stance fast, stays square, locks on his powerful hands then drives back his man into the second level. The Eagles freshman big man is well put together as well with no bad weight on him and the frame to pack on more size moving forward. Hudson is still young and learning himself as well as the game of football. There is a lot of growth yet to come but early on, I really like what I see from Hudson and his potential to be one of the best O-line prospects from his TN2029 class.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/bhudson.webp?w=793" alt="" class="wp-image-1871050" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1595026' first='Parker' last='Emerson'] - Brentwood   - Over the past six months, I've been able to scout Emerson pretty well, watching him perform during 7v7 and during the current season and what I see is an athletic, versatile performer that continues to get better each time he steps onto the field. During last week's loss to Brentwood Academy, Emerson was the best player out there for the Bruins. Whether it was catching passes or running quarterback, this junior two-way talent continued to flash athleticism and his high football IQ. Emerson is a gamer that shows a great feel for the game and leadership capabilities. This is an interesting prospect that I could see making his way into the college game at either receiver or safety but regardless, Emerson is a baller that has his best football days ahead of him.    - - - - -    ‘27 (DE/TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] - Sevier Co.    - This East Tennessee product continues to mess with my scouting mind because Perry keeps showing progress at both tight end and defensive end, edge and making it tougher to pinpoint what position he will excel at in college. Last week's performance in the Smoky Bears win over Jefferson Co. showed his versatility as Perry produced 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and one sack on defense while hauling in 6 receptions, 81 yards and one touchdown on offense. Perry has the physicality and size to develop at either position but what could his best position be? I think we will continue to figure that out as the season goes on and Perry continues to shine on both sides of the ball. Regardless, the Smoky Bears junior is an impressive looking prospect that has a bright future ahead of him.    - - - - -    ‘27 (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1871036' first='Elijah' last='Valentine'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman   - Last Friday in the Highlanders 23-12 win over Cocke Co., Valentine might have had his coming out party where he became a constant nuisance in the Fighting Cocks backfield and someone that couldn't be blocked. The Highlanders junior defensive end had a big night as he produced 7 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 3 sacks against Cocke County. His ability to get off the blocks fast then use his physicality and speed to get to the quarterback was tough to handle. Valentine does have college upside as he brings nice size (6'2 215), arm length and the edge burst to become a talented pass rusher on the college stage. More work needs to be done with increasing his agility and burst while adding in more weight but I certainly see the upside for the next level.    - - - - -    ‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1587377' first='Jackson' last='Coffey'] - GCA   - The Rams didn't start their season till “Week Two” but came out ready to perform in their 24-21 win over Carter with Coffey being a major contributor on the defensive side of the ball. This junior linebacker was an absolute force stopping the Hornets run game as he filled gaps all night while showing nice play recognition. Coffey finished the contest by producing 14 total tackles with 3.5 of them coming for loss while also doing some solid work in pass coverage. Diving deep into his work last week, Coffey looks much improved with his agility and athleticism, which makes him more appealing as a college prospect. The Rams junior backer must continue the path he is taking while improving himself but I can see Coffey working his way into college opportunities with more development.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/jackcoffey.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1871053" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure>