Underclassmen Stock Watch (Week Seven)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Continuing our weekly look at the top underclassmen performers, we dive into the film and overall work from some of the week's top underclassmen performers who not only stood out with their action but also boosted their recruiting stock. We will be keeping tabs on our rising juniors and sophomores throughout the season, so stay glued to our “Stock Watch” for further in-season evaluations.</h2>     ‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1535791' first='Brody' last='Sparks'] - Carter   - So far this 2025 season, Sparks has been on a heater, putting up big numbers each and every week, including the team's 49-6 win over Fulton in “Week Seven.” The Hornets junior quarterback is coming off one of his best performances of the season where Sparks threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for three more scores on 51 yards. Watching this East-TN talent on film, where I see vast improvement is with his arm strength, timing and ability to read defenses. Sparks is a true pocket passer that does well getting the ball down field while doing some with increased accuracy and zip. I do see the need to form his body better but Sparks can spin it and definitely shows the college arm talent.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] - Baylor   - I don't know how much higher his stock to can go as our current #1 player in the state for the junior class but it was hard not to put Gabriel-Georges in this article after his sensational performance last week versus rival McCallie. The Red Raiders running back was the key difference maker in the Red Raiders come from behind win in “Week Seven” where he ran for 280 yards and three touchdowns with all three scores being highly important in the victory. My biggest takeaway from his performance last week was his ability to take over the game during its most critical moments. When Baylor needed a score, Gabriel-Georges provided it. This is a do-everything type of running back that is quickly becoming the best at his position not just in this state but the entire country.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1940925' first='E.J.' last='Gibson'] - Ensworth   - This 2025 season has been a coming out party for this Nashville based running back and he put forth possibly his best performance of the year in last week's home region win over Knox. Catholic. The Tigers junior ball carrier went off against the Fighting Irish with 254 yards rushing on 25 carries and four touchdowns on the night. His power running style along with his vision to find the open field was tough for the Knox. Catholic defense to deal with. What I've liked from Gibson so far this season is his increased burst and speed along with some additional strength that allows him to bounce off tacklers. The way Gibson has performed this season has certainly boosted his stock and will place him inside our upcoming updated rankings.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/ejgibson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1942278" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor'] - Blackman   - Personally scouting the Blackman vs. Stewarts Creek game last week, Oduor was a man among boys on that field and the clear cut number one college prospect between both teams. This junior wideout made his presence known early with a one handed catch that Oduor turned into a long touchdown run then produced another score in the red zone, using his body and strong hands to come down with the reception. Oduor looks the part of a future college guy. He is physically well built with extremely long arms and speed that appears to be given an extra gear with his offseason work. I see tremendous upside with this Murfreesboro area pass catcher and I think soon, Oduor will see his recruiting stock explode.    - - - - -    ‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] - Upperman   - The Bees plowed through their opponent last week, improving their record to 5-2 overall with Cox and their offensive line paving the road for two 100 yard rushers. It was one of the best performances this season from Cox where he got off the line fast, squared up with his man and blew him off the ball on a consistent basis. This junior O-lineman started to come on the scene last year but seems to be taking his game to another level and I think he still has room to grow with not just his skill set but his body as well. Cox is an athletic blocker that shows me O-line versatility and the room to pack on more strength and weight. He shows flashes of being able to handle some tackle but I like his game best inside where he can shine at either guard or center.    - - - - -    ‘28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1942269' first='Amarion' last='Graves'] - Volunteer   - As the 2025 season has gone along, Graves has steadily gotten better and established himself as one of his team's top playmakers from both sides of the ball. Last week in the Falcons 41-8 win over Northview Academy, Graves stood out on offense with 4 receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Just about every time Graves touched the ball, he scored. Scouting through his clips this year, I see a natural athlete that provides potential at either slot receiver or somewhere in the secondary. The Falcons sophomore still has plenty of room to grow, develop his body and pack on more weight but the athletic tools are certainly in place to obtain college interest over time. Performances like last week definitely help his cause!    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/amgraves.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1942279" style="width:244px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] - Riverdale   - Malden was a guy I was bullish on going into the 2025 season and he looks to be coming into his own at Riverdale. Last week in the Warriors 31-13 region victory over Smyrna, this junior edge rusher was a nuisance that consistently got after the ball. Malden did good work both against the run and versus the pass where he produced 8 total tackles with two of them for loss and two sacks. The Warriors junior prospect is a long term, big payoff guy, meaning Malden may be one of the fastest off the edge in the state but he needs time to pack on the weight. The raw, athletic tools are in-place for Malden to become a Top 50 prospect in this state, so his continued play this football year and into the off-season will be key to his recruiting stock.    - - - - -    ‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1707742' first='Isaiah' last='Burton'] - Jackson North-Side   - The Indians have been coming on as of late with their defense forming into a solid unit and this edge rusher is a big part of it. Burton is a physically well built guy that fits as an edge setter in the run game but shows the potential to become a solid pass rusher as well. His work last week in the Indians 42-21 win over Hardin Co. was impressive where Burton had 9 tackles on the night with 2.5 of them for loss and 2 sacks. This might have been his best game of the year as Burton displayed a nice combination of run stuffing along with his ability to get after the passer. The physical tools are in place for Burton to compete on the next level, so if he can continue to work on his agility and speed, his college interest and stock will certainly rise.    - - - - -    ‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1669631' first='Tarhye' last='Taylor'] - Fayette-Ware   - Taylor may be sitting under the radar when it comes to his recruitment but so far this Fall season, he has been outstanding with consistent play, which has put himself on the map for me as a potential riser from our #TN2027 class. His Wildcats team has been struggling to gain wins but it's from the lack of play from Taylor. He has been a tackling machine with the ability to make game changing plays from the defensive side of the ball. Last week, Taylor produced another strong game where he had 14 total tackles with two of them for loss, 1 sack and 1 pick six interception. This is an athletic backer with a nose for the ball and a quick first step. Taylor still has plenty of development to go but he is showing with his strong junior campaign that he can “ball” and play his way into the college ranks one day.    - - - - -    ‘27 (S/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1942274' first='Eli' last='Smith'] - White Co.    - This Mid-Tennessee safety jumped on my radar a few weeks ago and he has continued to impress since then. Smith put forth another strong showing last week in his team's 34-0 win over Warren County where he produced 8 total tackles with one of them for loss and one interception. The Warriors junior prospect is an intriguing talent that I could see developing at several roles on the college level. He handles safety for his White Co. defense but I could see him growing into an eventual linebacker or maybe even at running back on offense. Smith brings good size to the field (6'0 200) along with strong instincts and high football intelligence. The upcoming off-season will be big for Smith to develop further and continue putting himself on the college radar.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/tartaylor.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1942277" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></figure>