Season Recap: Next Level Junior Prospects

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recruiting moves fast and while college programs are still looking at our in-state senior class, a lot of attention is already being spent diving into the juniors. Our #TN2027 recruiting class looks quite strong with several prospects pushing themselves to new levels this past season, including the ten players below, who we believe had breakout years.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1104268' first='Kaden' last='Long'] - Knox. Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2027 quarterback class was already a strong group but it got even deeper with the emergence of this Knoxville area signal caller. It was a stellar 2025 season from Long where he led his Bobcats team to a 10-3 record and a quarterfinal 5A finish. He also produced a ton, which led him to becoming a Mr. Football Finalist and a prospect on the rise that college coaches should take a deeper look into. Long is a dual threat guy that vastly improved his passing abilities this past season where he generated 3,327 yards through the air along with 28 touchdowns. The Bobcats quarterback also produced 1,286 yards on the ground along with another 18 scores. Long has positioned himself as one of the top dual threat guys in the state while also showing the upside to make a mark one day on the college level. He definitely pushed his game to a new level and I still believe Long has room to grow and develop much further.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu'] - Alcoa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Stepping into a starting role this past season for his Tornadoes team, Manu had a sensational junior campaign that saw him lead his squad to a state championship while also being named a Mr. Football finalist. The biggest takeaway from Manu was his efficiency. He did not throw an interception all year long while also having an 80.3 completion percentage. His feel for the game and poise in the pocket were stellar and it showed maturity that would work wonders on the collegiate gridiron. For the 2025 season, Manu threw for 3,099 yards and 45 touchdowns and another 4 scores on the ground. It was an outstanding junior year for the Tornadoes signal caller that has certainly put him on the college radar. He can boost his stock even further with a strong off-season campaign by enhancing his overall skill set and stringing together good camp performances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2074568,"width":"204px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7145692735212386","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/tmanu2.webp?w=731" alt="" class="wp-image-2074568" style="aspect-ratio:0.7145692735212386;width:204px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668510' first='D.K.' last='Woods'] - Crockett Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming from an area that doesn't get a lot of recruiting attention, Woods is someone to watch for over the coming off-season months, especially after his breakthrough junior campaign. The Cavaliers power back ran through opposing defenses last Fall by going for 1,690 yards and 30 touchdowns while averaging 10.2 yards per carry. Woods is a tough guy to bring down due to his physical size and powerful lower base. The Cavs junior back may not be the fastest but he runs with outstanding contact balance while consistently falling forward. If he can increase his agility and speed over the next few months, Woods might start to move the needle with his recruitment but he certainly helped his cause with a productive and strong junior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1608413' first='Stephen' last='Saulter'] - Pearl Cohn&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Firebirds needed some new names to step forward at receiver and several guys rose up, including this junior pass catcher that established himself as the team's number one target. Saulter is a big, physical receiver that uses his size well to work off the line then shield off defenders. For his junior campaign, this Nashville area prospect hauled in 41 receptions for 818 yards along with 12 touchdowns while averaging 20 yards per catch. Having the kind of ball skills and size that Saulters presents, makes him a potential candidate to work his way into the D1 ranks. The biggest thing for the Firebirds receiver to work on this off-season would be his explosion off the line and his overall speed. Everything else is in place for Saulter to watch his stock soar and become a top ten level recruit for the TN2027 recruiting class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='903798' first='Slim' last='Leavell'] - Goodpasture</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I still think Leavell has plenty of development left to go but he certainly took the next step needed with his game this past Fall season. This 6'2 playmaker became the Cougars number one receiving target on offense this year while becoming their top ball hawk in the secondary as well. Leavell ended his junior year producing 735 yards receiving on 35 receptions while scoring 12 touchdowns. His work on defense was strong too as Leavell generated 4 interceptions playing several roles on the back end. My biggest takeaway from watching this Nashville based prospect this year was his enhanced agility and speed. I thought Leavell looked faster with more understanding of the game. I believe he does need to continue getting more explosive and faster but the physical tools are in place to continue progressing himself into a possible D1 prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (TE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1577078' first='Parker' last='Newman'] - Sevier Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This East Tennessee talent is an exciting but tough guy to scout because I can honestly see him excelling at either tight end or edge linebacker in college, especially after his highly productive junior season. Newman is a tall and athletic prospect that shows excellent upside as a flex tight end on offense while also sporting the physical frame and traits to develop off the edge on defense as well. For his junior year, the Smoky Bears two-way talent generated 78 receptions for 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense while producing 117 tackles on defense with 10 of them for loss, 3 sacks and 4 interceptions. Seeing that kind of production tells me this guy can play and he's legit. Where he ends up in college will be dictated by his off-season development but I feel Newman could excel on either way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2090362,"width":"267px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/pnewman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2090362" style="width:267px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1703375' first='Braylon' last='Warren'] - Collierville&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's tough to find high level defensive tackle prospects but Collierville looks to have one in Warren, who stepped into a starting role last Fall and made a big impression. This 6 '2 290 pound interior D-lineman brings the right girth and size to the line along with the ability to stuff the run while also providing a pass rush. Warren isn't just a space eater in the middle but he produces. For his junior campaign, the Dragons defensive tackle generated 67 tackles with 18 of them for loss along with 1 interception and 7 sacks on the season. It was a great debut year with Collierville that showed his potential for the next level while establishing himself as one of the top defensive tackle prospects from our TN2027 class. Warren has picked up a few offers but I believe many, many more will be coming as college coaches dive deeper into his junior film.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1693459' first='Jayland' last='Eckford'] - J.C. Merry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Big expectations were put on Eckford going into the 2025 season and while his team didn't perform like many thought they would, this junior pass rusher did and showed talents that could excel on the D1 or Power Four level. The Cougars junior defensive prospect has all the physical abilities and traits you look for in a college pass rusher. Eckford is tall, long and athletic with a quick release off the snap. Those abilities were on full display this past season where Eckford produced 100 total tackles with 17 of them for loss along with 9 sacks. Opposing offensive tackles had a tough time slowing down Eckford due to his burst and speed around the edge. When you turn on the film, you see elite level athleticism and explosion for his position, which leads me to scouting this guy as an eventual Power Four level prospect. Keep track of this guy over the coming months as I expect Eckford's stock to rise and take-off in a big way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='906615' first='Shelvy' last='Clark'] - Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Clark was an absolute game wrecker throughout his junior season and one of the bigger breakout stars from the 2025 football year. This Memphis area prospect had such a strong junior campaign that Clark may have played his way into becoming the top linebacker prospect from our TN2027 recruiting class. Aggressive and fast with a nose for finding the ball, Clark had a very productive junior year that saw him produce 139 total tackles with 18 of them for loss, 4 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles and 8 sacks on the season. For some reason, the offers have yet to come his way but I can bet they will sooner than later because Clark is ultra talented with a lot of upside for the college game. It will be intriguing to see how he develops during the off-season to push his game further as I expect coaches to be in hot pursuit for one of the top defensive prospects from the in-state junior class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2090366,"width":"295px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/sclark-crop-1366x897-1766952951.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2090366" style="width:295px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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>- A big revelation this past season was the emergence of Watkins and his ball hawking abilities from the Sentinels secondary. This Chattanooga area prospect had a stellar junior campaign that might have established himself as one of the better up and coming defensive back prospects coming from our TN2027 class. Opposing teams had difficulties throwing in the direction of Watkins as he generated 53 tackles on the season along with 3 passes defended and 5 interceptions. The Sentinels junior pretty much locked down his side of the field and made things difficult for opposing receivers to find open space. Increasing his agility and speed throughout the off-season would go a long way towards Watkins remaining at corner in college but at worst, he could definitely transition into nickel or safety if needed. I see value on special teams as well, so there is a lot to like about Watkins and his potential on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Next Level Juniors: (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1261066' first='Lionel' last='Brooks']</strong> - Spring Hill, (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909567' first='Mar'Shaun' last='Fletcher']</strong> - WH-Heritage, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'] </strong>- Stone Memorial, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1674006' first='Luke' last='Burger'] </strong>- Silverdale, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2085665' first='Lane' last='Parker']</strong> - Happy Valley, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2090376' first='Carson' last='Pearce']</strong> - Knox. Halls, (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper']</strong> - USJ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1908221,"width":"268px","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/kwatkins.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1908221" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->