TN2028 Offensive Watch List (Who’s Up Next)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep into the off-season of recruiting and scouting, several rising juniors have already seen their stocks take off but others haven't. It's a long process, so offers happen when they do but we feel these players below are on the cusp of breaking out and turning into high valued prospects.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] - Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Dixon has been a name on the recruiting scene for the better part of two years now but he is still waiting for the offer barrage to come his way. I think that changes sooner than later as this Memphis area product brings a lot of tools to the field that translates well to the college game. Dixon has smooth mechanics with improved arm strength that I think will continue to get stronger as he matures. He is also a high football IQ guy that watches a ton of film and constantly puts in the work to develop himself. The Saints junior quarterback is still growing and learning but the raw talent is certainly in place to become a potential “top five” ranked quarterback for his class and a possible Power Four guy before his process is over.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sharing the backfield last year with an outgoing senior, Otey has yet to be the “number one” guy for his Pats offense but that should change this Fall where I think this Mid-Tennessee product will have a breakout season. This is a well put together young man that looks the part physically of a college guy but he's also a good athlete that runs well. Otey is tough to handle due to his overall size, broad shoulders, powerful lower base and deceptive speed. I think he has higher levels with his speed as well. The Patriots junior ball carrier does hold a few offers already but I believe he will blow up into one of the top backs in the state for the TN2028 class that is just bidding his time before his recruitment takes off.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1678515' first='Nasir' last='Hammond'] - Southwind</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I think it's just a matter of time before this Memphis area prospect blows up on the recruiting scene. Hammond was starting to blow up on the field during the early half of his sophomore year but an injury cut things short. If he had played the entire year, his offer list might look different right now but I believe that changes very soon. Transferring to Southwind for his final two years, Hammond is an uber talented young man that displays excellent ball skills and mature route running along with the ability to separate from defenders. He also has a great frame for additional weight. All the tools and traits are in place for Hammond to become a top of the board wideout for the in-state 2028 class. He is just waiting for college coaches to affirm it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2149460,"width":"250px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/nhammond.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2149460" style="width:250px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1028069' first='Haynes' last='Hawkins'] - Alcoa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- All signs point towards Hawkins being the next stud wideout out of the Tornadoes football program and he is still far from a finished product. This rising junior started to come on late in the 2025 season where he began to display outstanding hands and route running as well as being dependable on third downs. His recruitment has yet to take off but I believe it will in time, maybe even this summer at camps. I'm bullish on this guy as I see a lot of strong traits in him that translate well to the college game. Hawkins has the physical look and ball skills that offensive coaches and quarterbacks would enjoy working with. Keep track of this East Tennessee product because it's just a matter of when, not if this guy shows up big on the recruiting trail.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1588776' first='Hudson' last='Smith'] - Nash. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another rising junior wideout I'm quite high on but has yet to break through on the recruiting scene, is this Nashville area prospect that brings a lot of big play abilities to the playing field. Smith is an athletic young man that runs very well while also sporting outstanding ball skills. He has the ability to beat his man deep due to his speed but also dominate the intermediate game because of his mature route running. The Eagles pass catcher made some plays last Fall but really had to sit behind veterans, however I think his time is now and should become a breakout star during the 2026 season that watches his recruitment take off over the next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2133779,"width":"287px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5249130938586326","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-1-05-09-PM-crop-613x403-1771700792.webp?w=613" alt="" class="wp-image-2133779" style="aspect-ratio:1.5249130938586326;width:287px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NCS WR [player_tooltip player_id='1588776' first='Hudson' last='Smith'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2141270' first='Dylan' last='Streeter'] - CPA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions football program has quietly been “Wide Receiver U” for some years now and the next stud to know about is this 6 '3 rising junior pass catcher. Streeter is a physically impressive young man (6'3 195) that moves well on the field with room to develop more athleticism and sudden movements in time. This Nashville area product has the ball skills and size that should appeal to college coaches. The offers have yet to come but that should change soon, especially as coaches view him in person during visits and Streeter performs at camps this summer. The Lions wideout is just scratching to surface on his upside too, so the future looks bright for Streeter and his potential on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2143334' first='Jaxon' last='Spencer'] - Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a solid debut season with the Mustangs, Spencer is a name to watch down the road as someone I think can make it to the Power Four playing stage. The interest and offers have yet to arrive but I think they will sooner than later and turn this Nashville area prospect into possibly one of the best receivers coming out of the TN2028 class. Spencer is an athletic dude with lightning quick feet that allows him to get open and separate from his defender. The Mustangs receiver is fast as well, showing upside to handle the slot or potentially outside the hashes. He does need to get bigger and continue learning the game but the upside is real. I think coaches will love what they see from Spencer, so expect to hear more and more about this guy moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&amp;high_school_name=&amp;class%5B%5D=2028&amp;commitment=" id="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&amp;high_school_name=&amp;class%5B%5D=2028&amp;commitment=">#TN2028 Prospect Database</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1092711' first='Jake' last='Payne'] - USJ</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transitioning fully to tight end last year as a sophomore, Payne is a budding star that I feel is sitting under the radar right now but has all the physical tools and talent to become a D1, possible Power Four guy. Standing 6 '6 230 pounds, Payne has the overall size and look college coaches want in their tight ends and he is a good athlete too that runs well. The Bruins junior presents the ability to play in-line with hand in the dirt or flex out in the slot and work downfield. He is still learning the position and developing his game but all the tools are in place to see his offer list expand over the coming months and year and position himself as one of the top tight ends from our TN2028 recruiting class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2149465,"width":"264px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/jpayne.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2149465" style="width:264px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE) [player_tooltip player_id='2087506' first='J.T.' last='Allen'] - Maryville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Standing 6 '5 230 pounds, Allen immediately looks the part when stepping off the bus and he has the athleticism and ball skills along with physical game play to become an outstanding tight end target in college. He is just waiting on those offers to arrive, however I think they will in time and form this East Tennessee product into one of the top tight end prospects from our TN2028 class. The Rebels big man is talented enough to be looked at for defensive end as well. What stands out about Allen is his willingness to block in the trenches but also his ability to catch in space and run after the reception. I think Allen is just scratching the surface on his upside and soon, I think college coaches will start seeing the potential as well, especially as we get into camp season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1180873' first='Ashton' last='Coles'] - Ensworth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A brute mauler that gained significant starting experience last year as a sophomore, Coles has the look and feel of a future college guy that could develop into a D1 prospect. He holds a couple offers right now from East Carolina and Eastern Ky but I think more are coming, especially when coaches come to visit in the spring months and he camps this summer. Coles is a worker that has steadily improved so far throughout his high school career. His strength up front is his power and ability to drive his man off the ball. The Tigers junior is a deceptive athlete as well that shows pass protecting potential with further development. I do see upside with Coles as possibly one of the better guard prospects we have from the TN2028 in-state crop.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Others to Track</strong>: (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] </strong>- Memp Central, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704670' first='Logan' last='Hughes']</strong> - Southwind, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn']</strong> - Oakland, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704252' first='Landon' last='Plunk'] </strong>- Chrst. Brothers, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734274' first='Andrew' last='Carlin']</strong> - Signal Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2149466,"width":"316px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-16-2025-10-41-30-PM-crop-981x644-1773337789.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2149466" style="width:316px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth Athletics</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->