Preseason X Factors: CPA Football

<p>The CPA football program was placed in a difficult situation last season after having already scheduled a loaded non-region schedule that included nationally ranked programs, and it became even tougher as TSSAA made a late move to push them up into the top private school classification because they had too much success in the middle class. </p>   <p>CPA started region play off with a couple of close losses as the jump in competition was a new beast and they had to learn how to win at that level, but the team looked better and better as the year progressed forward as they made a deep postseason run all the way to the state semifinals.</p>   <p>While the Lions will be losing some key pieces, the team returns plenty of talent and now has a year of experience in DII-AAA under their belt. If they want to build on that late season success and reach their potential this season, these five recruits will need to have major seasons this fall.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 QB Jack VanOrman</h2>   <p>Star tailback Rawls Patterson has finally graduated from the program and the Lions face uncertainty at the position for the first time in several years. For an offense that is built around the strong and reliable rushing attack, finding productive play in the backfield will be one of the most important parts of the offseason.</p>   <p>However, the team should be able to count on the other member of the backfield, quarterback Jack VanOrman, to step up in his senior year after getting a year of starting experience to his name.</p>   <p>He will plenty of talented receiving prospects to throw the ball to, even with the graduation of Vanderbilt signee Owen Cabell. The quarterback will need to be an effective and consistent point guard of the offense this season as the team looks for their next players up at the running back position.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1586170' first='Gabriel' last='Cabell']</h2>   <p>One of those weapons that VanOrman will have to throw to will be [player_tooltip player_id='1586170' first='Gabriel' last='Cabell'], an exciting receiver prospect that should continue to provide the offense with a blue-chip downfield threat in the passing game.</p>   <p>He has excellent size at 6-foot-3 paired with elite track speed that allows for him to separate from any defensive back he faces. With his older brother now in the SEC, Gabriel will lead the receiver room and will be tasked with winning some contested catch situations downfield.</p>   <p>He has the ability to be the third straight SEC receiver prospect that CPA has produced and putting it all together in his junior season would be massive for the success of the team.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1912208' first='Wright' last='Martin']</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1912208' first='Wright' last='Martin'] was one of the breakout prospects across the entire state this season as a tight end, but he can make a strong impact on both sides of the ball.</p>   <p>At tight end, he is a versatile weapon as both a receiver and blocker. He has the size to block in-line or as a puller in the run game, but also the athleticism to block out at the numbers for screens. As a receiver, he utilizes that athleticism to work open over the middle of the field and provide a reliable safety blanket for his quarterback.</p>   <p>The Lions will need their front seven to step up this season and the leader of the defensive line will be Martin as well. His combination of size and athleticism that makes him such a complete tight end recruit translates nicely to the defensive line, where he can work into the backfield and disrupt plays.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1158911' first='Isaiah' last='Bryant']</h2>   <p>CPA has a very strong offensive line unit that features top prospects such as tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1154143' first='Ben' last='Hale'] and center [player_tooltip player_id='905243' first='Skyler' last='Smith'] (Duke commit). However the top X-factor will likely be [player_tooltip player_id='1158911' first='Isaiah' last='Bryant'] because they have used his skillset at both tackle and guard, depending on what the team needs in that game and moment.</p>   <p>With a new running back leading the rushing attack, the offensive line as a whole will be a X-factor, but the versatility of Bryant will allow for the team to put the best five players out there each week that can give the team a shot at defeating their opponent.</p>   <p>He has great size at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds with the strength to move opposing lineman and help generate rushing lanes. He also has the athleticism to have success in pass protection and be used as a puller .</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1180148' first='Crew' last='Chance']</h2>   <p>The linebacker room will now be under the direction of [player_tooltip player_id='1180148' first='Crew' last='Chance'] as he enters his junior year coming off a season in which he record over 90 tackles.</p>   <p>He is a standout baseball player and puts that athleticism to use while working in pursuit, weaving through would-be blockers to track down the ball carrier. With him setting a young front seven now, it will be imperative that he becomes the vocal leader of the group and makes sure everyone around him is on task.</p>   <p>Chance was a very productive linebacker last season and now will have to be a productive leader on top of that.</p>

The CPA football program was placed in a difficult situation last season after having already scheduled a loaded non-region schedule that included nationally ranked programs, and it became even tougher as TSSAA made a late move to push them up into the top private school classification because they had too much success in the middle class.