The Five: Next Up Sophomores (Non-Offered)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we inch closer to the 2026 season, these off-season months continue to uncover new prospects around the state, especially from our rising sophomore class. The #TN2029 crop is starting to form into shape but will continue to grow. These prospects below have gotten on our radar to show next level abilities but are still waiting for that college interest. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1686419' first='Jackson' last='Arthur'] - MBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This off-season has been thus far for Arthur when it comes to on the field development. The Big Red sophomore quarterback has begun to grow into his body and it shows with his work, especially with the power coming from his right arm. Arthur is showing more arm strength along with a quicker release. He is also displaying good accuracy as well. I think he needs to continue developing his lower half mobility and foot speed but the passing tools appear to be coming into place. Expectations are there for Arthur to step into a starting role at MBA this year and if he does, I expect him to have a standout sophomore season that puts him fully on the college radar, if summer camp season doesn't already do that for him. Expect to hear more and more about Arthur over the next two years as one of the better pure passers coming out of the TN2029 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2148591' first='Omari' last='Thomas'] - Pearl Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Little is out there right now about this Nashville area receiver but I've done enough digging and scouting on this guy to know he will eventually become a highly recruited prospect. Thomas is an ultra athlete that brings nice ball skills and speed to his receiver position along with the potential from the outside or the slot. Where Thomas can be dangerous is coming off the line and getting into routes quickly as he usually shows separation from his defender. Once his speed is allowed to take over, the Firebirds sophomore is hard to handle. There is plenty of room for improvement but Thomas has tons of time to develop his skill set further while continuing to stay in the weight room to get bigger. The offers will come in time but I'll be interested to see if they start arriving during camp season or after putting action on film from his upcoming sophomore campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2211427,"width":"222px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/othomas.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2211427" style="width:222px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1719725' first='Logan' last='Townson'] - Science Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going through our sophomore class, you see a lot of guys that need to mature into their bodies but one guy who already looks the part is this East Tennessee edge rusher. Towson has the look and feel of a future college guy and his film shows one as well. Standing 6 '4 220 pounds, the Hilltoppers sophomore has a great build with room to get bigger while also having versatility to work at both edge or inside linebacker. I like his future rushing the backfield off the edge where Townson can use his length, size and speed to his advantage. He also shows the athletic upside to play in space against running backs and tight ends as well. I think it's a foregone conclusion that Townson will land plenty of offers. It's just a matter of when, not if this East Tennessee product blows up and becomes a top tier TN2029 recruit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='2171364' first='Steve' last='Egarievwe'] - Ravenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Egarievwe has yet to take on a starting role with Raptors and is still raw in many ways but I've seen enough from this Mid-Tennessee product to say that he has the making of a future college guy. Standing 6 '5 230 pounds, Egarievwe brings the physical look and tools to the football field that appeals to college staffs. He is long with fluid lower body movements, quick feet and untapped bend in his waist that should improve as he continues to grow into his body. The Raptors defensive prospect still has a long ways to go before he is a finished product but the raw building blocks are in place for Egarievwe to step into a bigger role this Fall and contribute in major ways. I think he will eventually become a full time and turn himself into a bonafide D1, possible Power Four prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2210103' first='J'Shawn' last='Jones'] - Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Flying under the radar right now but sporting the look of a future college inside linebacker, Jones is a compact, strong defender that should be stepping into a bigger role this Fall where he has a chance to establish himself as a legit college prospect. He may start that journey this summer during camp season. Jones has the feel of the next stud linebacker to come out of the Mustangs football program and the great thing is that he is still far from a finished product. Watching how he progresses over the next few months will dictate a lot to me with his scouting as well as where he is as a football player. From what I know, increasing his explosion and speed is key towards boosting his stock. Getting on the field is first and foremost but when he does, I expect Jones to form into an impact player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2211428,"width":"255px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/jjones.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2211428" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Others to Track ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1297479' first='Manoach' last='Crockett'] - Lipscomb Acad.: </strong>Undersized but compact and strong, Crockett is a hard nosed running sophomore that has a chance to earn those elusive offers with a strong camp season that bleeds into the Fall football year. All signs point towards Crockett being the lead ball carrier for the Mustangs this year and if he performs well, I'd expect his interest to grow. Increasing his burst and overall speed this off-season would go a long way towards obtaining those elusive offers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='1721089' first='Omega' last='Jones'] - Rossview: </strong>Little is known right now about this Clarksville tight end but his physical abilities and traits speak toward being an eventual college prospect. I expect this rising sophomore to go both ways for his Hawks team this Fall where Jones could honestly develop at both tight end or defensive end, so it will be interesting to see how this guy develops over the coming months because I see college upside written all over him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1877838' first='Namor' last='McClay'] - Dickson Co.: </strong>Standing 6'4 280 plus pounds, McClay has the physical look and overall size of an eventual college guy but he has yet to break through on the recruiting scene. I think that changes after the coming Fall season where McClay should anchor his Cougars offensive line and use his physical stature to dominate opponents. I see potential with this guy to form at tackle but at worst, McClay could develop into a mauling offensive guard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1974133' first='Rylan' last='Weir'] - Mt. Juliet: </strong>The Golden Bears have produced college level linebackers throughout the years and Weir looks like the next guy in line. Standing about 6'2 200 pounds, this Mid-Tennessee product has the physical build and makeup of a future college guy, as long as he continues to grow into his body and develops his game. I'm expecting a bigger role this Fall for Weir where he has a chance to become an impactful defensive player for his Golden Bears team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1707825' first='Gibby' last='Tomberlin'] - Maryville: </strong>One of the best workers I've seen during the off-season has been this sophomore safety prospect. Tomberlin has developed nicely these past few months increasing his athleticism, agility and speed while continuing to grow into his body. The way the Rebels sophomore has been working points toward a bigger role this Fall and a possible starting spot on the back end. This is certainly someone I have my eyes on as someone due to breakout into a legit college prospect this coming football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103194,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/13-Gibby-Tomberlin.png?w=605" alt="" class="wp-image-2103194" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->