Commitment Tracker: Seniors Find College Homes

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">As the weeks go by, we have more and more in-state seniors making commitments and choosing their college paths. Here we breakdown some of the latest decisions from inside our senior recruiting class and how each prospect fits with their respective college teams and what kind of player they will be getting. </h2>     (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] - Sevier Co.    * Committed to Western Ky *   - Ranked as the 8th best senior running back in the state, the Hilltoppers might have gained a steal here with Maples and someone that could develop into their lead starter down the road. After taking an official visit to Western Kentucky, Maples decided to commit to the Toppers and take his talents to Bowling Green where I believe he has a great shot at forming into an impactful player. The Smoky Bears ball carrier chose the Hilltoppers over other strong offers from the likes of App. State, Liberty, Marshall and Memphis. Many others, including some Power Four programs, saw interest in Maples throughout the process but several decided not to offer. Those other schools could be missing out as Maples brings a lot of talent and upside to the field that I think has higher levels to game, yet to be tapped into.    Talent Acquisition: Maples is one of the fastest, more explosive runners coming out of the TN2027 recruiting class. He displays an excellent initial burst and the speed to separate from defenders once he is into the open field. The Smoky Bears senior also brings good size, broad shoulders and a thick lower base to the gridiron that is tough to bring down. His vision is strong as well, which is something he leans on when using his explosive first step. Maples also brings value in the passing game as a receiver out of the backfield and someone with pass protecting potential. The combination of power, size and speed is something that translates very well to the college game and like it was mentioned above, I think Maples still has higher levels to his game that he has yet to reach. I like this addition by Western Ky as I see their future starter at running back with Maples and a possible All-Conference performer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/bmaples.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2237575" style="width:208px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1158911' first='Isaiah' last='Bryant'] - CPA   * Committed to Missouri St. *   - The Bears came into the greater Nashville area and landed a “Top 50” ranked prospect by Prep Redzone Tennessee and an O-lineman that brings a lot of strong physical traits to the playing field. The Lions senior big man committed to Bears after a long recruiting process that saw Bryant land tons of good offers along with strong interest from several Power Four programs but in the end, he saw the fit with the Bears too strong to pass up. Bryant ultimately chose the Bears over offers from Arkansas St., Bowling Green, Georgia St., Marshall, MTSU, Troy and Western Kentucky. It was a good recruiting job by the Missouri St. staff, adding Bryant to the fold and bringing in a big man with O-line versatility and upside at playing tackle with the Bears. It will be interesting to see how the Lions big man develops over time but Missouri St. might have gotten a steal with Bryant.    Talent Acquisition: Over the past year, Bryant has steadily improved in many facets and I think could be headed for his best season yet. This is a big dude that started to lose weight and form his body in the offseason and I think it will pay off in the Fall. Bryant is a good athlete that can enhance his athleticism over time. He does a nice job of moving his feet and staying squared with his opponent. The Lions big man shows pass protecting upside that I think would work best at right tackle. His power profile is what excites me the most. I think Bryant has untapped power that should be flushed out during his time at Missouri St. where I believe he will turn into an offensive guard. I like his potential best on the interior where Bryant can excel in the run game while providing solid pass protection. Regardless, the versatility that Bryant brings to the field is something quite valuable for the Bears front line where they can develop him at several positions.    - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1154143' first='Ben' last='Hale'] - CPA   * Committed to Bowling Green *   - Playing opposite Bryant on the Lions offensive line, Hale took his name off the market by committing to Bowling Green and choosing the Falcons over several high caliber programs. This 6 '5 big man, who brings versatility to the trenches, chose to play at Bowling Green over offers from the likes of Arkansas St., Buffalo, Furman, Georgia St., Missouri St., MTSU, Navy, Troy and UNLV. Plenty of Power Four programs showed interest throughout the process but decided to not get involved with Hale, which turned out to be a big win for the Falcons as they may have a future starter on their hands. The Bowling Green staff did a good job of evaluating and pursuing Hale and their efforts could pay off big down the road. There is a lot to like about Hale and what he brings to the offensive line. He is still growing and learning the game but the upside is strong with the Nashville area big man.    Talent Acquisition: What the Falcons are getting with Hale is someone with a lot of long term potential that could work at tackle or inside at guard. Sporting excellent size with room to get bigger, Hale has the look needed for the next level along with an athletic skill set that allows him to excel in the run game and with his pass protection. The Lions O-lineman shows nice bend and the ability to stay low and under the pads of his opponent. He also has good footwork along with a power profile that can be developed much further under a college weight system. This guy is a competitor that works hard, so you can bet the Falcons staff will get the best out of him. Hale has shown this off-season improvement with his athleticism to where he could play right tackle at Bowling Green. I personally like him best at guard but regardless, this is a good prospect with his best football day ahead of him.    - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] - Stone Memorial   * Committed to Mercer *   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/pcox.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-2237576" style="aspect-ratio:0.8005930318754633;width:198px;height:auto" /></figure>   - Currently ranked as a “Top 15” offensive lineman by Prep Redzone Tennessee, Cox is a long term, big potential big man that brings position versatility to Mercer with the upside to one day form into a multi-year starter. I think the Bears evaluated very well with this Mid-Tennessee senior as Cox has the body frame, athletic movements and power profile to handle starting duties up front and do so at multiple positions. The Panthers O-lineman committed to Mercer over a bevy of offers from Air Force, Army. Bowling Green, Chattanooga, Cornell, Navy, Penn, Princeton, Rice and Yale. Power Four programs showed interest throughout the process but ultimately decided to not get involved, which opened the door for programs like Mercer, who gained a talented blocker that provides a lot of value up front that still has his best football days ahead of him.    Talent Acquisition: Throughout his high school career, Cox has mainly played tackle and he could possibly remain there at Mercer but I personally think he fits best on the interior at either guard or center. What stands out about Cox is his athleticism, bend and physicality that shows up in both his run and pass blocking. The Panthers big man displays nice lower body movements with explosive flashes, especially with his pulling and trapping. He sports a nice build too that can take on much more weight and overall size. I don't foresee Cox getting on the two deep over the next two years but eventually he should. He needs time acclimating to the college game while getting bigger and learning the game further but the long term potential is strong and I believe the Mercer staff will get the best out of this Mid-Tennessee product.    - - - - -    (OT/G) [player_tooltip player_id='1592127' first='Carmello' last='Peoples'] - Tyner Academy   * Committed to Western Ky *   - Considered one of the top O-line prospects from the greater Chattanooga area, Peoples earned his way to college with continuous development and work as he found his future home in Western Kentucky. The Rams big man recently committed to the Hilltoppers after a long process and receiving feedback from a lot of college programs. Peoples ultimately chose Western Ky over Georgia St and interest from many others. The Hilltoppers coaching staff pursued Peoples due to his upside to handle tackle in college but at worst, develop him into a big bodied, physical offensive guard. There is strong long term potential residing with this East Tennessee big man, so I can see why they were in pursuit and why the Hilltoppers wanted Peoples a part of their 2027 recruiting class.    Talent Acquisition: Time will be needed for Peoples to continue forming into his body while getting acclimated to the college game but one day, the Toppers could be landing a physical mauler in the run game with pass protecting upside. Peoples brings excellent size to the field (6'6 295 lbs) with a body frame that can still be added to and formed. This guy is a good athlete with nice bend and the ability to get out of his stance quickly and into his opponent. The Rams senior displays solid footwork that can be improved upon. The biggest area for improvement is with his power and explosive blocking. Sustaining a starting job is critical of many things but certainly adding more power and overall strength are at the top. We have Peoples ranked lower than his commitment may show as we see a lot of needed development with him but I do like the long term upside that could shine somewhere across the Western Ky offensive line one day.    - - - - -    (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1815536' first='Jayden' last='Agberodiola'] - Rockvale   * Committed to Maryland *   - The Terrapins have made it a point to recruit the Volunteer State this cycle and they might have added one of the best long term potential prospects from our TN2027 class in Agberodiola. The Rockets defensive tackle is a wide bodied, powerful space eater that has the overall look of a Big Ten Conference performer. Plenty of strong offers ended up coming towards Agberodiola but after officially visiting Maryland and spending quality time around the staff, he committed to Terps and I believe he will remain strong with them till signing day. Before choosing to commit to Maryland, this Murfreesboro area big man chose the Terrapins over offers from Arkansas, Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Memphis, Missouri, South Florida and Vanderbilt. I do foresee programs continuing to come after Agberodiola because it's hard to find defensive tackles that are athletic with outstanding girth and size and the Rockets big man has those traits with tons of upside left to be fulfilled.    Talent Acquisition: Ranked as the 32nd overall prospect in the state and 2nd among the defensive linemen, Agberodiola is a talented young man with all the physical tools and traits to excel during his time at Maryland. Standing 6 '3 315 pounds, the Rockets senior is a massive, wide bodied gap eater on the interior that can plug up running lanes or disrupt the backfield. Agberodiola is an athletic guy for someone his size that can keep getting better in that area with further development. He does need to work on his bend while enhancing his lower half agility but the power is already in place to eat up double teams. I do think it will take some time for the Rockets senior to get acclimated to college ball but down the road, I think Agberodiola will form into a multi-year starter with All-Conference potential that could take his game into the pro ranks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/jagberodiola.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2237592" style="aspect-ratio:1.132758213808113;width:296px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='904730' first='Velon' last='Henderson'] - Oakland   * Committed to Western Ky *    - Tall, long and rangy with position versatility, that's what Western Ky saw in Henderson and the Hilltoppers proved to be the team to beat as Henderson pledged his services to play his college ball in Bowling Green. Throughout the process and into the offseason months, the Patriots two-way standout stayed quiet about his recruitment but eventually, Western Ky proved to be the top team for someone that has long term upside. Henderson chose the Hilltoppers over offers from the D1 and FCS level and interest from several Power Four programs. The Hilltoppers coaching staff is banking on the long term potential with Henderson as he has yet to master one side of the field but has the physical tools and traits to develop and potentially excel at either receiver or defensive back.    Talent Acquisition: As we go into the 2026 season, it will be interesting to see how Henderson has developed over the offseason and where he has progressed the most. What the Toppers are getting is an unrefined athlete that has an excellent combination of height and length along with a wide radius. He sports a frame too that can take on a lot more weight. Instinctive game play is something that stands out to me when breaking down his film. The way Henderson is built, he looks like more of a receiver but in my scouting, I'm starting to lean towards defense where I think he may have more upside as a defensive back. The Patriots senior is a true developmental prospect that the Western Ky staff is leaning on for his long term upside. I can see Henderson making an impact down the road but a lot of development is left to go before he can fulfill his potential.    - - - - -    (CB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1909567' first='Mar'Shaun' last='Fletcher'] - White House-Heritage   * Committed to Mercer *   - The Bears pulled in two commitments in this article with this one coming from a guy that I think will take a big rise in our Fall rankings update due to his upside to handle cover corner on the next level. Fletcher committed to Mercer after officially visiting the Bears and falling in-line with the plan set forth for him by the coaching staff. The Patriots senior two-way talent decided on Mercer over offers from Arkansas St., Austin Peay, Eastern Ky, ETSU and Jackson State. I think he made a good choice as I like the fit between Fletcher and the Bears. I believe the staff likes him for defense where playing on the island is something Fletcher might be able to handle. If not, he provides versatility at nickel, safety and even on special teams as a possible return man or gunner. He is a good receiver as well, who produced over 1,000 yards last year as a junior.    Talent Acquisition: There is a possibility that Mercer might have landed a starting cover corner here with Fletcher but that all depends on his continued development in the coming years. A natural athlete that shows explosive flashes, Fletcher is a quick footed, instinctive ball player that runs well, showing the ability to flip his hips and stay on path with his opponent. His reactions to the ball are quick but the Patriots senior will also play through the action to tackle as well. Due to his athletic abilities, I could see Fletcher excelling all over the secondary, even if cornerback doesn't work out. Time will be needed for Fletcher to get bigger and stronger while learning how to play in the secondary much further but the raw athletic tools are in place for this Mid-Tennessee product to form into a potential lockdown corner during his time at Mercer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/mfletcher3.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-2237588" style="aspect-ratio:0.8005930318754633;width:233px;height:auto" /></figure>