Commitment Tracker: College Destinations Selected

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Back in the lab to break down more in-state commitments, here we go through eight prospects that recently made college decisions and how they fit with their next level homes. All eight of these guys are ranked inside our "Tennessee Top 300" with a chance to boost their stocks with strong senior seasons. </h2>     (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1652877' first='Jack' last='Van Orman'] - CPA    * Committed to Missouri St. *   - Sporting college level size with a strong right arm and unfulfilled potential, Van Orman is an intriguing prospect for the next level that could have his best football days ahead of him and I think the Missouri St. staff sees that too. The Lions signal caller was a first time starter last year where he had some ups and downs but by the end of the year, you could see his continued progression and I think that helped his overall recruitment. Van Orman built on that this off-season, showing improvement with multiple areas throughout his game. Missouri St. decided to go all-in on the Lions quarterback and his upside within their offense. This Mid-Tennessee product ultimately chose the Bears over offers from Eastern Ky, MTSU, North Alabama and Tennessee State. If Van Orman puts together an impressive senior year, I wouldn't be surprised to see other D1 programs show interest before signing day.    Talent Acquisition: There is a possibility that down the road, Missouri St. might have found their future starting quarterback in Van Orman. This guy brings the physical tools and traits to the playing field that can be developed into a D1 caliber starter. The first thing that pops for me on Van Orman is his clean mechanics and arm strength that allows him to make tough throws. The Lions senior is a smooth passer that displays accuracy, good ball placement and the ability to push the ball down field. I'm interested to see how he performs this Fall because I've followed his progression this off-season where I have seen improved power and zip. I think it may take a few years for Van Orman to get acclimated while continuing to improve but I think in time, this Mid-Tennessee product could find himself under center, starting for the Bears.    - - - - -    (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson'] - Melrose   * Committed to Western Ky *   - The Hilltoppers dipped into Tennessee to pick up several Volunteer State commitments with Jackson being one of them and a player the Western Ky staff targeted as someone they desired to have in this year's recruiting class. This Memphis area prospect has played a lot of snaps with his Golden Wildcats ball club, including reaching the state title game two years ago. Jackson is a talented ball player that still has higher levels to his game and I think the Hilltoppers staff sees that long term potential and what he can become down the road. It was kind of an up and down recruitment for Jackson that saw times of great interest along with some slow points but eventually, he found his home with Western Kentucky. Before choosing the Hilltoppers, Jackson considered offers from Alabama A&M, Austin Peay, ETSU, Liberty, Samford, Southern Miss and Tennessee State.    Talent Acquisition: Ranked 12th among the senior receivers, Jackson is a naturally athletic pass catcher that brings a nice combination of size and speed to the field that translates well to the college game. The Golden Wildcats senior is a true outside receiver that uses his physical build to his advantage and has no problem making contested catches. He also shows speed separation on occasions with room to get faster. Jackson does have it in him to hit the home run but I can also see where the Melrose wideout can get quicker, faster overall. Working on his route running is another area that needs improvement before he is starter ready. I do like the long term potential with Jackson based around his athletic upside. I think he fits well with the Western Ky offense where he can strictly learn to play on the outside and use his god gifted physical tools and traits to excel.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/tavjackson3-e1784395445865.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2250614" style="aspect-ratio:1.3653603034134008;width:263px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1753840' first='Maddox' last='McClure'] - Baylor   * Committed to Austin Peay *   - The Governors dipped into the Chattanooga area to pull in one of the better O-line athletes from our TN2027 class that could develop at multiple interior positions within the Austin Peay front five. Ranked as the 22nd best O-lineman in our senior class, McClure is a talented big man with a lot of long term potential that the Austin Peay staff viewed as a must get on the recruiting trail. Baylor is known for producing high caliber offensive linemen, so the Govs knew they would be pursuing a well coached prospect but I think they got something more than that as McClure brings several quality football traits to the field that translates well to the college game. Late in the spring, McClure started to see his recruitment pick up but eventually he chose Austin Peay over other offers from Central Arkansas, ETSU, Gardner-Webb and UT-Martin. I do expect McClure to sign with Austin Peay but if he puts together a strong senior campaign, I could see D1 programs looking to get involved.    Talent Acquisition: I personally think that Austin Peay got a potential steal here with McClure. The Red Raiders senior is one of the better athletes you will find from our senior crop and the great thing about McClure is that he has plenty of room to get bigger and stronger while maintaining his athleticism. This 6'4 big man has excellent bend and he fires off the ball quickly, getting his opponent and driving them off the ball. McClure is a tenacious blocker that plays with a mean streak and controlled violence. I can see where the Red Raiders big man develops at either guard or center on the next level with enough athleticism to handle tackle if needed. His versatility alone I think provides value for Austin Peay but they may be getting a future starter with McClure as well, it just depends on his growth and continued development  in the United Athletic Conference.    - - - - -    (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='904973' first='Zachais' last='Ratliff'] - Southwind   * Committed to Louisiana Tech *   - Going both ways on the line of scrimmage for his Jaguars team, Ratliff appears to be headed to Louisiana Tech as a D-lineman and I can certainly see the upside there, even though we have this Memphis prospect ranked for the offensive side of the ball. Ratliff is a raw but talented young man that has the physical tools and traits to develop nicely on the college level and potentially become a multi-year starter with the Bulldogs. Throughout his high school career, Ratliff has steadily gotten better to become a “Top 150” prospect here in Tennessee with potentially his best football days ahead of him. This West Tennessee product ultimately committed to Louisiana Tech over offers from the likes of Austin Peay, Jacksonville St., Miami Ohio, MTSU, Missouri St., North Alabama, Samford and UT-Martin. I like the decision for Ratliff going with the Bulldogs because their staff should give him time to grow his body and develop into what the Jaguars big man can become and that's an impact defensive lineman.    Talent Acquisition: Louisiana Tech might have found a future starter with Ratliff but he is going to need time to develop into himself and his game before he is ready to make a big impact. I do like the long term potential due to his size, length and athletic profile that can be enhanced over time. Ratliff comes off the snap well, using his long arms to keep lineman off his body then gets after the ball with his agile lower base. The way his body is built and how he performs, I like Ratliff best as a true defensive end that sets the edge versus the run while providing the occasional pass rush. I could also see this Memphis area product gaining a lot more weight and moving to the interior. It just depends on how Ratliff continues to grow and how the Louisiana Tech coaching staff wants to use him. I still stand on the fact that I personally like this big man best on offense because that's where I see his greatest upside but I can see where the Bulldogs staff likes him on defense and what they can form him into.    - - - - -    (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup'] - Cannon Co.    * Committed to Maryland *   - The Terrapins might have landed not just a future starter here with Walkup but someone with the potential to become an All-Conference performer down the road with a possible future beyond the college ranks. As long as Walkup continues to progress in the right direction, I can see him competing on the NFL stage one day due to his physical size and unique ability to get after the quarterback. I think the Maryland coaching staff sees that potential as well. Ranked as the 48th best prospect inside our senior class, Walkup has a chance to boost his stock further with a strong senior campaign and I think he is due for a highly productive year. Before deciding on the Terrapins, Walkup considered offers from Bowling Green, Jacksonville St., Liberty, Miami Ohio, MTSU, Mississippi St., South Florida, Toledo and Western Kentucky. Walkup is a highly talented prospect that may garner more Power Four interest with a strong Fall season but eventually, I do expect him to play his college ball in the Big Ten Conference with Maryland.    Talent Acquisition: Some of the best raw pass rushing upside inside our “Tennessee Top 300” resides with Walkup. Standing 6'4 250 plus pounds, the Lions defensive end has the frame and physical size that translates to the Power Four level. He also has plenty of room to gain more weight and become more physical at the point of attack. What really stands out about Walkup is his initial burst off the snap, his bend coming around the corner and his closing speed towards the ball. For someone his size, Walkup moves very well, showing the foot speed to become a major disruptor on the college stage. While the tools and traits stand out in a big way, Walkup still needs time to develop and form into who I think he can become down the road. It may take a year or two for Walkup to build his body up while learning the college game before he is ready to become a full time starter but in time, I believe he will have a shot at earning All-Conference honors.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/zwalkup2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2250618" style="aspect-ratio:1.3689948028901002;width:300px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1590238' first='Ryland' last='Harris'] - Germantown   * Committed to Missouri St. *   - Throughout the offseason recruiting process, Harris stayed quiet, so we didn't know a whole lot about what was going on but behind the scenes, college programs were showing interest, including Missouri St., who ended up landing this Memphis area defensive end that has a shot to become an impactful performer down the road. The Bears coaching staff targeted Harris and saw him as a prospect that not only fit within their defensive system but also displayed upside to become a productive sack artist somewhere in the near future. The Red Devils senior received a solid bit of interest along with picking up offers from Chattanooga, ETSU, Georgia St., Jackson St., UNLV and UT-San Antonio before deciding on Missouri State. I could see bigger programs becoming interested if Harris produces a big senior year but eventually, I expect this “Top 100” prospect to sign with the Bears. This addition may prove to be a steal down the road, as long as Harris progresses in the right direction.    Talent Acquisition: What the Bears are getting with this West Tennessee product is a true defensive end prospect that has enough athleticism to stand up if needed and rush the passer while also providing solid work at stopping the run. The Red Devils defender shows active, strong hands at the point of attack then does well at shedding blocks and maneuvering his way into the backfield. Harris plays hard, plays physical but could certainly gain more muscle and size to become more stout against bigger O-linemen. I like how he sets the edge to string the run game out to the sidelines. If Harris is to become an All-Conference caliber player with Missouri St., he needs to enhance his lower half agility, bend and explosiveness while cranking up his motor and gaining the proper weight. I do like the long term tools with Harris and what he can become on the college level.    - - - - -    (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1705068' first='Jace' last='Boyd'] - Alcoa   * Committed to Bowling Green *   - One of the bigger surprise summer commitments we saw came from this East Tennessee edge rusher that made a big impression with Bowling Green that the Falcons wanted him on board and Boyd obliged. Transferring to Alcoa from William Blount in the off-season, Boyd is an intriguing prospect that does bring college size to the field along with a versatile skill set that works well playing on the end of the line. The Tornadoes senior committed to the Falcons over offers from MTSU, Samford and UT-Marin. The Bowling Green coaching staff sees the long term potential with Boyd and who he can become in college with further work on the playing field and inside their weight room. Being that this senior defender is currently committed to a D1 program, I would not be surprised to see others show interest before signing day, especially if Boyd shows improvement throughout the coming season.    Talent Acquisition: This coming Fall season will be interesting to watch when it comes to Boyd and how much he has progressed since last year. We currently have the Tornadoes senior ranked 286th overall and 16th among the edge rushers due to needing increased athleticism, agility and speed while continuing to grow his body. Boyd has the physical tools you look for on the college level but he has yet to develop his lower half that will be needed to excel on the D1 playing stage. I do see the potential however and I think the Falcons coaching staff sees it as well. As long as Boyd keeps working, I can see a future edge setter here versus the run that provides occasional pass rush for the Bowling Green defense. This is a high character young man as well, so I don't think there will be a problem with his work ethic and his desire to get better.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] - USJ    * Committed to Memphis *    - The Memphis coaching staff targeted Stamper early on and stayed engaged throughout until this West Tennessee product decided to roll with the Tigers. Ranked as the 10th best defensive back prospect in the state, Stamper committed to Memphis over offers from Army, Chattanooga, Florida International, Kennesaw St., MTSU, Navy, Tennessee St. and UT-Martin along with interest from several others. The Bruins talented safety prospect chose the Tigers due to comfortability with the staff and their vision for him inside their secondary. I think it's a good fit for both parties where Stamper should be given the opportunity to learn and develop early on before he is expected to take on a bigger role as I do see a future starter here. I could also see other programs look to get involved before he signs because you can't teach 6'4 while having the arm length and wide radius that Stamper has, so more offers might arrive with a strong senior campaign   Talent Acquisition: Tall and long with ball hawk tendencies, Stamper is a good add by the Tigers that I think could pay off big down the road. First and foremost, the Bruins senior is a high character young man that loves football and works hard. That kind of mentality can take Stamper a long way in football as well as in the classroom. This is a high football IQ prospect that plays a smart brand of football while allowing his athleticism to shine. Stamper reads and reacts well, showing a nice first step and breaks on the ball along with the willingness to tackle. You can see good range with Stamper as well. More work is needed in the weight room to get bigger and stronger but the raw athletic tools are there for this West Tennessee prospect to not only start one day for Memphis but potentially form into an All-Conference caliber player. This was a good pickup by the Tigers and a player that could boost his stock with a strong senior year.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-4-37-38-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767637932.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2099449" style="width:315px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: USJ DB [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>