Fall Preview: East-TN Breakout Juniors 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As the season quickly approaches, here we go through ten junior prospects that could be on the verge of breaking out the season and pushing their college stocks to new heights. We start in the East Tennessee region where it looks strong for the 2028 cycle with multiple Power Four, D1 caliber guys that might become household names by the end of the Fall football year. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='2227596' first='Pearson' last='Harrison'] - Science Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sporting college level size and a right arm that can place the ball wherever he wants, Harrison is a talented passer that will be under center this Fall as a first time starter but a quarterback that displays next level abilities. Watching this guy develop over the off-season months, the Hilltoppers junior shows physical abilities and traits that translate well to the college game and yet still has higher levels to go with his game. Harrison does need to enhance his athleticism while learning defensive windows better but the raw tools are there to become a high valued recruit. I am banking on this East Tennessee product having a breakthrough junior season that puts Harrison on the map as one of the better pocket passers coming out of the TN2028 class and someone that could have a long sustainable college career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2263481,"width":"197px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/pharrison2-e1785526082838.jpg?w=469" alt="" class="wp-image-2263481" style="width:197px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2233354' first='Ryheem' last='Lee Jr.'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring to Catholic in the off-season from Knox. West, this East Tennessee ball carrier is coming off a 925 yard, 12 touchdown season with the Rebels but I could see him expanding those numbers this Fall and establishing himself as a legit next level prospect. Compact and strong with a powerful lower base, Lee Jr. is a tough dude to grasp onto, especially in the open field that breaks tackles easily while showing enough speed to separate. I like the talent and upside with Lee but I wonder how many touches he will get this season with Catholic having plenty of offensive weapons. Regardless, I like what Lee Jr. brings to the gridiron as his running style translates to the college platform and I believe he has higher levels to his game that maybe he taps into this coming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1942269' first='Amarion' last='Graves'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Already ranked inside the Prep Redzone Tennessee “Top 65” prospects, Graves is someone I am quite bullish on and think can break out in a big way this season as one of the better slot receivers in the state. The Fighting Irish wideout is a compact, strong individual that works through physical contact well then allows his natural pass catching abilities to take over. Graves also runs well, showing separation after the catch. He can take a short reception and turn it into a long gain or simply beat his man deep. Increasing his route running while adding a little more speed and sudden movements to his game would do wonders for his stock. I believe after this coming season, Graves will become a highly valued prospect that could garner interest from D1, possible Power Four programs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OT) [player_tooltip player_id='2090696' first='Caden' last='Gang'] - Alcoa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- All my scouting knowledge points towards Gang having a standout junior season with the Tornadoes that should get him squarely onto the Power Four radar, as long as he stays healthy. This 6'5 blocker has the look and athletic skill set to develop into one of the better offensive tackle prospects we have from our in-state junior class that can push his game to new heights this coming season. Gang displays nice bend and excellent footwork that allows him to stay in front of his defender then finish the play with controlled violence. The Tornadoes big man is still far from a finished product as he needs to continue developing his game while packing on more size but the tools are certainly there for Gang to obtain multiple high level college offers while maintaining his status as a “Top 50” junior prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1727798' first='Dillon' last='Hartman'] - Greeneville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Currently ranked as the tenth best O-line prospect from our junior in-state class, Hartman has a chance to boost his stock even further with a stand out junior season. The Green Devils big man is viewed by us as one of the best guard prospects from the TN2028 crop that brings physicality and interior versatility to the field that works well on the next level. Hartman is a space eater, a wide bodied blocker that gets low and into his opponent then drives him off the ball. This 6'4 O-lineman is better suited right now as a run blocker but I see potential with his pass protecting down the line. Hartman does need to form his body, trim things up a good bit but the raw power and physicality are there to eventually carve out a multi-year starting gig on the college stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2263487,"width":"236px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/dhartman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2263487" style="width:236px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE/OT) [player_tooltip player_id='2231361' first='Tripp' last='White'] - Seymour</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Not many college coaches or other scouts know too much about this East Tennessee lineman but I do and I see a future in college for White as long as he continues to develop at a proper rate. The Eagles junior defensive end stands about 6'4 250 pounds with room to get much bigger and stronger. How he performs this coming season will dictate a lot with his next level possibilities. I personally see upside with him as a college defensive end that sets the edge versus the run while also providing the occasional pass rush. I could also see White getting bigger and turning into an offensive lineman. It will be interesting to see what White has done to progress his game further and how much impact he makes on the game as I like the tools he brings to the field and what he can become down the road.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2225069' first='Orlando' last='Mack'] - West Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Wolves have a lot of unknowns about their team headed into the 2026 season but one guy that is established as a top team player is this East Tennessee linebacker that presents physical abilities and tools that translates to the college game. Mack brings good size to the field (6'3 210) along with a versatile skill set that allows him to work the middle or line up off the edge. I see potential with Mack as a situational pass rusher while also doing solid work against the run. The Wolves linebacker also runs well with room to get faster, more explosive. He does need to keep gaining more weight and filling out his frame but the athletic tools are there to become one of the better linebacker prospects coming out of the TN2028 class that might be able to work his way into D1 status.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2263488,"width":"224px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/omack.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2263488" style="width:224px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1578457' first='Donovan' last='Lloyd'] - Knox. Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the better workers we have coming out of the in-state junior class is this East Tennessee defender that brings versatility to the secondary but does show flashes of being able to handle the island. Lloyd is an athletic technician that does runs well, showing good footwork and a nimble lower base that may allow him to play cornerback on the college stage. Over the off-season months, Lloyd has worked extremely hard to push himself further and provide himself an opportunity to handle cover corner in the future but at worst, his versatility will allow him to play almost anywhere in the defensive backfield. I also see special teams value with the Spartans junior as well. Lloyd does need to get bigger and stronger while maintaining his development but I think he is headed towards a breakout junior year that forces college coaches to look in his direction.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='2179329' first='Isaiah' last='Coclough'] - Dobyns-Bennett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coclough is flying under the radar right now but is a prospect I believe could be ready for a breakout year that shows his next level abilities at cover corner. Standing 6 '1 with long arms and slender frame, the Indians rising junior has the physical traits that college coaches desire at cornerback while also sporting natural athletic abilities that can be developed much further over time. Coclough is an important player for his Indians team this year that probably won't leave the field too much, so he should receive ample enough time to prove his worth and show his ability to lock down one side of the field. More size is definitely needed for Coclough but the raw cover abilities appear to be in-place to see his stock soar with a standout junior campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1178599' first='Zach' last='Banks'] - Sevier Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Smoky Bears have been producing some solid college talent the last few years and I think Banks is the next guy to watch out for and someone I see poised for a breakout junior year. Standing 6 '2 190 plus pounds, Banks has the desired size to excel on the next level as well as the instincts to make him a ball hawking safety with excellent range. When you turn on the film, you see impressive size and ball skills along with the overall tools to potentially become a D1 caliber guy. What I need to see from the Smoky Bears safety this Fall is increased agility, burst and speed. If Banks can develop those areas further, I could see some big time programs increase their interest and turn this East Tennessee product into a highly desired in-state prospect.&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='1178594' first='Keith' last='Jones Jr.']</strong> - Gibbs, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704644' first='Avery' last='Belitz'] </strong>- Kingston, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132912' first='Jack' last='Ferguson']</strong> - Boyd Buchanan, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835474' first='Anderson' last='Glover']</strong> - GCA, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2101201' first='Braydon' last='Collins']</strong> - Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2239661,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/zbanks.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2239661" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->