Fall Preview: Mid-TN Breakout Juniors  

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our TN2028 class shows a lot of potential within the greater Middle Tennessee area with several prospects already being household names while others are still searching for their first offers. Below are ten players that we feel are on the verge of breaking out this season and if they do, a recruiting surge may come their way! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1196806' first='Tate' last='Mathis'] - Nash. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Eagles just sent a quarterback to the Power Four level and they might have another one on their hands in Mathis. A first time starter this year, this Mid-Tennessee signal caller already shows the arm talent and skill set worthy of college looks but has yet to gain traction on the recruiting scene. I think that changes this Fall after Mathis debuts as the starter and produces a big season. It's hard to replace a guy like <strong>Jared Curtis </strong>but Mathis may be a better pure passer compared to his predecessor and if that turns out to be true, the Eagles quarterback should gain plenty of interest from Power Four, D1 schools. The competition Mathis will face won't be the best but he will be able to show his upside as a passer that can spin it anywhere he wants to while also displaying his athleticism in and out of the pocket. I like the upside with Mathis and what he brings to the field, so it will be interesting to see how he performs this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] - Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last season as a sophomore, Nance got a taste of the spotlight but he should receive a full dose this year as the team's top ball carrier. He will be sharing carries with a senior transfer but I expect Nance to be used early and often due to his explosiveness and speed. The Blaze junior running back is a home run threat anytime the ball touches his hands. Nance shows excellent vision with a quick burst into the open field then separates with his speed. The biggest thing Nance needed to work on this off-season was hitting the weight room and getting bigger, so it will be interesting to see how much he has formed his body for the season ahead. Nance has gained a little bit of interest from college coaches thus far but I think it increases after the Fall football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1939297,"width":"274px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.2352386126440398","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-07-2025-4-05-15-PM.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1939297" style="aspect-ratio:1.2352386126440398;width:274px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kyle Wolfe kyle_flickz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1030581' first='Ja'Vonni' last='Malone'] - Oakland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Out of all the prospects on the current Oakland roster, Malone may have the biggest upside of them all due to his athleticism and game breaking speed. This rising junior receiver who can take snaps at running back brings a versatile skill set to the field that translates well to the next level but Malone has yet to break through on the recruiting scene. I think that starts to change this Fall where Malone should establish himself as the team's top pass catcher and top home run threat that can work on the outside or out of the slot. Besides currently being ranked as a top ten receiver by Prep Redzone Tennessee, the Patriots playmaker could be one of the better return men from his TN2028 class as well. We are quite bullish on Malone and his upside for the college stage, so it's just a matter of time before his stock blows up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2233971' first='Dominick' last='Williams Jr.'] - Nash. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming to Nash. Christian from Waverly Central during the off-season, Williams might prove to be a big addition for the Eagles offense due to his athleticism and ability to play several roles out wide. This Mid-Tennessee product has been on my radar for a while as I liked what Williams did during his time at Waverly. Williams is a big play guy that can get behind defenders and make plays deep down field but also work the intermediate routes and turn short passes into long gains. The Eagles junior pass catcher is a crafty guy that knows how to get open and generate yards after the catch. Getting bigger while increasing his speed are the two areas Williams must work on to push his game to new heights. Coming to Nash. Christian may get more eyes on his abilities and kick open the door to his recruitment because I think Williams is legit and could develop into a breakout star this coming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2326305,"width":"207px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8212927756653993","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/domwilliams-e1786468819239.jpg?w=841" alt="" class="wp-image-2326305" style="aspect-ratio:0.8212927756653993;width:207px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (OT) [player_tooltip player_id='2166201' first='Bryson' last='Hardy'] - Pope Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Headed into the 2026 season, I think Hardy is one of the bigger under the radar junior prospects we have from the Mid-Tennessee and maybe the state due to his upside to handle the blindside in college. When you have the physical size (6'6 275) and traits that Hardy does, college offers usually come your way but that has yet to happen. I think that's mainly because coaches are waiting to see how he performs early on this season and how much better he has gotten since last year. I'm expecting the Knights big man to impress and show college programs that he has athleticism, arm length and footwork to handle left tackle on the next level. Hardy does need to keep getting bigger and stronger while continuing to learn how to handle the pass rush but he is dripping with potential and I believe will see that this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='983676' first='Khris' last='Rice'] - Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Moving to Brentwood Academy in the off-season, Rice sits under the radar right now but could really break through this coming Fall where he establishes himself as a D-line disruptor that can line up in a variety of roles. The Eagles junior defender is a strong, sturdy young man that has gotten bigger and stronger during the off-season and could be poised for a breakout year. Rice is physical at the point of attack, doing a good job of stacking blockers then releasing quickly towards the ball. Flashes of pass rush upside are seen with this Mid-Tennessee that I think could work at defensive end or the 3-tech tackle role. I do like Rice as an edge setter versus the run but I can see the appeal with using his pass rush abilities on the interior as well. It will be interesting to see how Rice is used this season but regardless, I like what he brings to the field and who he could become in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1177924' first='Langston' last='Robinson'] - Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Yet to receive his first college offer, Robinson is at the top of the list for me when it comes to breakout stars this season as he will be healthy and set to be featured as a main player on the Mustangs defense. Standing 6 '4 225 pounds, Robinson has the look and feel of a next level edge rusher with an athletic skill set and the room to get bigger. This Mid-Tennessee product has put in a lot of work this off-season to develop his body and enhance his athleticism and I believe it will begin to show over the next few months. The biggest thing I'd like to see from Robinson this Fall is more burst and explosion to go along with his power. He has all the tools to excel rushing the backfield with continued hard work and development. I don't know when the offers will come but I totally expect it to happen sooner than later.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2326307,"width":"237px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8964887523864863","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/langrobinson-e1786468997961.jpg?w=918" alt="" class="wp-image-2326307" style="aspect-ratio:0.8964887523864863;width:237px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='2136033' first='Dominic' last='Davis'] - DCA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Davis may come from a small school but he performs like a big league player. When you turn on his sophomore film, you see a fast, quick burst, hard hitting safety that gets downhill and finishes with violence. The Wildcats rising junior has good size too at 6'2 185 pounds and he could get bigger as well. Going into the 2026 season, the biggest thing I'd like to see improvement with is his sideline to sideline range. Davis already runs well but I think he can get faster while enhancing his instincts in the pass game. This coming football year will be big for this Nashville area safety to build off last season and perform even better, showing why is worthy of next level offers. The talent is real for Davis, so I'm excited to see how he has progressed and how close he is to becoming a D1 caliber prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='2148586' first='Max' last='Greene'] - Dickson Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Cougars might have a next level safety on their hands with Greene but his junior season will dictate a lot on how high his stock will soar. Over the off-season months, Greene did a good job of getting out there and getting his name noticed. He did that by displaying excellent instincts, ball hawk like tendencies and the speed that translates well to the college game. Now it's time for the Cougars junior safety to take his abilities into the season and prove it while continuing to develop in the right direction. The biggest thing Greene must show this Fall is increased speed. He runs well already but I can see where Greene does need to get faster, quicker, more explosive and if he does enhance those areas, I could see some Power Four, D1 schools become interested and highly consider offering.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1568928' first='Destin' last='Jones'] - Northeast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A versatile piece in the secondary with potential to play some cover corner, Jones is an interesting talent to keep track of this Fall as a potential breakthrough guy, especially if he can increase his agility and speed. What stands out to me about this Mid-Tennessee prospect is his athletic upside and versatility. I could see Jones lining up at cornerback, nickel or safety on the next level while developing into a key piece on special teams. As it was mentioned above, Jones can run and shows the ability to flip his hips but enhancing his agility and foot speed would do wonders for his game and potentially push his stock higher. I'm excited to see how he has progressed this season and how high he can take his stock because I see a next level here from this Clarksville area performer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Others to Watch: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148583' first='Cayden' last='True']</strong> - Dickson Co., (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2164480' first='Jon' last='Michael Wix']</strong> - Jo Byrns, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2190503' first='Stanley' last='Williams Jr.']</strong> - Battle Creek, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2170492' first='Ben' last='Whittington'] </strong>- Ravenwood, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206394' first='Marlo' last='Nichols']</strong> - MTCS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2235040,"width":"227px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/desjones.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2235040" style="width:227px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->