Scouting Notes: 2026 Corky Kell Classic, Day 1

*Use code "jackson30" for 30% off your PRZ subscription*   Day 1 of the Corky Kell Classic featured some high-flying action and blowouts. Here are the 18 prospects that caught my eye the most after a wild first day in Atlanta.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Gwinnett</h2>    Peoples, as we know, is a live-arm prospect who caught a groove and performed best when he could make quick reads and get the ball out quickly. Where he really impressed me was his creativity. He proved to be a slick, tough runner, resurrecting broken plays and relying on his legs to stay ahead of the chains and keep the offense on schedule. He is traitsy, but this is the most "gamer" like play I have seen from him so far in his HS career.     Christopher Frazier is a stout, physical player planted right in the middle of this South Gwinnett defense. This entire defense flew like a rocket to the ball and gang tackles, but Frazier led the charge and did so consistently, even meeting the back in his own endzone for a safety. He is right in the middle of the action, so if he continues this level of play, he will start the orbit for the rest of the South Gwinnett defense.     What a night for Juniors, who looked the part of a reliable, consistent playmaker for South Gwinnett. He settled down well in space and flashed good hands, but impressed me early on by climbing the ladder and attacking the ball for a leaping grab. Consistency and impressive playmaking ability cross at the intersection here, which means he is in store for a big fall.     Hendon played alongside Juniors as the other major receiving threat on this team. He plays much bigger than listed and made an early TD catch, flashing some juice and action in his routes to separate. He showcased the ability to make plays at each level of the field and competed with the ball in his hands. Expect a breakout season for Hendon.     Jolly has slowly transformed over the course of his career into more of a true NG projection. Even right in the middle of the front, he was active and had his name called several times all night. He is already tough to move, so if he can act as a playmaker for the rest of the season, he has a chance to be a true game-breaker for South Gwinnett. He made a goal line stop early in the game, and at his size, he will make his money in those situations.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lanier</h2>    Vanden Bos is an underrated player who is going to act as the main playcaller for Lanier. He contributed as a pass catcher, ball carrier, and even took some direct snaps. I love what he can do in space. He is a functional athlete who can move, but he is tough and plays with impressive contact balance. You will continue hearing his name this fall, and I think more D1 programs might get involved here down the stretch.     Marshall is another Lanier playmaker with late bloomer potential, and someone who clearly has D1 tools. He is all of 6'3 185, and carries that weight on a lean, cut frame. He is an obvious physical threat who can muscle through routes and win contested spots, but even when the ball didn't get to him, his ability to get behind safeties was on display all night. He can roll, is big, and easy to be sold on.     Ekechukwu was all over the field for Lanier and broke the game in the first place. He was unguardable, outmatching his opponent with an explosive first step and physicality. He is active as well, coming away with a blocked FG in the first quarter and later batting a ball down at the line. He should be leaned on this fall to create negative, momentum-changing plays.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Gwinnett</h2>    While this was the best I have seen Rahman, it wasn't surprising to see him perform this way. If you have followed along here, you know I praised his quick release, anticipation, and patience as a passer. All three of those were on full display. What really raised my eyebrows was his throwing on the move, rifling balls into tight windows and often across his body to hit receivers. Just an incredibly efficient, yet explosive performance to kick off his senior year.     Patterson was recognized by someone on staff as possibly the most valuable player on their team, referencing the number of hats he can wear and his sheer versatility. Well, last night he contributed in-line as a blocker, as a receiver, and even pushed the ball downfield as a passer on a trick play. He looks even bigger this time around and moves really well for his size. If it's even possible, I walk away from last night even more bullish on Patterson.     What a play for [player_tooltip player_id='2251920' first='Evan' last='Hawkins'], who found the end zone several times while generating explosive plays all night. He is a smaller, speedy YAC guy who was on the receiving end of a flea-flicker on the first play from scrimmage. He can wiggle and make defenders miss, but he proved capable of finding grass and getting behind safeties even without the ball in his hands. Hawkins made a name for himself yesterday.     Jackson, who works both ways for North Gwinnett, had an impressive performance at receiver. So much so, that at one point, all I wrote in my notes was "my goodness". He is an explosive, strong, physical player who proves capable of making plays at each level of the field. Jackson had 2 TDs on just 3 grabs, which was enough to draw my praise. He is committed to South Alabama, and what a steal that could be.     Anything I come on here and say at this point about [player_tooltip player_id='1096397' first='Jake' last='Godfree'] will just be a broken record. He is a strong, smart player stuffed right in the middle of this North Gwinnett defense, while also flipping around and playing some offense. I have always thought his activity and ability to play in space was underrated, and he added more context to that with a dagger pick-six early in the second half. Godfree is a tone setter, but don't think he is incapable of playing in space.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grayson</h2>    After watching this game and seeing him in person at Milton, I can confidently say that I expect Bin-Wahad to emerge as the go-to target at Grayson this year. Even at his size, his footwork and wiggle flashes in his routes and allows him to get open. He has better body control and plays more physical than most receivers at his size. In space, he can stop on a dime and also accelerate through change of direction. He is a joystick with and without the ball, and has been reliable thus far.     If Glasco sticks at Uconn, you could make a very legitimate case for that to be the steal of the class. Regardless, it will be hard for Uconn to hang on, because P4 coaches are going to stay involved here. I said it last week, but this kid is truly the prototype. Long, lean, cut, athletic, but he can rally after the ball and strike as well. He is still growing, but I actually think he is pretty polished in coverage. If you're a fan of a P4 school, pay attention here.     Watts is a young guy, but the kid made plays and should blossom into one of the premier playmakers on this team. He is a smaller, speedy, obvious YAC threat who showed off both his suddenness and explosiveness on a long TD grab late in the game. He can really go, and that is where he will make his money, but he also showed that he could contribute vertically as well. Watts is a new name to me and someone I will keep going back to.     Grayson graduated a stable of LBs last year, but don't forget about Black, who is also loaded with over 2 dozen offers. He plays a few different spots, but with his size, a projection to LB makes the most long-term sense. He is a really aggressive player downhill who consistently embraces violent contact. He can play in space as well, so whoever lands Black is getting a well-rounded, toolsy player.     He has tacked on plenty of buzz, but this was my first chance to really see Tillman up close and personal. He is raw and still growing into himself, but the upside is clear, and tools are still present. He is a violent, aggressive player who is quick off the snap and throws violent punches at blockers. He was seen chasing the ball across the field several times. I think there is real speed to power potential. He reminds me of Jared Smith, a 5-star out of the 2025 class who signed with Auburn.

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