#TN2025 Small Town Standouts (Part Three)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The state of Tennessee is as deep as it's ever been, meaning we get to go further w/ our "Small Town" series that looks at prospects that come from area's that may not be heavily recruited but sport some talented ball players! </h2>     (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='611895' first='Jakyri' last='McClure'] - Mt. Pleasant   - Big and powerful with good feet and strong vision, McClure is a small town stud that has the chops to compete for Class 2A Mr. Football this season as well as boost his recruiting stock. This 6'1 200 plus pound ball carrier brings nice physicality to his running back position with the ability to break through tackles and continue pushing forward. McClure fits the role of a 1st, 2nd down and short yardage back that can keep the chains moving while also being a threat to score in the red zone due to his physicality. If the Tigers senior back can increase his speed this off-season, McClure could see a spike with his recruitment and become a steal for whoever he signs with.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk'] - Upperman    - Coming off a stellar junior season that helped push his Bees team to the 4A title game, Palk returns for his senior year with aspirations at getting Upperman back into championship contention while also competing for Mr. Football honors. Palk is a compact, physically well built ball carrier that simply gets the job done and someone you can depend on game in and game out. He is tough to corral and deal with due to his low center of gravity and physical strength. Palk can run through the mesh and find his way on the other side and into the open field. This may not be the flashiest of prospects but Palk is steady and definite Mr. Football sleeper headed into the 2024 season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EthanPalk/status/1779511826910183922 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1102529' first='Dalton' last='Hancock'] - Gordonsville   - Standing 6'2 185 pounds with length, Hancock is one of the more intriguing small town standouts we have from the #TN2025 class that could be a sneaky contender for Mr. Football this year with a banner senior season. Both the Tigers star receiver on offense and safety on defense, Hancock is the team's go-to target as well as their ball hawk on the back end that consistently makes big plays. His physical traits set him apart on offense against 1A competition where his size and breakaway speed takes over. I think receiver is his calling card in the college ranks but Hancock could develop at safety or the hybrid defensive back/linebacker that many defenses run with these days. This is a good “football player” that is definitely under the radar but talented enough for the big stage.    - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='466286' first='Xander' last='McCormick'] - Warren Co.    - McCormick may be a small town star but he has already jumped out of the shadows and into the spotlight as one of the better offensive guard prospects coming out of the #TN2025 class. A brute mauler with interior O-line versatility, McCormick looks the part of a college guy and his film shows it as well. The Pioneers senior lineman does nice work in the trenches by displacing his opponent off the line and either driving him back or into the ground. He is a good athlete too that could develop nicely at center as well as dominate at offensive guard. McCormick should sign with a D1 program by the time we get into December and continue boosting his stock as one of the better interior O-linemen from our in-state senior class.    - - - - -    (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='841242' first='Will' last='Borgens'] - Westview   - A multi year starter for his Chargers team, Borgens heads into the 2024 season as one of the more experienced interior O-lineman we have from the #TN2025 class and someone that could handle both guard or center on the next level. The biggest thing that stands out about this West Tennessee lineman is his power and strength up front along with his ability to wall up his opponent, maintaining the line of scrimmage. Borgens is a winner too. He has been a part of a lot of winning during his time at Westview, so he knows how to get the job done. This coming senior year will be critical towards getting himself into the college game and his play will dictate which level that will be.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WBorgens_76/status/1783665265474970033 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DL/OL) [player_tooltip player_id='832834' first='Taysean' last='Johnson'] - Hardin Co.    - Tall and long with a nice frame to pack on more weight, Johnson is an under the radar talent coming out of a strong Hardin County program that has been producing college talent of late and this 6 '3 lineman could be the next guy. Things have been quiet so far this off-season for Johnson but the film shows a talented guy with athleticism, length and a versatile skill set that could develop nicely on either side of the line. What Johnson could develop into in college is a 3-tech defensive tackle or nose guard with added weight, which would allow his athletic skills to shine. The Tigers lineman needs more time to grow and mature but the raw talent is there.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='560460' first='Avery' last='McCormick'] - Adamsville   - For almost two years now, this small town star has been on the recruiting radar as one of the better linebacker prospects coming out of the West Tennessee region and he has continued to see his stock rise over these off-season months. McCormick is a tall and long athletic backer that brings a variety of skills to the playing field that translate well to the next level. This is a rangy guy that can work the middle and make tackles sideline to sideline or be placed on the edge and work upfield towards the quarterback. This coming senior year could be huge as McCormick has looked sharp this off-season and looks poised for his best season yet inside a Cardinals uniform as well as someone dedicated to making it to the college gridiron.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ave_Mak/status/1772958813718557030 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett'] - Marion Co.   - For one reason or another, this outer Chattanooga area prospect has yet to see his recruitment take-off but Pickett is legit and one of the more talented players coming out of his region for the #TN2025 class. The Warriors senior two-way talent brings natural athletic abilities to the playing field that could translate well at either running back, slot receiver or defensive back in college. Where I personally like Pickett best is on offense running the ball in the backfield where his speed and strength can be on full display. This “Scenic City” prospect can develop into a 3 down back in college with continued development and I think will be a steal for whoever gets on board with him and his next level potential.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1142019' first='Jackson' last='Tate'] - Sequatchie Co.   - Sitting quietly under the radar, this Chattanooga area two-way product has put together a solid off-season thus far by taking his game to another level while boosting his overall football knowledge. Tate is a consistent, steady performer that provides a versatile skill set that could translate both to receiver or safety inside the college game. The Indians senior prospect is an athletic guy with a good vert and strong hands along with a frame that can push on more weight. Tate's biggest attribute may be his football knowledge and dedication to the game. This guy has captain material written all over him along with the upside to excel on either side of the ball.    - - - - -    (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='480800' first='Isaac' last='Moore'] - Camden Central   - Holding a couple of offers in hand already, Moore heads into the summer camp season as a definite small town star that could take his recruitment to another level with continued progression both in camps and his upcoming senior season. The Lions senior product is well put together physically with good overall size (6'2 185) and the ability to develop at either receiver or safety in college. Playing in the small town of Camden and against the competition the Lions face, Moore is almost always one of the top guys on the field but his work in summer camps is what will push his stock forward. It will be interesting to see how things play out for Moore as I could see more and more schools get involved with this Mid-TN talent sooner than later.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IsaacMo7777/status/1767359745478844762 </div></figure>