Spring Showcase Top Performers: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We had some known names continue to establish themselves with some others, some under the radar guys putting forth strong camp performances to earn "Top Performers" at last weekend's #PRZTN Showcase. </h2>     Defensive Line   [player_tooltip player_id='1281457' first='Tobja' last='Walters Jr'], - Oak Ridge ‘26   - From start to finish, Walters was clearly the most talented D-lineman in attendance as he handled himself well during testing and both in positional work and 1 on 1's. The Wildcats junior trench monster was exceptional during the latter half of camp where O-linemen could not block him as Walters was quick off snap along with some mature pass rush moves. There was no question who the D-line MVP would be!   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1102506' first='Cedarrein' last='Kelly'] - Westwood   - Kelly helped himself big time last Sunday as he ended camp as a Top 3 performer for the D-line position. He earned that status by doing well throughout testing but it was his work in 1 on 1 competition that pushed him towards the top. Kelly showed good quickness of the snap as well as good handwork and a variety of pass rush moves. Continued camp performances like this will go a long way in boosting his stock.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1282479' first='Claudio' last='Vik'] - Coffee Co.   - We as scouts need to take a harder look at this Mid-TN talent as Vik was near unstoppable at the #PRZTN Showcase. This 6'2 interior pass rusher was one of the better athletes throughout the day from the D-line position as it showed during testing, positional work and especially in 1 on'1's, where O-linemen had a problem dealing with Vik's active hands and quickness off the snap.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ClaudioAdamVik/status/1792643896410874048 </div></figure>   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1282475' first='Dawson' last='Carson'] - White House   - One of the bigger surprises on defense for the #PRZTN Spring Showcase, Carson stood out with his work in 1 on 1's where he did a nice job off the edge with his length and lower body quickness. The Blue Devils senior defensive end has nice physical traits that play up on the next level along with a body that can pack on more weight. A big senior year could land this Mid-TN pass rusher college opportunities.    - - - - -    Quise Smith - South Warren (Ky) ‘27   - Coming down to the Boro from Southern Kentucky, Smith established himself as one of the better D-Tackle prospects with his consistent work throughout the entire combine. This is a nimble guy for someone 6 '2 almost 300 pounds that fits the role of nose tackle well. Smith has enough athleticism too to provide an interior pass rush.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/270QUISOO/status/1792659424580104387 </div></figure>   - - - - -    Other Top DL Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='1102507' first='KD' last='Cunningham'] - McKenzie, [player_tooltip player_id='1189145' first='Jamir' last='Turner'] - Alcoa, [player_tooltip player_id='1206484' first='C.J.' last='Wyller'] - Baylor, [player_tooltip player_id='540022' first='Harrison' last='Smith'] - Sequatchie Co. ‘26   - - - - - - - - - -    Linebackers   [player_tooltip player_id='939778' first='Gavin' last='Schaffer'] - Brentwood Academy   - Earning MVP honors for the linebackers, Schaffer had a consistent day where he tested well but it was his positional and 1 on 1 work that sealed the deal. The Eagles senior backer took to directions well, doing everything in a technique sound way that says potential captain on the next level. Another area where he stepped up was his ability to cover 15 to 20 yards down field. It was a stellar day for Schaffer that certainly boosted his stock.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1170987' first='Kavion' last='Yancey'] - Hamilton   - Tall and long with a great body to take on more weight, Yancey was very impressive last Sunday, especially his ability to cover receivers out of the slot and deep down field. The Cats senior defender was one of the more athletic performers at camp that boosted his stock in a big way due to his ability to cover and move with ease while also showing the speed needed to compete on the big stage of college ball.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'] - Cookeville   - Owen came to camp with some strong buzz behind his name and he backed it up by landing among the top performers at his position with excellent work throughout the entire camp. The Cavs backer showed out well during testing and positional work but it was his coverage abilities in 1 on 1 ‘s that stood out to me. This guy is a strong athlete that can run and flip his hips. Owen is still learning the position, so the future is bright with this guy.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BlakeOwen3/status/1792369751202644416 </div></figure>   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1102518' first='Quortez' last='Gilbert'] - Antioch   - This Nashville area prospect was someone I was interested to learn more about and I did as Gilbert is a good athlete that shows good upside in college at inside linebacker. He kicked off his day by doing well during testing then went on to have good showing during positional and 1 on 1 work. Gilbert is a fluid athlete that diagnoses well then attacks. His improvement in pass coverage will go a long ways towards his recruitment picking up.    - - - - -    Other Top LB Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='1280297' first='Wesley' last='Howard'] - Overton, [player_tooltip player_id='219406' first='Braydon' last='Coffelt'] - Marion Co., [player_tooltip player_id='1280293' first='Andy' last='Brock'] - Beech ‘26   - - - - - - - - - -    Defensive Backs   [player_tooltip player_id='1279842' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'] - McMinn Co.   - Sharp had himself a stellar day at the #PRZTN Spring Showcase where this East TN talent came away MVP for the defensive backs and a prospect we scouts need to look harder at moving forward. Where Sharp stood out the most was during 1 on 1's where his man to man coverage was on point, including his recovery speed and ball skills. He is a bit undersized but Sharp makes up for it with competitive, aggressive game play and the versatility to play on the outside or at nickelback.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] - Brentwood Academy   - If it wasn't for the play of Sharp, this Mid-Tennessee product would have walked away as MVP. Williams was outstanding from beginning to end with a consistent brand of football along with some of the best technique of all defensive backs. Williams was near flawless during 1 on 1 action where his man to man coverage was outstanding, showing upside to play on the outside in college. This is a good “football” player that will make any secondary better.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/1792393470637936769 </div></figure>   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='976622' first='Josiah' last='Moore'] - Beech   - Moore has been putting together a solid off-season so far with last Sunday being another strong performance. The Bucs senior two-way talent displayed his abilities at defensive back, where this tall and long athlete handled himself well with man coverage during 1 on 1 competition as well as showed the speed to keep up with receivers on the outside. Continued development must be done but I can see the potential being fulfilled with Moore.    - - - - -    Caiden Warren - Coffee Co.   - Warren kicked off his camp performance in a big way by running a 4.5 flat during testing then proceeded to look smooth during his positional work. Once we got 1 on 1's, Warren did a good job of reading the quarterback then darting the ball without hesitation. The Raiders senior safety sits under the radar at the moment but could rise up soon as this is an athletic guy with ball hawk abilities and traits.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='480892' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] - Mt. Pleasant ‘26   - It's been an active off-season thus far for Smith, who has developed nicely into a potential cover corner on the next level. That can happen with continued performances like he had last Sunday where Smith was one of the better man to man cover guys at camp. He used his height, length and speed to cause problems for receivers. Smith also showed good technique along with strong ball skills that can play everywhere in the secondary.    - - - - - Other Top DB Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='378857' first='Hudson' last='Fuqua'] - Riverdale ‘27, [player_tooltip player_id='1614217' first='Jaden' last='Lark'] - Blackman ‘26, [player_tooltip player_id='1142036' first='Tristan' last='Plumlee'] - Collierville ‘26   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jalen_Smith2/status/1792693202102972628 </div></figure>