Austin Peay Mega Camp: Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The defensive prospects that were at the Governors 1st ever mega camp were ultra talented w/ several guys taking major steps with their recruiting stocks...including those mentioned below! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149317' first='Kavion' last='Benton'] </strong>- Southwind: Showing up to Austin Peay with a lofty status, Benton backed it up big time, proving to be one of the best defensive linemen at camp but also furthering his stock as one of the best at his position in the state. Aggressive, physical and agile, Benton was a load to handle for opposing offensive lineman, showing a nice pass rush both from the edge and inside. The Jaguars defender has developed his game much further this off-season and it shows me that Power Five will be getting involved with Benton sooner than later.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BentonKavion/status/1667932961377775616?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BentonKavion/status/1667932961377775616?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287426' first='Malik' last='Bolling'] </strong>- East Nashville: Currently under the radar, Bolling is a guy to follow over the coming months, especially after putting up an almost dominant performance at the Austin Peay Mega Camp on Saturday morning. Bolling is an active D-lineman that could play several roles across the front due to his athleticism and football smarts. What I like the most about Bolling is his hand work and how active he is with them. If he puts up a few more performances like he did on Saturday, watch this Mid-Tennessee talent see his offer list explode!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480630' first='Tion' last='Curry'] </strong>- East Nashville: Curry took a great step in the right direction on Saturday where he impressed many in attendance while enhancing his craft further. This Mid-Tennessee product is still raw and in development mode but the potential and upside is definitely there. Tall and long with a great frame to add more size, Curry displayed excellent bend and dip around the edge while also showing flashes of good hand work. If coaches are looking for a long term prospect to mold, Curry could be your guy!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DE/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='364444' first='Nathan' last='Paschall'] </strong>- Dyersburg: This was the 1st chance for me to see Paschall in person and he did not disappoint as he displayed some of the best burst off the edge from all the D-linemen at camp. Standing 6 '4 220 pounds plus, Paschall looked the part, then proceeded to use his size and length to work past offensive linemen along with a quick get-off that allowed him to gain leverage on a consistent basis. Paschall remains under the radar but is certainly someone to follow throughout his senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372301' first='Landon' last='Feggins'] </strong>- McMinn Co.: A beautiful, well built physical specimen, Feggins not only looks the part of a future college linebacker but he performed like it too at last weekend's Austin Peay Mega Camp. Highly coachable with an intent to get better, you could tell Feggins was there to improve and impress coaches in attendance and he did that displaying good instincts and range as well as deceptive speed. The Cherokees senior defender still sits under the radar but I feel in time that will change, especially with continued summer camp performances like he did in Clarksville on Saturday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Feggins_41/status/1668304636774690835?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Feggins_41/status/1668304636774690835?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390710' first='Micah' last='Smith'] </strong>- Ensworth: Coaches and other scouts better start getting to know this Mid-Tennessee junior edge rusher because Smith is well crafted at a young age that screams big time potential. Well built physically, Smith performed very well at the #GovsMegaCamp where he put on display his excellent bend and dip along with the ability to run and cover out in space. Expect to see this Ensworth edge rusher land tons of strong offers in the very near future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149393' first='Devin' last='Rutherford'] </strong>- Bartlett: Coming up to Clarksville to continue establishing himself as one of the best defensive backs in this state, Rutherford more than did that as he ended the camp as possibly the top performer from his position. Smooth, technique sound and aggressive, the Panthers senior defender had a strong day overall from his drill work and especially in his 1 on 1's where he locked down everybody. Rutherford brings a lot of value to the secondary as he could play cover corner, nickel or free safety on the college level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149845' first='Kaleb' last='Martin'] </strong>- Bradley Central: Martin was a targeted prospect on Saturday by the Governors coaching staff and he delivered, putting forth an excellent camp performance that earned him top honors. The Bears senior defender brings a lot of great physical skills and traits to the secondary that screams Power Five potential. His upside is high and I feel he is still coming into his own, so keep an eye on this East Tennessee product moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ElijahMar1/status/1667955464053702661?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ElijahMar1/status/1667955464053702661?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='306300' first='Clarence' last='Cobbins'] </strong>- Springfield: Out of all the prospects that attended the #GovsMegaCamp, Cobbins was one of my personal top five favorites and someone that will see his PRZTN stock rise significantly during our next updated rankings. Tall and long with a smooth moving lower base, Cobbins is very athletic as well as proving to me he has the speed to possibly play Power Five football. He still has a ways to go but this Yellow Jacket defender will definitely be someone to follow this Fall football season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372306' first='Ja'Quis' last='Williams'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn: Technique sound with an aggressive attitude, Williams showed those traits and more at the #GovsMegaCamp on Saturday, continuing the narrative in my mind that he is one of the more underrated talents currently from the #TN2024 class. The Firebirds senior defender always put himself in position to make a play on the ball while displaying excellent closing speed and the ability to work through the receiver for the ball. It's only a matter of time for Williams to see those D1 offers come his way!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='858846' first='Mason' last='Bryant'] </strong>- Father Ryan: It's been a great off-season thus far for this Nashville area defensive back as Bryant has landed offers from Austin Peay and Cumberland and many others will follow over time. The Fighting Irish junior performed very well at the #GovsMegaCamp showing excellent technique during drill work then proceeded to excel in 1 on 1's with his aggressive nature and quick feet. The way Bryant is performing this summer lends towards a breakout junior year and more interest from bigger schools.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Defensive Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207302' first='Ahmare' last='Holt'] </strong>- Southwind, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277760' first='Sanders' last='Ellis'] </strong>- Station Camp, (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433143' first='Jace' last='Williamson'] </strong>- Lipscomb Acad., (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119992' first='Jeremiah' last='Buntyn'] </strong>- Oakland, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='510640' first='Jordan' last='Lee'] </strong>- Beech, (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834599' first='Kanon' last='LaRusso']</strong> - Briarcrest, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854333' first='Elijah' last='Usher'] </strong>- East Nashville, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='695080' first='Zeion' last='Simpson-Smith'] </strong>- Pearl Cohn, ‘26 (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854363' first='Charles' last='Sullins'] </strong>- Southwind</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Devin24Ruthefo/status/1667684265067270144?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Devin24Ruthefo/status/1667684265067270144?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->