5 Sleepers to Watch at the Corky Kell Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Corky Kell Classic is one of the most high-profile kickoff events in the entire country. Each year, some of the best in the state gather to show off their talents and compete with one another. There will be plenty of big names on display, but who are the sleepers who could make a name for themselves? Here are my picks...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Taz Smith</em></strong> - 2024 - ATH - Johns Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a reliable playmaker at receiver who has the tools to break onto the scene as the go-to offensive weapon for Johns Creek in 2023. Smith has the versatility to play inside-out. He also plays DB, returns punts, and even took snaps at QB this offseason. Smith shows the ability to run all kinds of routes and make plays at each level of the field. He is frequently targeted on drag routes and crossing routes, designed to gain him leverage on the outside and gain extra yards after the catch. Smith isn't a super precise route runner, but he has just enough twitchy and shimmy to create separation for himself downfield. He has excellent hands and tracks the ball well. He frequently makes catches while reaching back across his body and while accelerating to a spot. For a smaller receiver at 5'10, Smith showcases eye-opening leaping ability and has the physical edge to "go up and get it" over defenders. Smith is a reliable, three-level playmaker who still has his best football ahead of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TazSmith_13/status/1684331964453605378?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/TazSmith_13/status/1684331964453605378?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Brody Hancock</em></strong> - 2024 - EDGE - North Forsyth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hancock was a highly productive edge defender last year for North Forsyth and has the chance to put up monster numbers his senior season. Hancock played at 190 pounds as a junior and totaled 8 sacks. This year, he is up to 225 pounds and is still growing. Simply put, he is a different kind of player this year. Hancock is a pure effort-style player coming off the edge. He didn't showcase a whole lot of pass-rush moves off the edge, though he certainly has the speed and bend to exploit the outside shoulder of blockers if needed. Hancock instead created separation by shooting his hands and giving himself as much room as possible to run. With space between himself and the ball carrier, he can put his foot in the dirt and completely erase leverage on the outside as well as begin his pursuit of the QB. Now at 225 pounds, Hancock's next step should be setting the edge with authority and displacing blockers. His new combination of hand-striking ability and strength could be capable of folding blockers and knocking them off-balance. One of the best ways to make a name for yourself is to impact the QB, and Hancock could do just that in the Corky Kell Classic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NFHS_FB_Recruit/status/1653114345377652771?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/NFHS_FB_Recruit/status/1653114345377652771?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='231112' first='Ryan' last='Graves']</em></strong> - 2024 - TE - Cherokee Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graves is coming off an injury in 2022, but he has had a solid offseason and is the type of prospect that can make an impact on every offensive snap. Graves is a stout 6'2 235, almost looking more like an HB than a traditional TE. He is an exceptionally physical and strong prospect, which also allows him to dent the armor of the OL when he lines up on the DL. At TE, Graves is basically an extension of the OL when he attaches to the LOS. He is able to outmatch edge defenders and flush them downfield. He has a unique blend of impact-style blocking and technique. He can anchor down and drive with his lower body just as easily as he can lead with his shoulders and knock defenders off their feet. In the passing game, he is best when given the ball on the flat. When given room to run, he can quickly generate momentum north and south and drops his shoulder at contact to pick up extra yards. Graves is a gritty TE who has a future at the next level as an inline blocker. I expect him to contribute early and often for Cherokee Bluff and be a critical piece of their offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ryanSgraves16/status/1690324269916684289?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/ryanSgraves16/status/1690324269916684289?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lee Niles </em></strong>- 2024 - WR - Brookwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niles popped on my radar this summer after a solid showing at the Lutzie 7v7. There, he competed at a high level and seemingly caught every pass thrown his way. Niles comes in at a thin 5'11 170, but he plays like a much larger receiver than listed. Niles spends most of his time on the outside and is a deep ball threat on every play. He isn't a burner, but he has the acceleration and start/stop ability to get behind the safeties and create separation for himself. Niles tracks the ball very well through contact and even shows the ability to climb the ladder and pluck the ball away from defenders. Niles is more of a downfield vertical threat, but he has shown that he is capable of making plays between the hashes and can also be dangerous after the catch. He is sudden, elusive, and can run away from defenders if given space. Niles is simply a gamer at receiver who could put himself on the map with a solid showing in Atlanta. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Lee_Niles0/status/1690778533159698432?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/Lee_Niles0/status/1690778533159698432?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='514070' first='Hunter' last='Green']</em></strong> - 2025 - ATH - West Forsyth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a muscular, athletic prospect that could handle a plethora of responsibilities at the next level. He is a firm 6'2 235 and has noteworthy speed for a prospect of his size. Green can line up as a traditional FB, a TE, split out wide, or even line up on the defensive front. On offense, he spends most of his time lined up as a traditional HB. He is targeted out in the flat and on screens from that spot. The offense often creates misdirection to give him room to run. Once he has grass, he gets north and south, drops his shoulder, and levels defenders brave enough to make a tackle. His preseason tape seems to suggest that he will spend more time lined up out wide. He absolutely has the speed to make plays with the ball in his hand and will be a tough matchup for DBs. Green is a dangerous blocker who is often used to lead the RB through gaps up front and downfield. He meets defenders with authority and absorbs contact well, often maintaining balance and locking up would-be tacklers. When he caravans downfield, he acts as an impact-style blocker and can pop defenders with jarring force. Defensively, Green has some upside as well. He can act as a stuffer in the run game and also has the speed to bend around blockers. All in all, Green is a unique blend of speed and power that could be one big game away from waking up people on a more broad scale. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Hunterg2424/status/1688680668903989248?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/Hunterg2424/status/1688680668903989248?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->