#PRZTN Spring Showcase Top Performers: Defense
The collection of defenders we had at the #PRZTN Spring Showcase was pretty strong and the top talent on hand did not disappoint. Several prospects went into the camp looking to put up strong testing numbers and show why they…
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Continue ReadingThe collection of defenders we had at the #PRZTN Spring Showcase was pretty strong and the top talent on hand did not disappoint.
Several prospects went into the camp looking to put up strong testing numbers and show why they should be college recruited players and these guys did just that!
(Top 10 – No specific order/ranking)
1. (S) Jalen Fayne Jalen Fayne 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Covington | 2022 State TN (5’9 ½ 185) – Covington
– If one rising senior in this camp helped himself more than anybody else, it was Fayne. This guy was everywhere on the field during positional work and displayed why he should be looked at much harder by collegiate coaches. The first thing that put Fayne on the map was his 4.4 forty during testing. The dude can run but what I like the most is his closing speed and competitive nature. Fayne is full of energy and that energy flies all around the field, placing himself in position to always be around the ball. He is quite versatile too. Fayne fits well at safety but could slide down to play nickel or the flex position in the college game.
2. ‘23 (LB) Ethan Crisp Ethan Crisp 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mt. Juliet | 2023 State TN (6’3 ½ 205) – Mt. Juliet
– If we had named a defensive mvp for camp, Crisp would have been that guy. He absolutely dominated everything he did at camp and proved why he will be one of the heaviest recruited in-state prospects for the 2023 class. Crisp brings so much to the table as a linebacker from size, smarts, athleticism and the pure love for the game. The Golden Bears rising junior started the day by running a 4.4 forty then took his talents into 1 on 1 competition and was all around the ball. Crisp holds a Vanderbilt offer and I fully expect many other Power Five schools to get on board soon as well.
3. (DE) Austyn Keen Austyn Keen 6'4" | 210 lbs | DL Beech | 2022 TN (6’4 210) – Beech
– One of the top spring risers of this cycle has to be Keen as yet again, the Buccaneers quick edge rusher put together a strong camp last Saturday and took another step up the ladder in his recruiting stock. Keen is one of the fastest off the edge in this state and during 1 on 1 competition, the O-linemen had a hard time slowing him down. It’s not just his speed that gives Keen an advantage but it’s hands and knowledge of getting after the quarterback that makes him such a productive player. Those offers haven’t arrived just yet but that soon to change.
4. (LB) Aaron Crowder (6’0 249) – McCallie
– An absolute rock in the middle with deceptive lower body mobility, Crowder continued his strong offseason progression last Saturday and appears poised for a big senior season. You may look at Crowder and his size and think he can’t move but that’s not the case. The Blue Tornado senior to be showed at camp his ability to drop into coverage and stick with his receiver. He also tested very well too, so Crowder is more than a thumper, he can be developed into a multi versatile linebacker that does fit inside but can swing outside if called upon.
5. (LB) Brayden Hoy Brayden Hoy 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Maryville | 2022 TN (5’11 210) – Maryville
– Coming into the #PRZTN Spring Showcase last weekend, Hoy had already put together a solid offseason of camp work but last Saturday, it might have been his best performance yet. Hoy is a strong, stout middle backer that fits perfectly in a defense designed to stop the run but at camp, the Rebels rising senior showed he could drop back in coverage and be just as effective. This is an ultimate worker, meaning he will do anything asked of him and do so with max effort. Those offers have yet to arrive for Hoy but I bet college coaches will love working with him when he hits the camp scene this summer and makes them extend those long awaited offers.
6. (DB) Jonathan Heralus (5’10 168) – Cleveland
– Heralus traveled all the way to the Middle Tennessee area to put in some work and help get his name on the map. He did just that by placing himself as one of the top defensive back performers of camp and he did so by displaying secondary versatility. Heralus is a bit undersized but sports long arms and a frame to take on more weight. He also showed the ability to cover man to man with finishing speed and a solid vertical. The Blue Raiders defensive back might fit best on the next level at free safety but he could very well do well at the nickel back position as well. Herlaus provides a lot of value to the secondary but possibly special teams as well.
7. ‘23 (DL) Raleigh Seals Raleigh Seals 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE USJ | 2023 TN (6’4 245) – USJ
– Seals is an intriguing talent as he sports college size and the mobility to make it to the next level but he has yet to fully develop at any one position. This West Tennessee product plays multiple positions for his Bruins team but camped at defensive line last weekend and he did not disappoint. Seals showed off an active motor along with pass rushing traits and quick feet to become a force in college on the defensive line. He still has a ways to go and even more growth with his body but the upside is there. Seals could even develop into an outstanding offensive lineman if needed to.
8. (LB) Seth Carter Seth Carter 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Brentwood | 2022 State TN (6’2 200) – Brentwood
– Carter came to camp as an unknown prospect but left the #PRZTN Spring Showcase as someone to know and watch progress over the coming months. The Bruins rising senior checked in with great size along with a nice, well built frame that fits well on the next level. Carter proceeded to test very well by putting up big numbers in the 5-10-5, L-Drill and then an outstanding time in the forty with a 4.6 flat. He also looked smooth and fluid during 1 on 1’s and positional work, showing he can run and cover. This is an underrated talent that has now jumped on my radar and someone I must follow going forward.
9. ‘24 (DE) Ryan Robinson (6’3 215) – Father Ryan
– This is one youthful prospect to keep an eye on as the next few years go on. Robinson had himself a strong day at the Showcase last Saturday where he displayed nice mobility along with size and frame that will continue to grow and develop. The Fighting Irish defender handled himself well during 1 on 1 competition against an upperclassmen O-line and showed potential as a possible college level defensive end. He must continue developing his quickness, overall athleticism but the tools are there. Robinson is an excellent worker too that listens to direction and executes to his utmost abilities. Definitely watch out for this guy!
10. ‘24 (DT) Antori Hamilton Antori Hamilton 6'0" | 280 lbs | DL Knoxville Catholic | 2024 TN (5’10 265) – Knox. Catholic
– Hamilton may be undersized at the moment but don’t let that phase ya as this guy can play and his motor doesn’t stop until all is finished. One of the more knowledgeable pass rushers in attendance, Hamilton displayed not just the motor but active hands, quick feet and nice lower body agility. The East Tennessee lineman did not slow or back down from bigger competition, he embraced it and held his own. Hamilton does have several years to continue his development but he is already ahead of the game with his football knowledge and love for the game.
Others Considered: (DT) Nehemiah Storey Nehemiah Storey 6'1" | 285 lbs | OL Rockwood | 2023 State TN – Rockwood, (S) Kayden Phillips Kayden Phillips 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Soddy Daisy | 2022 TN – Soddy Daisy, (DE) Aiden Lehner Aiden Lehner 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL Page | 2022 TN – Page, (DL) Christian Kemp – Bob Jones (AL), (LB) Aden Wathen – Blackman, ‘23 (LB) Stryker Aitken Stryker Aitken 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB MUS | 2023 TN – MUS, (LB/S) David Collett – Rockwood