#TN2023 Best Available: Small County Standouts
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Weeks away from the start of the Fall football season, here we take a deeper look at the guys from small counties across the state of Tennessee that are talented and worthy enough of bigger looks but they remain available…
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Continue ReadingWeeks away from the start of the Fall football season, here we take a deeper look at the guys from small counties across the state of Tennessee that are talented and worthy enough of bigger looks but they remain available for the taking!
Several guys listed below have the ability to reach into D1 status before their process is over. Others will find a way into college football one way or another as everyone listed below is talented and ready to prove their worth over the next few months.
(QB) Ryan Damron Ryan Damron 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Henry Co. | 2023 State TN (6’0 195) – Henry Co.
– One of the more polished gunslingers from the in-state class, Damron remains available but is picking up steam on the recruiting trail. He holds current offers from Eastern Ky, Samford, Tn Tech and Murray St. along with several other interested parties. Look for multiple other programs to get involved with his recruitment quickly after the start of the upcoming season.
(RB) Bralyn Taylor Bralyn Taylor 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Dyer Co. | 2023 State TN (5’10 185) – Dyer Co.
– For some reason that I must be missing, Taylor has yet to breakthrough with any college offers but trust me, this guy is talented and worthy. Taylor is one of the fastest backs we have from the in-state 2023 class while also sporting nice balance and excellent vision. Someone will be getting a steal with this guy and a possible All-Conference player.
(RB) Jamarion Dowell Jamarion Dowell 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Covington | 2023 State TN (5’8 175) – Covington
– Speed and big play abilities are the two main qualities when watching Dowell perform on the field and he is positioned for a massive senior year that could lead towards Mr. Football honors. This guy plays for one of the best small county programs and a player with college football upside. He has an offer from UT-Martin and several others may follow suit after a strong start to his senior season.
(TE) Jahlin Osborne Jahlin Osborne 6'4" | 215 lbs | TE Coffee. Co. Central | 2023 State TN (6’4 220) – Coffee Co. Central
– Osborne is a true hidden gem at this point that could become a steal for whoever he signs with but those options have yet to arrive. The Raiders senior tight end is athletic, can run and sports a nice frame to put on more weight. The start to his senior season will be key for Osborne as he looks to turn some heads and finally force those college coaches to extend him offers.
(OT/G) Dane Woodard Dane Woodard 6'10" | 355 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN (6’10 320) – Smith Co.
– A massive human being with a strong, powerful frame, Woodard is a sleeping giant that could push himself into D1 status with a great start to his senior season. Coming from a small area in Tennessee, Woodard has worked hard to establish himself this offseason as a recruitable prospect and that work is paying off as his stock has steadily risen over the past few months and now he is a marked man.
(OG) Leo Gonzalez Leo Gonzalez 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Lenoir City | 2023 State TN (6’4 300) – Lenoir City
– Sporting an offer from Austin Peay, Gonzalez is a burly road grader from the interior O-line that moves well off the snap and physically manhandles his opponents when he gets his big paws on them. The Panthers senior lineman has performed well this summer camp season and boasted his stock but he remains available as one of the best interior run blockers in this state.
(DT) Keanun Cummings Keanun Cummings 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Marion Co. | 2023 TN (6’3 305) – Marion Co.
– Coming from the 2A ranks and a small town outside the greater Chattanooga area, Cummings is a talented big man that should be garnering more attention at this time but those offers have yet to arrive. The biggest thing that stands out about Cummings is his mobility and strength at the point of attack. It would not be surprising to see this guy bust through with a strong start to his senior season and force these college coaches to offer him.
😈😈😈 pic.twitter.com/YhgFWJDuAb
— keanun (@keanun3) June 1, 2022
(DE) Braxton Wilson Braxton Wilson 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL Fayetteville | 2023 State TN (6’4 235) – Fayetteville
– The Tigers of Fayetteville sport multiple college level talents from their small area of Tennessee and Wilson is one of their top guys who holds current offers from Air Force, Army and Navy. An edge defender with a strong upper body and lower base speed, Wilson has the physical look of a college athlete and the upside to develop further once he arrives on that level.
(LB) Tristan Bohannon Tristan Bohannon 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Munford | 2023 State TN (6’3 215) – Munford
– Ranked as a top 10 in-state linebacker for the 2023 class, Bohannon is a big dude with a great frame and long arms that has appealed to college coaches this offseason. The Cougars stud backer has obtained offers from Alabama St., SEMO and Missouri Southern St. with many others interested and waiting to see his development over the next few months.
(DB) A.C. Mason-Young A.C. Mason-Young 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Covington | 2023 State TN (5’11 180) – Covington
– This guy has been one of the more interesting cases of recruiting over the offseason months as Mason-Young has yet to see his stock explode but trust me, he is talented and worth bigger looks. An athletic guy with position versatility, the Chargers senior defender brings a lot of traits to the field that translate well to the next level but he is still waiting on those options to come through.
(Ath) Marquez Taylor Marquez Taylor 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB McKenzie | 2023 State TN (6’0 175) – McKenzie
– One of the best overall prospects still available is Taylor and an athletic prospect that could develop and excel on either side of the ball inside the college game. If you want speed and big play abilities, Taylor is your guy. The Rebels stud senior is a prime candidate for Class 1A Mr. Football this year and a talent that can push his stock up even further with another strong season on the gridiron.
(Ath) Malaki Dowell Malaki Dowell 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB White Co. | 2023 State TN (5’10 185) – White Co.
– A true small county star with big time athleticism and speed, Dowell is a bonafide “dude” that can compete on the D1 level but he is still waiting on that interest to come his way. One of the best overall athletes from this in-state class, Dowell has all the big play abilities you want and the versatility to excel at multiple positions. This is one of the top guys on my list that I expect to have a breakthrough senior season and push his way into D1 football.
Others to Watch
(QB/S) Jackson Cassidy Jackson Cassidy 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB McKenzie | 2023 State TN – McKenzie, (QB) Sam Driggers Sam Driggers 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Peabody | 2023 State TN – Peabody
(RB) Isiah McClaine Isiah McClaine 5'8" | 200 lbs | RB Lexington | 2023 TN – Lexington, (RB) Braxton Sharp Braxton Sharp 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Brighton | 2023 TN – Munford, (RB) Mason Bowman Mason Bowman 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Monterey | 2023 State TN – Monterey, (RB) Konor Heaton Konor Heaton 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Coffee Co. | 2023 TN – Coffee Co. Central
(TE) Drew Evans Drew Evans 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Dyer Co. | 2023 State TN – Dyer Co., (TE) Caleb McGee Caleb McGee 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Hardin Co. | 2023 TN – Hardin Co.
(OT/G) Dayton Jernigan Dayton Jernigan 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Warren Co. | 2023 State TN – Warren Co., (OG/C) Nehemiah Storey Nehemiah Storey 6'1" | 285 lbs | OL Rockwood | 2023 State TN – Rockwood, (OL) Andre Allen Andre Allen 6'4" | 265 lbs | OL Fayetteville | 2023 State TN – Fayetteville
(DL) Colton Perry Colton Perry 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Munford | 2023 State TN – Munford
(LB) Eli Denton Eli Denton 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Walker Valley | 2023 State TN – Walker Valley, (LB) Taylor Carney Taylor Carney 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Ripley | 2023 TN – Ripley, (LB) Hayden Smith Hayden Smith 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Westview | 2023 State TN – Westview
(S) Marliss Gray Marliss Gray 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Haywood | 2023 State TN – Haywood, (DB) Malachi Clay Malachi Clay 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Lake Co. | 2023 State TN – Lake Co.
(Ath) NaShawn Holman NaShawn Holman 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR Franklin Co. | 2023 TN – Franklin Co., (Ath) Na’Zyiah Holman – Franklin Co., (Ath) Jayden Miller Jayden Miller 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH McMinn Co. | 2023 State TN – McMinn Co., (Ath) Brazen Stewart Brazen Stewart 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Cocke Co. | 2023 TN – Cocke Co.