#TN2023: “Best Of The City” – Nashville
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Music City is loaded with talent for the 2022 campaign & here we go over the top players to watch headed into the Fall season. The biggest city and area in Tennessee has some of the best talent in this…
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Continue ReadingMusic City is loaded with talent for the 2022 campaign & here we go over the top players to watch headed into the Fall season.
The biggest city and area in Tennessee has some of the best talent in this state with plenty of guys destined for the Power Five, D1, FCS ranks and others residing under the radar.
Nashville has become a hotbed for recruiting and this senior class has been pursued with great interest. Below we breakdown all the top talent from the Music City and how things look with their recruitments headed into the Fall football season.
Offense
(QB) Kenny Minchey Kenny Minchey 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Pope Prep | 2023 State TN (6’2 200) – Pope Prep
(QB) Marcel Reed Marcel Reed 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB MBA | 2023 State TN (6’2 180) – MBA
(QB) Hank Brown Hank Brown 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Lipscomb Acad. | 2023 State TN (6’4 200) – Lipscomb Academy
(QB) Ryder Hagan Ryder Hagan 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Overton | 2023 State TN (6’2 190) – Overton
(QB) Thomas Vaccaro Thomas Vaccaro 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB CPA | 2023 State TN (6’2 190) – CPA
(QB) Levi Moore Levi Moore 5'10" | 185 lbs | QB Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’0 190) – Ensworth
(QB) Taylor Haas Taylor Haas 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Ensworth | 2023 TN (6’1 180) – Ensworth
– The greater Nashville area has one of their best quarterback classes in recent memory and it all starts with Minchey and Reed, who are both future Power Five signal callers. Minchey is a polished, precision passer that is headed to Pittsburgh next Fall while Reed is one of the more athletic quarterbacks in this class and a guy with big upside that should be developed well at Ole Miss; Lipscomb Academy has yet another D1 talent at quarterback in Brown that will be a big piece in leading the Mustangs back to the D2-Class AA state title game. Brown is also currently committed to Liberty.
Committed to Tennessee St. University, Hagan is a strong armed passer with nice size and clean mechanics that will develop even further on the next level. The Tigers got a steal with Hagan and possibly their future starting signal caller; Vaccaro is one of the more underrated prospects from our in-state 2023 class. He is a talented gunslinger with D1 football traits, including accuracy and timing with high football IQ; Ensworth has the best 1-2 combo at quarterback in Moore and Haas. The starter in Moore holds an offer from Army while Haas has several D2 offers in hand; Both guys bring something a little different to the table as Moore is athletic dual threat while Haas is your pocket passer.
(RB) Maliek Campbell Maliek Campbell 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Overton | 2023 TN (5’9 185) – Cane Ridge
(RB) Jevon Edmondson Jevon Edmondson 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Overton | 2023 State TN (5’10 195) – Overton
(RB) Dawson Marrero Dawson Marrero 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB CPA | 2023 TN (5’8 165) – CPA
(RB) De’Ontay Ramey De’Ontay Ramey 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Hunters Lane | 2023 TN (5’10 190) – Hunters Lane
(RB) Mark Smith Mark Smith 5'6" | 155 lbs | RB Ensworth | 2023 TN (5’6 155) – Ensworth
(RB) David Waters David Waters 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB LaVergne | 2023 TN (5’9 165) – LaVergne
– It’s not a deep class of running backs this season here in Nashville but there are several talented guys who are expecting to have big senior years. Campbell from Cane Ridge and Edmondson from Overton look like the top two guys from greater Nashville area this season and both are strong, physical backs with excellent vision and enough speed to break loose into the open field; Marrero is a versatile back that fits nice inside the CPA offense as someone with speed and the ability to catch out of the backfield; Little is known about Ramey across the state but he shows talent on film with size and vision and has been quite productive for his Warriors team; People need to keep an eye out for Smith because he is a fast and talented back that could make it into the FCS level with a strong senior season. He is small but he possesses elite speed and he knows how to find open holes with his elusiveness and quick feet; Waters is another undersized back that is in line to produce at a high level for his Wolverines team this Fall.
(WR) Shamar Porter Shamar Porter 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’3 200) – Ensworth
(WR) London Humphreys London Humphreys 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR CPA | 2023 State TN (6’3 185) – CPA
(WR) Demitrius Bell Demitrius Bell 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 State TN (6’1 170) – McGavock
(WR) Junior Sherrill Junior Sherrill 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN (5’10 175) – Lipscomb Academy
(WR) Nate Spillman Nate Spillman 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN (6’3 200) – Lipscomb Academy
(WR) Delanie Majors Delanie Majors 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Overton | 2023 State TN (6’0 175) – Overton
(WR) Colin Cook Colin Cook 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Pope John Paul | 2023 State TN (6’3 195) – Pope Prep
(WR) Trey Joyner Trey Joyner 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR East Nashville | 2023 State TN (6’3 185) – East Nashville
(WR) Josh Mailander Josh Mailander 6'3" | 190 lbs | ATH Pope Prep | 2023 State TN (6’3 190) – Pope Prep
(WR) Claiborne Richards Claiborne Richards 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR MBA | 2023 State TN (5’11 170) – MBA
(WR) Jayden Satterfield Jayden Satterfield 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Nashville Christian | 2023 TN (5’11 180) – Nashville Christian
(WR) D’Mitri Taylor D’Mitri Taylor 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 TN (6’3 180) – McGavock
(WR) Dylan Wroblewski Dylan Wroblewski 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN (6’1 190) – Lipscomb Academy
– The city of Nashville and Davidson County has a very deep crop of receivers this 2022 season with multiple Power Five prospects and plenty of under the radar talents. Currently within senior rankings, Porter is considered the top wideout in the state but that might change as another Nashville receiver in Bell could fight him for that top spot. Both of these receivers bring different traits to the field as Porter is big with a wide radius and deceptive speed while Bell is an elite athlete with outstanding quickness and the ability to stretch the field; Right behind those two is Humphreys, a fast and tall wideout that is currently committed to Vanderbilt and an all-state track performer. The Lions power five prospect is tapped with big time potential and the upside to develop quite well in the SEC; A pair of teammates at Lipscomb in Sherrill and Spillman are also headed to SEC; Sherril is committed to Vanderbilt and this dude is fast while Spillman a big bodied guy that is committed to Tennessee with nice size to work smaller DB’s.
Overton has a great shot at running deep in the playoffs this Fall and Majors will be a huge factor in that cause; His speed and athleticism are two major reasons why Majors is a definite FCS prospect that could rise into D1 status with a strong senior season; Cook and Joyner are two big and athletic receivers that hold a few offers but are certainly still under the radar; Both guys have the size and athletic traits that warrant more college looks; Mailander is a new addition to the greater Nashville area and Pope Prep; He is another tall and long wideout that has college traits and should see plenty of action with a Power Five quarterback throwing to him this season.
MBA has a great 1-2 combo at quarterback with Reed and his top target out wide in Richards. The 5’11 crafty wideout may not have the ideal size but the guy can play and he produces at a high level within a passing offense; Satterfield is probably considered the top college prospect at NCS this year and is a guy that could stay at receiver in college or switch over to defensive back; Taylor and Wroblewski are two tall and long receivers that are currently under the radar but have the skill and size to make their way into college ball with strong senior years.
(OL) Joe Crocker Joe Crocker 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL FRA | 2023 State TN (6’6 305) – FRA
(OL) Brandon Solis Brandon Solis 6'8" | 275 lbs | OL Lipscomb Acad. | 2023 State TN (6’8 260) – Lipscomb Academy
(OL) Caleb Dorris Caleb Dorris 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’6 265) – Ensworth
(OL) Elijah Prather Elijah Prather 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL LaVergne | 2023 State TN (6’4 285) – LaVergne
(OL) Riley Hicks Riley Hicks 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL LaVergne | 2023 State TX (6’5 290) – LaVergne
(OL) David Lyles David Lyles 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL DCA | 2023 State TN (6’5 275) – DCA
(OL) DeMarco Ellis, Jr DeMarco Ellis, Jr 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL East Nashville | 2023 State TN (6’5 315) – East Nashville
(OL) Chase Franck Chase Franck 6'4" | 255 lbs | OL MBA | 2023 TN (6’4 255) – MBA
(OL) R.J. Cobb R.J. Cobb 6'1" | 260 lbs | OL Davidson Academy | 2023 TN (6’1 265) – Davidson Academy
– Several big time trench monsters reside from the greater Nashville area, especially three of the top overall O-line prospects from the 2023 class; Recently committing to Mississippi St., Crocker is a big, burly guy that can play a variety of roles with the Bulldogs. He has the ability to stay at tackle, maybe even the blindside but at worst can slide inside and dominate at guard; Solis is a talent with major upside and his best football days ahead of him. He has the look of a left tackle but must continue developing his body and skill set to turn himself into a bonafide star; Ensworth sports a tackle prospect in Dorris that has as much upside as anybody. Committing to Duke this summer, Dorris is an athletic blocker that can excel at left tackle but also play elsewhere across the O-line.
Slowly but surely the recruiting stock of Prather has grown over the past few months where the Wolverines O-lineman is now considered a D1 prospect and someone worth watching this coming season. Prather is an athletic and physical guy that could play multiple roles inside the trenches; His teammate in Hicks is another athletic road grader that has college traits. The recruitment for Hicks has yet to pick up but he definitely has the talent worthy of bigger looks; DCA has a stud at tackle in Lyles, who holds multiple FCS offers at the moment and many others sniffing around. Lyles is an athletic but raw O-lineman that shows plenty of upside for the next level; Ellis, Jr is a space eater on the O-line that plays tackle for his East Nashville squad but translates best in the college game at guard. His play up front will be key in the Eagles hopes at returning to the 3A title game this year; Franck and Cobb are two Nashville based O-linemen that are steady, consistent performers and key pieces up front for both MBA and Davidson Academy.
Best College Prospect: (QB) Kenny Minchey Kenny Minchey 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Pope Prep | 2023 State TN – Pope Prep
Most Underrated: (QB) Thomas Vaccaro Thomas Vaccaro 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB CPA | 2023 State TN – CPA
Top Playmaker: (WR) Demitrius Bell Demitrius Bell 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 State TN – McGavock
Defense
(DL) Drake Carlson Drake Carlson 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’4 275) – Father Ryan
(DL) LaJairus Abernathy LaJairus Abernathy 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Pearl Cohn | 2023 State TN (6’2 285) – Pearl Cohn
(DL) Eriq George Eriq George 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL MBA | 2023 State TN (6’2 240) – MBA
(DL) Dallin Steele Dallin Steele 6'6" | 255 lbs | DL Lipscomb Acad. | 2023 State TN (6’6 255) – Lipscomb Academy
(DL) Javon Ekuaze Javon Ekuaze 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL McGavock | 2023 State TN (6’5 285) – McGavock
(DL) Jamarr Jones Jamarr Jones 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL FRA | 2023 State TN (6’2 255) – FRA
(DL) Bralynn Morris Bralynn Morris 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’3 255) – Ensworth
(DL) Kevin Bradley Kevin Bradley 6'4" | 280 lbs | DL Nashville Christian | 2023 TN (6’4 285) – Nashville Christian
(DL) Abraham Cromartie Abraham Cromartie 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Father Ryan | 2023 TN (6’1 265) – Father Ryan
(DL) Daryl Moulden Daryl Moulden 6'1" | 275 lbs | DL Cane Ridge | 2023 TN (6’1 270) – Cane Ridge
(DL) Joshua Rubin Joshua Rubin 6'1" | 230 lbs | DL Lipscomb Acad. | 2023 State TN (6’1 235) – Lipscomb Academy
(DL) Sam Fisher Sam Fisher 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Lipscomb Academy | 2023 TN (6’2 220) – Lipscomb Academy
(DL) L.J. Tolbert L.J. Tolbert 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL DCA | 2023 TN (6’1 265) – DCA
– This is yet another deep position group residing in Nashville as the D-line looks stacked headed into the 2022 season with several college level prospects and others looking to breakout this year. The top D-line prospect in the Mid-State area is Carlson and one of the better overall prospects from his position in the state; The Fighting Irish defender is currently committed to Purdue and looks in the best shape of his career, primed for a big senior year; Right behind Carlson for the best D-lineman in Nashville is Abernathy, a physical but athletic interior prospect that holds multiple FCS and D1 offers; The guy who has had one of the better summer camp circuits this year has been George. The Big Red D-lineman has boosted his stock tremendously and positioned himself as a possible D1 guy due his pass rush and D-line versatility.
New to Davidson County for the 2022 Fall season is Steele, a transfer from Station Camp that should provide strong edge work and pass rush ability for the defending D2-Class AA state champs; Little is known about Ekuaze but coaches are starting to take notice due to his size, build and lower body mobility. The Raiders senior D-lineman sports all sorts of upside but is still a diamond in the rough that is hoping to breakout this season; Jones is an athletic guy that could play multiple roles across the D-line, especially within a 3-4 defense. He provides a nice pass rush but also plays well versus the run and has the build to grow bigger and stronger on his upper body; Ensworth has a talented defensive line with Morris as their senior leader. He is an active defender that has developed nicely this offseason with his speed off the edge and pushed his recruiting stock even higher.
Bradley is an interesting talent that has the college size but has yet to fulfill his potential. The Eagles senior two-way lineman plays a key role on defense but his biggest upside in college could sit best on the O-line; Father Ryan looks well stacked on the D-line with Carlson leading the way and his running mate in Cromartie causing havoc opposite him. The Fighting Irish senior product has put together a strong offseason thus far and looks primed for a breakout senior year; Cane Ridge is looking for Moulden to have a big senior year as they need his beef and explosiveness tendencies to shine this Fall; Rubin and Fisher are a pair of bookend defensive ends/outside linebackers that can work the edge and provide the Mustangs defense a consistent pass rush, terrorizing quarterbacks; Working both ways in the trenches, Tolbert is a strong and athletic lineman that could earn college offers with strong play on the D-line this Fall; He is well built and athletic enough to move over to offense as well on the next level.
(LB) Bryan Longwell Bryan Longwell 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Lipscomb Academy | 2023 State TN (6’0 220) – Lipscomb Academy
(LB) Ansley Ware Ansley Ware 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Pope Prep | 2023 State TN (6’0 210) – Pope Prep
(LB) Bryce Petersen Bryce Petersen 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’3 220) – Father Ryan
(LB) Sammy Taylor Sammy Taylor 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’3 195) – Ensworth
(LB) Stef Ponder Stef Ponder 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’0 210) – Father Ryan
(LB) DaNarius Perry DaNarius Perry 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Pope Prep | 2023 State TN (6’2 205) – Pope Prep
(LB) Browning Trainer Browning Trainer 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Montgomery Bell Academy | 2023 TN (6’0 200) – MBA
(LB) Brady Russell Brady Russell 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB DCA | 2023 TN (6’1 225) – DCA
(LB) Isaiah Bell Isaiah Bell 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Hillsboro | 2023 TN (6’1 195) – Hillsboro
– Lipscomb Academy is well built on defense within the front seven, having Longwell running the show at middle linebacker. The 6’0 strong and stocky defender can make tackles from anywhere due to his instincts and foot speed; This is a hidden gem that holds several D1 offers but has Power Five upside; Ware fits the bill of a middle linebacker that works well against the run and shows on film the ability to cover in space. He holds a few FCS offers but could boost his stock this Fall with a breakout year; His teammate at Pope Prep, Perry holds tremendous upside as an athletic backer that could work inside/out; He is a prospect that could see his recruitment explode with a big time final high school season; Petersen has been one of the breakout stars of camp season, picking up multiple FCS offers and establishing himself as one of the best linebacker prospects from the greater Middle Tennessee area; This summer camp season has been a breakout party for Taylor as he has impressed at every stop and positioned himself as a legit college recruit. The Ensworth linebacker is tall, long and fast with loads of potential and upside.
Playing beside Petersen at Father Ryan, Ponder is a load at middle backer that is still learning the position. He is a smart, physical player that is very coachable and willing to do anything to help his team win; MBA will rely on a good bit of youth within their defense this year but one veteran who will be leaned upon for production is Trainer. The Big Red linebacker is the ultimate worker that does everything right and always competes extra hard; Russell is one of the top returning players for his DCA squad and someone that will be asked to contribute a ton this coming season. He is a two-way talent that should be the defensive leader this season and someone expected to make tons of tackles, helping lead the Wildcats back to the D2-Class A title game; Hillsboro is looking to bounce back with a strong 2022 season and their defense will be key towards making that happen, especially Bell, who is an athletic and instinctive backer that can make plays sideline to sideline.
(DB) Tyson Edwards Tyson Edwards 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Overton | 2023 State TN (6’2 180) – Overton
(DB) Byron Davis Byron Davis 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN (5’10 185) – Cane Ridge
(DB) Mose Phillips III Mose Phillips III 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 State TN (6’2 190) – Cane Ridge
(DB) Javon Drake Javon Drake 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB LaVergne | 2023 State TN (6’1 180) – LaVergne
(DB) Alan Young Alan Young 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB MBA | 2023 State TN , Jr (6’1 185) – MBA
(DB) Gavin Smith Gavin Smith 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’2 185) – Father Ryan
(DB) Martez Cooksey, Jr (5’10 185) – Ensworth
(DB) Kamm Baah-Slay Kamm Baah-Slay 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2023 State TN (6’2 180) – Father Ryan
(DB) LaVonte Sutton LaVonte Sutton 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2023 TN (6’0 170) – Cane Ridge
(DB) Markellus Bass Markellus Bass 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH McGavock | 2023 State TN (5’10 180) – McGavock
(DB) Isaiah Dunlap Isaiah Dunlap 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Overton | 2023 TN (6’1 180) – Overton
(DB) Brandon Bouie Brandon Bouie 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Ensworth | 2023 TN (6’1 195) – Ensworth
(DB) James Hinson III James Hinson III 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Father Ryan | 2023 TN (6’0 185) – Father Ryan
(DB) Andraeus Jones Andraeus Jones 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB McGavock | 2023 TN (6’2 165) – McGavock
– Headed into the Fall football season, Edwards could be the top defensive back prospect from not only the Nashville area but the Middle Tennessee region as well. He has had a breakout offseason where he established himself as a legit recruit and eventually committed to Memphis; Cane Ridge sports two of the best DB’s in the greater Nashville area with Phillips III running the back end at safety and Davis locking things down at cornerback. Both of these guys are D1 talents that could boost their stock even further with strong senior campaigns; College coaches and scouts are starting to pay attention to Drake and his upside for the next level. The Wolverines stud defender has a lot of traits to translate to the college game and is still developing within the secondary, so his best football days are ahead of him.
One of the best defensive back prospects from the greater Nashville area is Young, Jr and he brings several things to the secondary that can be utilized well on the college gridiron. He is big, smart and versatile to play corner or safety; Father Ryan has a loaded defense this year and is very strong in the front seven but the backend is talented too with Smith leading the way as their star player. Coaches are starting to pay attention to this Fighting Irish safety as he sports a lot of physical traits that can be developed even further; Playing alongside Smith in the backend is Baah-Slay, who is a big, physical imposing guy that needs to show more speed and athleticism on the backend this season or his future could sit at linebacker in the college game; One of the more underrated talents in the Nashville area is Cooksey, Jr. The Tigers senior defensive back is athletic and can play a variety of roles in the secondary and develop into a key piece on special teams.
McGavock could have one of the more talented and underrated secondaries in the greater Middle Tennessee area, led by Bass and an athletic hidden gem in Jones. Both of these guys are ultimate competitors that bring athleticism and versatility to the defensive backfield; Sutton is a talented young man that does not know how upside and how good he can be. He is tall and long with active, quick feet and the versatility to play multiple roles; Keep an eye on Dunlap this Fall season as he is a guy with college traits and the ability to turn himself into a legit D1 recruit with a strong senior year; Bouie is an interesting talent due to his size, physical appearance and high football IQ; He is big safety that plays the box well, which means he could translate to linebacker on the next level; Many people don’t know much about Hinson III but he is a rangy safety that plays smart football and tends to put himself around the football on a consistent basis.
(Ath) Bo Burklow Bo Burklow 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE CPA | 2023 State TN (6’4 235) – CPA
(Ath) Courtland Simmons Courtland Simmons 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Davidson Academy | 2023 State TN (6’0 185) – Davidson Academy
(Ath) Tahj Woods Tahj Woods 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH MBA | 2023 State TN (6’2 180) – MBA
(Ath) Donovan Smith Donovan Smith 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Chatt. Central | 2023 State TN (5’11 165) – Nashville Christian
(Ath) Gabe Chaney Gabe Chaney 5'7" | 170 lbs | ATH Davidson Academy | 2023 TN (5’7 170) – Davidson Academy
– Committing to Coastal Carolina this summer, Burklow is an underrated talent that I believe is a Power Five guy and someone that could excel on either side of the ball. This offseason has been big for Burklow as he proved his ability to become a top level tight end inside the college game and someone with his best football days ahead of him; Simmons is a two sport star at DA that still doesn’t know how good he can be on the gridiron. The Wildcats senior star is the ultimate athlete that provides big play abilities and the upside to become a game changer on the next level.
MBA has a two-way talent in Woods that is expected to be a major contributor for the Big Red this season and someone with the size and athleticism to play his way into FCS offers by season’s end; Smith is a dynamic playmaker that excels on the basketball court as well but is expected to be one of the Eagles top offensive threats this Fall. This is an ultra athlete that could take his recruiting stock to another level this season; Chaney is an intriguing talent that could play a variety of roles within the Bears offense this Fall but could also be utilized on defense as well.
Best College Prospect: (DB) Tyson Edwards Tyson Edwards 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Overton | 2023 State TN – Overton
Most Underrated: (DB) Javon Drake Javon Drake 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB LaVergne | 2023 State TN – LaVergne
Top Playmaker: (Ath) Courtland Simmons Courtland Simmons 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Davidson Academy | 2023 State TN – Davidson Academy