Middle Tennessee may not be known for producing a lot of major college football prospects but that is soon to change. After the area produced 18 FBS prospects in last year's class, the area may be on the verge of seeing as many as 30 prospects to sign with Division 1-A schools this coming February.
Some of the top players, Antonio Richardson, Cody Robinson, Deon Meadows, Jeremiah Bryson and Derek King are well known, but others like Aaron Simms, Nick Hill and Alex Vick are emerging onto the scene.
VandySports.com ranked the Top 15 prospects in the area back in June, and with a updated ranking coming in the next few weeks, the 615 Report takes a look at some of the other top prospects in the area.
Quarterbacks
Perhaps the only FBS senior prospects in the area this year are Brentwood Academy's Matthew Hamby and Smyrna's Stevie Wilson. Possessing solid size and mechanics, Hamby has the luxury of playing at one of the state's most successful programs and is surrounded by several talented players. However, the first-year starter also has a lot of tools that make him a legit D1-A prospect. So far this season, Hamby has completed 24-of-33 passes for 367 yards and six touchdowns and has ran for 138 yards and another score on 13 carries. He's shown poise in the pocket and leadership, but also the ability to get out on the edge and make plays with either his feet or arm that way. Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky and MTSU have shown the most attention so far. Tulane could be a program to watch as well. See some highlights of his first three games here:
Wilson (6-foot-2, 185) has a lot of intangibles that colleges look for: athleticism, speed, the ability to make quick plays and a strong arm. Wilson also has a lot of games under his belt, starting his third year as the QB for the Bulldogs. He has completed 25-of-43 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns as well as 121 yards and two scores on 30 carries. Wilson's made better decisions from a year ago and could be a solid fit at a program like Memphis or Troy.
Ensworth's Wirth Campbell also has good size and a cannon for an arm, but his accuracy and decision making are still a concern. Plus he's still splitting snaps for the 0-2 Tigers.
Running Backs
Jeremiah Bryson might have the offers but the guy who still seems to be the most overlooked back in not only the area but the state is Victor Caro of Brentwood Academy. Though he's only 5-foot-8, 173-pounds, he runs with quickness and power, perhaps moreso than Bryson. He's ran for 292 yards and five scores on 32 carries in limited action because the Eagles keep blowing away the competition. Caro has great vision, is slippery and has great leadership. Someone needs to offer him. Vanderbilt has been interested from day one. If they don't offer, someone like Western Kentucky, Tulane or MTSU needs to. Take another look at middle TN's best home-run threat:
While Caro's a home-run threat, two guys who are the classic, yardage chewing power backs are Overton's Tez Humphrey and Oakland's Tee Mayberry. Nicknamed "the Little Bus", the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Humphrey might be recruited as a fullback in major college football but what he possesses that most FB's don't is vision and a solid ability to cut back. Mayberry, checking in at 5-foot-10, 205-pounds, also possesses solid vision and an ability to make quick moves for his size. He also has a nose for the end zone and has already scored 10 touchdowns in three games. Neither has seemed to get enough recruiting attention past some FCS schools. Vanderbilt has looked at both, as has MTSU and Western Kentucky, but these two would fit well as a power option.
Beech back Travis Haymer has done all he can do to impress scouts. At 5-foot-9, 180-pounds, he has a typical scat back frame. He rushed for nearly 1,700 yards last season while leading the Buccaneers to a state championship and already has nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns through the first three games of this season. Haymer has a low to the ground running style, runs a sub-4.5 in the 40 and uses cut back lanes to his advantage. He also has some deceptive moves in the open field. It's been surprising to not hear too much about Haymer's recruitment in the early going, but he would be perfect at a place like Arkansas State or bigger.
A similar back to Haymer, with perhaps better speed is Father Ryan's Prince Iworah. Though a member of the Irish's team in the past, this appears to be Iworah's first serious year. He's already gained 305 yards and a couple of scores through Ryan's first three games and the 5-foot-9, 175-pound talent has displayed some of the raw athletic ability he showed as a track star. Straight ahead, there might not be a running back as fast but now he's also showing some vision and patience when looking for holes.
Other backs that deserve college attention as well include Page's Markeise Lockridge, Maplewood's Stanley Hagan, Cookeville's Daylyn Martin, JP2's Jordan Adams, Davidson Academy's Justin Williams, MBA's Tyler Franks and Pearl-Cohn's D'Anthony Hall.
Check back later when we look at WR/TE/OL.
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