Meet the top uncommitted football seniors
National signing day looks like it will be a big day for rural West Tennessee in 2017.
The Liberty duo of Alec Long and Elijah Harris (both to Memphis), Milan’s Jacob Rimmer (Duke) and Hardin County’s LaTrell Bumphus (Tennessee) are all committed to high-profile programs. On the edge of the region, Halls wide receiver Tyrese Johnson is committed to Middle Tennessee State.
But in the weeks leading up to national signing day, there are typically a few more athletes who are offered or decide late to commit to a school who has previously offered.
Here’s a list of 10 athletes likely to climb up teams’ lists in the coming weeks and possibly commit late before signing on Feb. 1.
1. Dresser Winn (6-2, 195 lbs; quarterback from Dresden): Listed as a three-star athlete on 247Sports with offers from Miami (Ohio), Akron, New Mexico State, Ohio, UT Martin, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Tech. He’s had recent interest from schools like Memphis and Indiana along with other FBS schools like Cincinnati, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State and Vanderbilt.
2. Corey Newble (6-0, 190 lbs.; quarterback/defensive back from Liberty): He’s listed with two offers from Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. He played quarterback his entire career and was All-West Tennessee first-team quarterback the last two years. But is very possible he’ll play defensive back in college because of his skill set.
3. Rodney Castille (5-11, 165 lbs.; receiver from Liberty): He has a possible future as a college track athlete after winning the state championship in 300-meter hurdles in May. He has offers from Tennessee Tech, Murray State, UT Martin, Austin Peay, Tuskegee, Lane, Jackson State and Lindsey Wilson.
4. Dylan Yates (5-10, 205 lbs.; running back from Dresden): The bruising running back stepped up in big games for the Lions and in the West Tennessee All-Star Game about a month ago. His lack of height compared to other athletes has kept him under the radar as his only offers are from Morehead State, Bethel and University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.
5. Lamartez Brooks (6-2, 185 lbs.; receiver/kicker returner from Milan): The Bulldogs had an impressive running game this past season, but Brooks was an X factor opposing coaching staffs had to account for before every snap. His 4.6-second 40 time and his ability to use that speed impresses some coaches.
6. Kobe Rogers (5-10, 190 lbs.; running back from Scotts Hill): Rogers is a fast player with a 4.5-second 40 time. But he’s a strong player too with a bench max of 275 pounds, squat of 525 and clean of 255. He also proved his perseverance by coming back from a broken leg between his sophomore and junior years to be one of the top local rushers the past two seasons and a major factor in the Lions having one of the more balanced attacks in the state.
7. Chase Burdette (6-0, 217 lbs.; linebacker from Adamsville): He was one of the top defensive players in rural West Tennessee as a senior. He was the leader on the defensive squad that helped the Cardinals to an unbeaten regular season. He could be another one offered late right before or after national signing day on Feb. 1.
8. Drek Lewis (5-9, 190 lbs.; running back from Bolivar): The running back has been one of the biggest reasons behind the Tigers’ resurgence in the last two seasons. He hasn’t been offered a scholarship yet but could possibly make an equal impact for the college that picks him up.
9. Zayveon Johnson (6-0, 210 lbs.; running back from Bruceton): Johnson was the leading rusher in rural West Tennessee for most of the regular season until the Tigers’ season ended in the first round of the playoffs. He’s got impressive speed as he was clocked with a 4.4-second 40 time at a combine between his sophomore and junior seasons. He said in an interview in October his grades and ACT score need to improve some, but he’s close enough it can happen before he graduates.
10. Jordan Mitchell (6-1, 225 lbs.; linebacker from Dresden): Mitchell was the Lions’ most consistent defensive player throughout their undefeated championship run. If he’s been offered scholarships by any colleges, he hasn’t made it known. But a lot of athletes of his caliber typically sign with someone late.
Compiled by Brandon Shields