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Recruiting roundup: A look at recent Nashville-area college commitments from 2022 prospects





Hume-Fogg senior Nya Browne spikes the ball over the net during the TSSAA Class AAA state title game on Oct. 22, 2021.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Hume-Fogg senior Nya Browne spikes the ball over the net during the TSSAA Class AAA state title game on Oct. 22, 2021.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

It’s been almost a month since the NCAA early signing period for football ended and two months since the initial signing period for basketball and all other sports opened.

During that time, a few dozen Nashville-area high school seniors announced their college plans.

Here’s a quick rundown organized by sport:

Baseball

Andrew Davidson, Lipscomb Academy: The two-way player announced his pledge to Harding University (Arkansas) on Jan. 4. Davidson batted .287 with five home runs and 28 RBIs for the Mustangs in 2021.

Reggie Cooper, Stewarts Creek: The 6-foot-2 outfielder is taking the JUCO route. Cooper announced his commitment to Cleveland State Community College on Nov. 30.

Boys Basketball

Paxton Davidson, Green Hill: The combo guard committed to coach Lennie Acuff and the Lipscomb Bisons on Dec. 13. He averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the 3-point line for the Tennessee Tigers on the AAU circuit last summer.

Stewarts Creek's Reggie Cooper catches a fly ball during the Red Hawks' home game with Smyrna on Wednesday, April 21.Harrison McClary

Stewarts Creek’s Reggie Cooper catches a fly ball during the Red Hawks’ home game with Smyrna on Wednesday, April 21.Harrison McClary

Jake Mulder, Ravenwood: The 6-foot-7 forward signed with Trevecca this week. Mulder has been an all-district and all-region performer while serving as an intimidating post presence for the Raptors.

Football

Sam Beasley, Brentwood: Beasley, an offensive tackle and center, paved the way for Brentwood’s prolific offense to shine. He scored a 34 on his ACT and committed to Washington University in St. Louis this week.

Cole Becker, Father Ryan: The linebacker and TnFCA All-State selection announced on Dec. 21 his intent to play football at Appalachian State, joining former Father Ryan quarterback D.C. Tabscott in Boone, North Carolina.

Upton Bellenfant, Stewarts Creek: Bellenfant was 2-of-4 on field-goal tries with a long of 40 yards last season while recording touchbacks on 31 kickoffs and averaging 41 yards per punt. The kicker/punter committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 16.

Green Hill's Paxton Davidson hits a long jump shot against Beech.Brett Berwager

Green Hill’s Paxton Davidson hits a long jump shot against Beech.Brett Berwager

Kane and Keenan Burnley, Trousdale County: The brothers announced their commitments to Cumberland University on Jan. 5. Both athletes helped guide the Yellow Jackets to the Class 2A semifinals.

Evan Carney, CPA: The Lions leaned on Carney to protect quarterback Cade Law and company. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound left tackle did just that, earning TnFCA All-State honors and a scholarship to Western Carolina.

Braden Ford, Lipscomb Academy: Ford compiled 68 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss as a linebacker for the Division II-AA state champion Mustangs. He committed to Lindsey Wilson on Jan. 8.

Adam Hickerson, Blackman: After handling right tackle duties for Blackman last season, Hickerson plans to be a defensive lineman at Maryville College. He announced his commitment on Thursday.

Brentwood Academy linebacker Jalen Jones makes a one-handed interception against MBA on Sept. 24, 2021. Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Brentwood Academy linebacker Jalen Jones makes a one-handed interception against MBA on Sept. 24, 2021. Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Jalen Jones, Brentwood Academy: Jones finished his senior year with 18 tackles and an interception. The inside linebacker committed to UT Martin on Dec. 29.

Marcus Lloyd, Riverdale: Lloyd rushed for 899 yards and nine touchdowns on 168 carries last fall. He will continue his career at Bethel University (Tennessee) after committing on Dec. 20.

Luke Manning, Hendersonville: Manning accounted for 2,032 total yards 24 touchdowns as the Commandos’ signal caller last fall. He committed to Campbellsville University on Jan. 7.

Jadon Moore, Ravenwood: The 6-foot, 225-pound defensive lineman announced his commitment to Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio) on Dec. 25, choosing the Lions over offers from Birmingham-Southern and Sewanee.

Rashad Owens, Davidson Academy: Owens racked up 85 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four passes defended and two interceptions as a senior. That led him to commit to Lindsey Wilson on Dec. 23.

Brentwood junior Kaitlyn Lorenzi (left) and Page's Brooklin Burrow scramble for a loose ball on Dec. 19, 2020.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Brentwood junior Kaitlyn Lorenzi (left) and Page’s Brooklin Burrow scramble for a loose ball on Dec. 19, 2020.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Logan Penhollow, Pope Prep: The 6-foot-2, 265-pound two-way lineman announced his plans to play football at Indiana Wesleyan on Jan. 7.

Isaac Rollins, Ravenwood: Considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rollins decided to challenge himself on the field and in the classroom. He pledged to Harvard on Dec. 20.

Jeffrey Vercher, FRA: Vercher carried the ball 170 times for 1,083 and 17 touchdowns in 2021, while also returning kicks and punts and playing defense. He committed to Drake on Dec. 26.

Girls Basketball

Kaitlyn Lorenzi, Brentwood: Lorenzi committed to Hanover College (Indiana) on Jan. 4. She is averaging 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game for the Lady Bruins this season.

Girls Soccer

Sarah Kate Rath, Ravenwood: She scored 17 goals and added 23 assists to earn District 11-AAA Co-Attacker of the Year last fall. The midfielder committed to Cincinnati earlier this week.

Franklin forward Yukino Wakatsuki (26) tries to dribble away from Ravenwood defender Leah Johnson (4) on Oct. 22, 2020.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Franklin forward Yukino Wakatsuki (26) tries to dribble away from Ravenwood defender Leah Johnson (4) on Oct. 22, 2020.Phil Stauder/Main Street Nashville

Yukino Wakatsuki, Franklin: Wakatsuki provided a steady presence in the midfield for the Lady Admirals, who fell to Nolensville in the Region 6-AAA semifinals. She will continue her career at New York University.

Volleyball

Nya Browne, Hume-Fogg: The middle blocker played a key role in leading Hume-Fogg to its first state title since 1998. Browne announced her commitment to USC Upstate on Dec. 27.

Tanya Sichling, Ravenwood: The outsider hitter delivered 321 kills, 220 digs and 35 total blocks for the Class AAA runner-up Lady Raptors in 2021. She committed to The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.) on Dec. 15.

Morgan Wilson, Lipscomb Academy: After helping the Lady Mustangs to the first round of the Division II-AA state tournament, the setter/opposite hitter announced her commitment to Freed-Hardeman on Nov. 11.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list. Please report any recent college commitments not listed to editor@mainstreetpreps.com with the athlete’s name, sport and school.

Click here to see which Nashville-area basketball players and athletes from other sports signed during the early period in November 2021.

Click here to see which Nashville-area football players signed during the early period in December 2021.

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