Newcomer Profile: Get to know four-star WR signee Nathan Leacock

On3 imageby:Matt Ray01/12/23

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Tennessee signed 24 prospects from the 2023 class during the early signing period in December. The Vols’ current class score of 91.93 ranks 12th nationally and 5th in the SEC for the recruiting cycle. Volquest continues it newcomer feature series by getting to Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook High School wide receiver Nathan Leacock.

Bio

Nathan Leacock

Millbrook High School (N.C.)

Wide Receiver/6-3/195

Committed to Tennessee on 7/22/2022

Recruiting Ranking

On3- National (68)/WR (10)/ North Carolina (4)

On3 Consensus- National (103)/ WR (18)/ North Carolina (3)

On3 NIL Valuation ($141k)

HS Football NIL Rank- #110

NIL 100- #607

Total social media followers- 6.9k

Nathan’s Social Media Accounts

Instagram- @nathan_leacock

Twitter- @nathan_leacock

On3 High School Scouting Summary

“Late-blooming receiver with a strong combination of size, length and straight-line speed. Owns ready-made size checking in at close to 6-foot-3 and around 195 pounds prior to his senior season. Has outstanding length for the position with arms that measure over 33 inches, along with a 9 ⅞ inch hand. Pairs the size with plus long speed, running a personal best of 10.88 seconds in the 100 meters as a junior. Played alongside blue-chip Wake Forest wide receiver signee Wesley Grimes as a junior and saw a considerable bump in targets with Grimes graduated. Uses his initial burst to drive off the line of scrimmage and create early separation within his routes. Flashes strong hands at the catch point. Contorts and spins to come down with acrobatic catches. Bodies smaller defensive backs in contested situations. Showing progress as a route runner. Has the speed and physicality to maximize yardage after the catch. Showing better tracking skills on Friday night than he did in prior camp settings. Highly productive as a senior and should finish as one of, if not the more productive receivers in the 2023 cycle. Does not face overly strong competition at his high school.”

Volquest’s Take

Leacock was an excellent evaluation by Tennessee at the time. Alex Golesh, Kelsey Pope, and the Vols’ offensive staff prioritized the coveted pass-catcher early on this cycle, and it paid off with a key recruiting victory over North Carolina State, North Carolina and Michigan in the end. If it is any indication of the priority this staff made Leacock, when he was unable to make it in for a weekend visit with other select visitors while uncommitted, the Tennessee staff slotted out time to call him and discuss with him what was going on and reiterate how much of a priority he was for them.

The 6-3, 195-pounds receiver is an excellent vertical threat and should mesh nicely in the Tennessee offensive attack. He possesses a desirable athleticism and frame Tennessee covets in an outside receiver target. Leacock is probably further along coming out of high school than Cedric Tillman was at the time, but the two will likely have similar usage inside of Tennessee’s high-tempo offense. Both are leapers that excel in high-pointing the football and using physicality to make plays against smaller defenders. Leacock will benefit from getting an early start on his Tennessee career by arriving for bowl practices. 

Five Things to Know About Nathan Leacock

Favorite Food- Pizza and wings

Favorite Movie- Love&Basketball

Favorite Pre-Game Song- “Hell Shell” by Young Nudy

Favorite Video Game- NBA 2k

Favorite NFL Player- Odell Beckham and D.K. Metcalf

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