State of Tennessee High School Football

Recruiting exposure and opportunities to compete at camps have been very limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanks to the Tennessee Top 100 organization, any lineman who wants exposure and an opportunity to compete will be able to do so at the Tennessee Top 100 Elite Lineman Camp. The camp will include a field test, drills, competitions, and much more. It will take place at Meigs County High School from April 17th-18th. Tennessee Top 100 is opening this camp to linemen throughout the Southeast. I attended one of their camps in February, and it was one of the best that I have attended. They are very well organized, and had some of the best coaches and trainers in the state running the camp. Camping and competing is extremely important in the offseason, and this is one of the best series of camps in the Southeast. The Tennessee Top 100 organization was designed to create hype and notoriety amongst top athletes, while also creating opportunities for small market teams. Here are some of the people who you will see and work with at the camp. Greg Ross Ross was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1989 NFL Draft after a successful college career as a defensive lineman at the University of Memphis. For young linemen, this is a great opportunity to learn from someone who has been a professional, along with competing with other great linemen around the southeast. King Dunlap Dunlap was drafted in 2008 by the Eagles, after a successful college career at Auburn. Dunlap played 8 years in the NFL, along with making 65 starts throughout his career with the Eagles and Chargers. This is another great opportunity to learn from someone who has been at the highest level, along with competing with some of the best linemen throughout the Southeast. Erin Reid Reid is the founder of Tennessee Top 100. Reid spent a year working at the college level for Tennessee State University. Reid served as a jack of all trades at TSU working closely with RB coach and recruiting coordinator Kevin Mashack, who is also a former Jacksonville Jaguars scout. During his days at TSU, Reid trained defensive backs, helped install game plans with the offensive Coordinator Shannon Harris, and helped produce and create content for the TSU media department, all while working in football operations as a video coordinator. Darrin Nalls Nalls was a defensive lineman at UT-Martin, and knows what it takes to play on the defensive line at the college level. One of the main goals of attending camps is getting recruited, and Nalls knows what that takes. Learning from him is another great opportunity for linemen all around the Southeast. I can’t stress this enough, camps are extremely important for players in the offseason, and I have witnessed firsthand that this camp series is one of the best in the entire Southeast. Go ahead and register at the link below! One lineman will be sponsored by us to attend the camp, and there are four days left to register! https://www.tntop100.com/top100camp

Ty Simpson had to make one of the biggest decisions of his life Friday afternoon, and every football fan in the state was on the edge of their seat to see where the coveted Westview quarterback recruit would end up. Simpson committed to Alabama, in a recruitment that really kept everyone guessing throughout the process. “It was an extremely difficult decision for me.” said Simpson, “I went to bed with a different school in mind, but I woke up and felt like Alabama was the best place for me.” His final five schools were Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and UT-Martin. One thing that drove Simpson towards Alabama, was the coaching staff. “It really came down to player development and being NFL ready. Being coached by coaches like Nick Saban, Bill O’Brien, and Doug Marrone is something that you won’t find anywhere else.” said Simpson. Simpson is rated as a 5-star quarterback, and was a 3A Mr. Football semifinalist last season. The class of 2022 in Tennessee is arguably one of the best classes the state has ever seen, and not only that, but all of the top recruits are extremely close, so it will be interesting to see how this impacts the decisions of other top prospects in the state.

Ravenwood just added a huge piece to their football program at the most important position on the field. Chris Parson has transferred from Red Oak High School in Texas, and enrolled at Ravenwood, Head Coach Will Hester confirmed to stateoftennesseehsfb.com. Parson is ranked as a top 100 recruit in the class of 2023 by 247sports, and already holds offers from schools such as Iowa, TCU, and Virginia Tech. Parson played youth football in Tennessee for several area organizations, before moving to Texas. He has also played at Duncanville High School in Texas, who is recognized as one of the top programs in the entire country. Ravenwood will be looking to replace the production of all-state quarterback Trevor Andrews in 2021, and Parson has the capability to be a very good replacement.

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com DII-A All-State Team! Every head coach in DII-A was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com DII-AA All-State Team! Every head coach in DII-AA was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com DII-AAA All-State Team! Every head coach in DII-AAA was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

These articles are always fun. These will definitely change drastically as we get closer to the season, as players transfer, among other things. Without further anymore hold up, here is my WAY too early Top 5 teams in each classification.

Here's this week's top news from high school football in the state of Tennessee.

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com 1A All-State Team! Every head coach in 1A was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

Keith Henry was named the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year for the 2020 season after leading Coalfield to an undefeated regular season, and to the 1A semifinals.

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com 2A All-State Team! Every head coach in 2A was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

On Thursday, December 10th, Volunteer fans woke up to the announcement of Hudson Wolfe’s decommit to Tennessee. The Savannah, Tennessee native gained national attention by climbing to the number two ranked tight end in the nation, per Rivals.com. Wolfe committed to Tennessee this summer, on June 15th, naming Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Ohio State in his top 5. Wolfe announced his commitment to the University of Mississippi the day after his decommitment from the Volunteers. Ole Miss is known for producing quality tight ends, sending two to the NFL since 2017, both inside the first 35 picks. Wolfe has been noted as a vertical threat, utilizing his height, and exceptional hands. Ole Miss flipped the 4-star, with Wolfe likely seeing the spread offense as a better opportunity to show his talents as a receiving threat.

Mr. Winners were announced: 6A CJ Taylor of Warren County, 5A Prince Kollie of David Crockett, 4A Troy Parker Hughes of Elizabethton, 3A Grey Carroll of Alcoa, 2A Khalik Ganaway of Peabody, 1A Hunter Frame of South Pittsburg, DII-AAA Dallan Hayden of Christian Brothers, DII-AA Dietrick Pennington of ECS, and DII-A Griffin Swinea of Davidson Academy. Hudson Wolfe, a top-10 2021 prospect in the state out of Hardin County, flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Ole Miss. Ravenwood brings back former state champion coach at the school, Will Hester, after Matt Daniels resigns. The number two prospect in the state for the class of 2022, Westview quarterback Ty Simpson, releases his Top 10 schools. These schools include Florida, Texas, UT-Martin, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Clemson. 3A Mr. Football finalist, Pearl-Cohn quarterback, Martino Owens committed to Tennessee State. White Station Athlete Brandon Harris commits to Memphis. Portland promoted Wes Inman to be their new head football coach. 6A Mr. Football finalist and the leading rusher in the state, McMinn County running back Jalen Hunt, committed to Tennessee State. 6A Mr. Football semifinalist, Independence athlete Jaxson Campbell, committed to Navy. Riverdale 4-star defensive lineman, Javon Nelson, committed to Memphis. Kicker of the Year finalist, Connor Wood of Lexington, committed to Duke. Brentwood linebacker, Spencer Rich, committed to Memphis Stateoftennesseehsfb.com released All-State teams for class 3A-6A this week. Here are team schedules that were released this week:

Here is the stateoftennesseehsfb.com 3A All-State Team! Every head coach in 3A was given the opportunity to nominate players. This factors in nominations from coaches, statistics, and film.

QB: Axel Aldino, Dekalb County, Sr. QB: Bryson Rollins, Elizabethton, Jr. QB: Rivers Hunt, Hardin County, Sr. HB: Isaiah McClaine, Lexington, So. HB: Corterrion Moore, Ripley, Sr. HB: Josh Miller, Anderson County, Sr. HB: John Whitley, Hardin County, Sr. WR: Parker Hughes, Elizabethton, Sr. WR: Desmond Nokes, Dekalb County, Sr. WR: Kaydin Pope, Hardin County, Jr. WR: Alvin House III, Jackson North Side, Sr. TE: Landon Whittemore, Macon County, Sr. OL: Cole Morganstern, Elizabethton, Sr. OL: Ian Poe, Tullahoma, Jr. OL: Clay Odom, Greeneville, Sr. OL: Josh Williams, Lexington, Sr. OL: Will Lucas, White House, Sr. ATH: Jakobe Thomas, Tullahoma, Sr. ATH: Kevontez Hudson, Springfield, Sr. K: Connor Wood, Lexington, Sr. DEFENSE DL: Grant Reeder, Nolensville, Sr. DL: Tyreek Nard, Tullahoma, Sr. DL: Kevarius Smith, Springfield, Jr. DL: Trent Taylor, Elizabethton, Jr. LB: Stone Cummins, Anderson County, Sr. LB: Deuce Morton, Elizabethton, Sr. LB: Christian Stacey, Marshall County, Sr. LB: Anthony Brewer, Haywood, Jr. DB: Elijah Donaldson, Creek Wood, Sr. DB: Jaylen Lewis, Haywood, Jr. DB: Colton Dobson, Nolensville, Sr. DB: Isaac Knowles, Dekalb County, Jr. P: Daniel Bethel, Anderson County, Sr.

QB: Jordyn Potts, Powell, So. QB: Destin Wade, Summit, Jr. QB: Cole Henson, Morristown East, Sr. RB: Jermarcus Johnson, Henry County, Sr. RB: Shawn Gary, South-Doyle, Jr. RB: De’sean Bishop, Karns, So. RB: Tysean Jefferson, Beech, Sr. WR: Liam Fortner, Knoxville Central, Sr. WR: Brody Swafford, Walker Valley, Sr. WR: Brady Pierce, Summit, Jr. WR: Micah Simpson, Morristown East, Jr. TE: Terrell Brown, South-Doyle, Sr. OL: Jacob Hood, Hillsboro, Jr. OL: Nicolas Edwards, Clarksville, Sr. OL: Camron Gann, Powell, Jr. OL: Kane Lewis, Knoxville West, Sr. OL: Marshall Jefferson, Shelbyville, Sr. ATH: Prince Kollie, David Crockett, Sr. ATH: Kade Cunningham, Shelbyville, Jr. K: Ewan Johnson, South-Doyle, Sr. DEFENSE DL: Jaxon Adams, Oak Ridge, Sr. DL: Xander Allen, Halls, Sr. DL: Gage Robinson, Clarksville Northeast, Sr. DL: Tony Davis, David Crockett, Sr. LB: Drew Fisher, Rhea County, Jr. LB: Kalib Fortner, Knoxville Central, Sr. LB: Jacob Berven, Oak Ridge, Jr. LB: Ethan Scott, Knoxville West, Sr. DB: Jawon Odoms, Henry County, Sr. DB: Carson Whitehead, Powell, Jr. DB: Jaden Keller, Tennessee, Sr. DB: Preston Turner, Oak Ridge, Sr.

The Mr. Football winners were announced Tuesday morning at Nissan Stadium, and here are the winners. 6A CJ Taylor, Warren County Taylor was a senior dual-threat quarterback, who passed for 492 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also running for 1,764 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was also very good defensively this season, accumulating 57 tackles and 3 INTs. Taylor is committed to Vanderbilt. 5A Prince Kollie, David Crockett Kollie is a senior running back and linebacker, who ran for 1,562 yards and 26 TDs, while also accumulating 109 tackles and 11 TFLs on defense. Kollie is committed to Notre Dame. 4A Parker Hughes, Elizabethton Hughes is a senior wide receiver, running back, and safety, who ran for 539 yards, had 1,326 receiving yards, and 27 total touchdowns. Hughes also had 45 tackles and 6 Interceptions on defense. Hughes led Elizabethton to their second consecutive state title this season. 3A Grey Carroll, Alcoa Carroll is a senior defensive lineman, who racked up 64 tackles, 24 TFLs, and 8 Sacks on the season. Carroll led Alcoa to their sixth consecutive state championship this season. Carroll is committed to Georgia Tech. 2A Khalik Ganaway, Peabody Ganaway is a junior running back, who rushed for 1,860 yards and 24 touchdowns, while leading Peabody to their third consecutive state title. 1A Hunter Frame, South Pittsburg Frame is a senior running back, who rushed for 1,848 yards and 36 touchdowns this season, while leading South Pittsburg to the 1A state title game. DII-AAA Dallan Hayden, Christian Brothers Hayden is a junior running back, who rushed for 2,010 yard and 24 touchdowns this season. He has several high major offers as a junior. DII-AA Dietrick Pennington, ECS Pennington is a senior offensive and defensive lineman, who paved the way for a dynamic running game at ECS. Pennington is committed to Clemson. DII-A Griffin Swinea, Davidson Academy Swinea is a senior running back, who ran for 1,922 yards and 34 touchdowns. He led Davidson Academy to their third consecutive state title this season.

QB: Cade Granzow, Brentwood, Sr. QB: Trevor Andrews, Ravenwood, Sr. QB: Connor Beavon, Franklin, Sr. RB: Ray Banner, Lavergne, Sr. RB: Jalen Hunt, McMinn County, Sr. RB: Robert Giamio, Bartlett, Sr. RB: Jordan James, Oakland, Jr. WR: Walker Merrill, Brentwood, Sr. WR: Isaiah Horton, Oakland, Jr. WR: Matt White, Farragut, Sr. WR: Tyroid Good, Cane Ridge, Sr. TE: Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood, Sr. OL: Bryce Goodner, McMinn County, Sr. OL: Jason Amsler, Franklin, Sr. OL: Fisher Anderson, Franklin, Jr. OL: Graham Keating, Oakland, Sr. OL: Harry Wilkes, Houston, Sr. ATH: CJ Taylor, Warren County, Sr. ATH: Jaxson Campbell, Independence, Sr. K: Trey Turk, Oakland, Sr. DEFENSE DL: Javon Nelson, Riverdale, Sr. DL: Ethan Hassler, Collierville, Sr. DL: Eric Gaston, Cane Ridge, Jr. DL: Ethan McLaurin, Oakland, Jr. LB: Spencer Rich, Brentwood, Sr. LB: Junior Colson, Ravenwood, Sr. LB: Caleb Herring, Riverdale, So. LB: Eli Purcell, Farragut, Sr. DB: Myles Pollard, Ravenwood, Jr. DB: John Howse, Brentwood, Sr. DB: DJ Burks, Maryville, Jr. DB: Kobe Manning, Oakland, Sr.

Oakland has beaten every team they’ve played this year pretty handily, and the 6A BlueCross Bowl was no different for the Patriots, as they dominated Brentwood in every aspect of the game to a final score of 56-33. Oakland had an offensive explosion with 554 yards of total offense, and were led by MVP Jordan James, who had 252 total yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. The Patriots opened the scoring as Jordan James ran it in from three yards out. It looked like we may have a shootout, because on the next drive Cade Granzow found Aaron Walton streaking down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown pass to cut the Oakland lead to 7-6. After that though, the Patriots started rolling. James would take a carry 81 yards to the endzone on the next drive, and then after that, Oakland forced a fumble on the kickoff, which led to a 31-yard touchdown run by Antonio Patterson. The woes continued for the Brentwood offense as Granzow threw an interception, followed by another touchdown run for James to extend the lead to 28-6 at the end of the first quarter. Brentwood finally found some rhythm offensively, as Granzow found Walton again for a Bruin touchdown, but by this point Brentwood was too far down to come back as James busted off a 59-yard touchdown run to pretty well put the game out of reach. James would take the ball into the endzone from four yards out for his 5th touchdown of the first half to extend the Patriot lead to 42-12 going into halftime. This was a championship record for most points scored in the first half. With a thirty-point lead going into halftime, the gap was too large for Brentwood to even get close to coming back because of how dynamic Oakland’s offense is. Oakland’s defense also played very well throughout this game, as Brentwood scored twice in the last two minutes to make the score what it was. James would score one more time in the game for his sixth touchdown, and sealed the MVP award if he hadn’t already. This was truly one of the best performances I’ve seen by a team at state. This win caps off Oakland’s perfect season, and earns them their fifth state title in school history, two of those having come in the last three years.

Peabody used a very strong first half to beat Meigs County Saturday afternoon, and earn their 37th consecutive win, along with their 3rd consecutive BlueCross Bowl victory. Led by MVP Drequan Vaughn and a strong defensive effort, Peabody played to their strengths and came out with a victory. Vaughn finished with 17 Carries for 90 Yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground in the game. Drequan Vaughn got Peabody on the board in the first quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run, in which he carried several defenders into the endzone with him. It was his first of three first half touchdown runs. Meigs County had a 51-yard game tying touchdown pass that was called back for an illegal chop block, and this really seemed to kill their momentum offensively. Vaughn found the endzone two more times from short distances to extend the Golden Tide’s lead to 21-0 going into halftime. The Peabody defense dominated the entire first half, holding Meigs County to only 36 total yards. The Golden Tide had all the momentum headed into the locker room, as they dominated in every aspect of the game in the first half. The second half looked like it would be much of the same as Peabody picked off Logan Carroll for six to extend the lead to 28-0 in the third quarter. Just as Peabody looked like they might get a running clock, Meigs County started to make a comeback effort. The Tigers drove down and punched it on a 2-yard touchdown by Mr. Football finalist Will Meadows to make it 28-7. Meigs County then got a much needed fumble recovery, followed by another touchdown on a 1-yard touchdown run by Carroll, followed by a missed extra point to cut the Peabody lead to 28-13. Peabody crushed any hopes of a Meigs County comeback as they drove the ball down, and extended their lead to 35-13 on a 3-yard run by Sam Driggers late in the fourth. This was the dagger for the Golden Tide, as chants of “three-peat” rang throughout the stadium. This is Peabody’s 37th straight win overall, and their 3rd consecutive BlueCross Bowl victory. They will look for a 4th overall as they move down to 1A next season.