The Five: Mr. Football Candidates – Class 3A
Getting back into our look at the top contenders for Mr. Football, the prospects for the top individual award in Class 3A isn't as strong as other classifications but it does provide a big opportunity for anybody to win.
Here are the guys we feel are the guys who have the best shot at winning Class 3A Mr. Football this year.
1. (QB)
Caden Buckles
Caden
Buckles
6'1" | 210 lbs | QB
Alcoa | 2022
State
TN
(6'1 210) - Alcoa
- Looking over the crop of prospects from Class 3A, Buckles looks to be the top guy and he has a great shot at walking away with Mr. Football this year because his Tornadoes team is loaded and primed for another state title run. Buckles is a talented guy with dual threat abilities and offensive weapons around him to put up huge numbers this season. His abilities on the ground and through the air make it hard for a defense to bottle up and slow down the Tornadoes offense. Buckles is also a strong leader that knows how to win, so by season's end, this East Tennessee quarterback will be in contention for another state title and the 3A Mr. Football.
2. (QB)
Jacob Dooley
Jacob
Dooley
6'1" | 195 lbs | QB
Waverly Central | 2022
State
TN
(6'1 195) - Waverly Central
- If you're looking for a sleeper contender for Class 3A Mr. Football, Dooley could be your guy. The Tigers senior quarterback is a vet that knows how to run an offense and beat a defense in a variety of ways. Dooley is a dual threat lefty that can break down a defense with his legs or methodically pick you apart with his arm. He also has a solid core around him on offense as well, so Dooley has the tools between himself and his teammates to not only put up big numbers but also lead the Tigers on a deep postseason run. If the Tigers perform well this season, Dooley will certainly be in contention for Mr. Football.
3. (DB/RB)
A.C. Mason-Young
A.C.
Mason-Young
5'11" | 180 lbs | DB
Covington | 2023
State
TN
(5'11 180) - Covington
- Possibly considered the top overall college prospects from the Class 3A ranks, Mason-Young will be a main factor for the Chargers on both sides of the ball this season and be put in situations to come up big for his team. Mason-Young is viewed more of a defensive back on the next level but for his Chargers squad, he will play a variety of positions where he can use his athleticism to help put up points, no matter where he is on the field. His overall stat sheet may not be as large as other prospects but Mason-Young's impact on the Chargers is much larger, so Mr. Football is not a far stretch for this talented junior athlete.
4. ‘23 (RB)
Jamarion Dowell
Jamarion
Dowell
5'8" | 165 lbs | RB
Covington | 2023
State
TN
(5'9 175) - Covington
- The lead guy of a deep running back group for the Chargers, Dowell is a fast, athletic and tough runner that is poised for a breakout junior season and if all goes like Week One did, this West Tennessee will be in contention for Mr. Football as well. Dowell had his carries last year as a sophomore but this season, the Chargers back will be given a bigger workload and an opportunity to become one of the best running backs from the West Tennessee region. He has the ability to break a run wide open and find the end zone quickly, so he will be a threat to the opposing defense every time he and the Chargers step on the field.
5. ‘23 (Ath) Jordan Harris (5'11 175) - Alcoa
- People will know who Harris is by the end of the year as this is a talented two way prospect that looks to be the lead guy at running back for a talented Tornadoes offense. Harris is a big time athlete with dynamic, big play ability and the versatility to be showcased in several ways. As you look at the Tornadoes offense as a whole, Harris will be one of their focal points on the season and plan to give him the ball as much as possible. The East Tennessee junior will be given every opportunity to shine this year, which means big numbers and a shot at Mr. Football.
Others Considered: (WR/S)
Isaiah Bryant
Isaiah
Bryant
6'2" | 185 lbs | DB
Alcoa | 2022
State
TN
- Alcoa, (Ath) Ranen Blackburn - White House, (WR/DB) Ryan Edwards - Waverly, (QB/Ath) Will Page - Stewart Co., (RB)
Layden Grant
Layden
Grant
5'10" | 190 lbs | RB
Fairview | 2023
TN
- Fairview, (QB/S) Keaton Harig - Loudon
Caden
Buckles
6'1" | 210 lbs | QB
Alcoa | 2022
State
TN
(6'1 210) - Alcoa
- Looking over the crop of prospects from Class 3A, Buckles looks to be the top guy and he has a great shot at walking away with Mr. Football this year because his Tornadoes team is loaded and primed for another state title run. Buckles is a talented guy with dual threat abilities and offensive weapons around him to put up huge numbers this season. His abilities on the ground and through the air make it hard for a defense to bottle up and slow down the Tornadoes offense. Buckles is also a strong leader that knows how to win, so by season's end, this East Tennessee quarterback will be in contention for another state title and the 3A Mr. Football.
2. (QB)
Jacob Dooley
Jacob
Dooley
6'1" | 195 lbs | QB
Waverly Central | 2022
State
TN
(6'1 195) - Waverly Central
- If you're looking for a sleeper contender for Class 3A Mr. Football, Dooley could be your guy. The Tigers senior quarterback is a vet that knows how to run an offense and beat a defense in a variety of ways. Dooley is a dual threat lefty that can break down a defense with his legs or methodically pick you apart with his arm. He also has a solid core around him on offense as well, so Dooley has the tools between himself and his teammates to not only put up big numbers but also lead the Tigers on a deep postseason run. If the Tigers perform well this season, Dooley will certainly be in contention for Mr. Football.
3. (DB/RB)
A.C. Mason-Young
A.C.
Mason-Young
5'11" | 180 lbs | DB
Covington | 2023
State
TN
(5'11 180) - Covington
- Possibly considered the top overall college prospects from the Class 3A ranks, Mason-Young will be a main factor for the Chargers on both sides of the ball this season and be put in situations to come up big for his team. Mason-Young is viewed more of a defensive back on the next level but for his Chargers squad, he will play a variety of positions where he can use his athleticism to help put up points, no matter where he is on the field. His overall stat sheet may not be as large as other prospects but Mason-Young's impact on the Chargers is much larger, so Mr. Football is not a far stretch for this talented junior athlete.
4. ‘23 (RB)
Jamarion Dowell
Jamarion
Dowell
5'8" | 165 lbs | RB
Covington | 2023
State
TN
(5'9 175) - Covington
- The lead guy of a deep running back group for the Chargers, Dowell is a fast, athletic and tough runner that is poised for a breakout junior season and if all goes like Week One did, this West Tennessee will be in contention for Mr. Football as well. Dowell had his carries last year as a sophomore but this season, the Chargers back will be given a bigger workload and an opportunity to become one of the best running backs from the West Tennessee region. He has the ability to break a run wide open and find the end zone quickly, so he will be a threat to the opposing defense every time he and the Chargers step on the field.
5. ‘23 (Ath) Jordan Harris (5'11 175) - Alcoa
- People will know who Harris is by the end of the year as this is a talented two way prospect that looks to be the lead guy at running back for a talented Tornadoes offense. Harris is a big time athlete with dynamic, big play ability and the versatility to be showcased in several ways. As you look at the Tornadoes offense as a whole, Harris will be one of their focal points on the season and plan to give him the ball as much as possible. The East Tennessee junior will be given every opportunity to shine this year, which means big numbers and a shot at Mr. Football.
Others Considered: (WR/S)
Isaiah Bryant
Isaiah
Bryant
6'2" | 185 lbs | DB
Alcoa | 2022
State
TN
- Alcoa, (Ath) Ranen Blackburn - White House, (WR/DB) Ryan Edwards - Waverly, (QB/Ath) Will Page - Stewart Co., (RB)
Layden Grant
Layden
Grant
5'10" | 190 lbs | RB
Fairview | 2023
TN
- Fairview, (QB/S) Keaton Harig - Loudon
