The Five: Mr. Football Candidates – Class 6A
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Continuing our look at the top Mr. Football contenders, Class 6A might be the hardest to predict as this classification is full of high caliber players that you will see playing on Saturday’s in the near future.
It was a tough call but here are the five guys with the best shot at walking away with the top individual honor called Mr. Football.
1. (QB) Destin Wade Destin Wade 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Summit | 2022 State TN (6’3 210) – Summit
– After becoming a finalist for Mr. Football in Class 5A last year, Wade steps up into 6A football this season and there is no reason to think he won’t be a top contender come season’s end. This Kentucky commit is in line for a huge senior year as he has improved his mechanics and overall passing knowledge but also has a bevy of weapons around him on offense that will certainly stack his numbers. He is also a threat with his legs, so the stat sheet each week will be filled. Another state title for the Spartans and a Mr. Football win could put Wade down as one of the QB’s to ever play high school ball in the state of Tennessee.
2. (QB) Chris Parson Chris Parson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Ravenwood | 2023 State TN (6’0 190) – Ravenwood
– After seeing Parson in person this week, he is legit and has all the talent in the world to not only win Mr. Football but also lead his team to a 6A state title. He might stand 6’0 but he plays bigger because of his arm, command of the offense and his ability to break loose and score when he finds the open field. Parson is an elite athlete at the quarterback position that can sling it with the best of them. He also has a nice running game to compliment him and a stout offensive line, so the pieces are there for Parson and his team to have big success this season.
3. (RB) Jordan James-Bryant (5’10 200) – Oakland
– Much like Wade above, James-Bryant was a Mr. Football finalist last season and he should be right in contention yet again this year. The Patriots run the best one-two punch at running back with James-Bryant as the lead guy and the workhorse for the defending 6A state champs. Currently committed to Georgia, James-Bryant is a physical, downhill runner with wiggle and the ability to hit the home run. He can also be your short yard back too as he sports a powerful lower base. The competition will be strong this season in Class 6A but James-Bryant isn’t considered one of the top prospects in the state for nothing!
4. (QB) Carson Jones Carson Jones 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Maryville | 2022 State TN (6’2 210) – Maryville
– This Rebels quarterback could be a sleeper to win Mr. Football this year as he is not only in line to put up a lot of offensive numbers but also possibly lead his team to a 6A state title. Jones is a true dual threat that can put up chunk numbers through the air and with his legs. He is also a strong leader behind center that knows how to run his offense. Jones has a strong team surrounding him as well, so his teammates will surely help in his cause to be considered for individual top honors by the end of the year. Most recently, Jones gave his commitment to the Furman Paladins.
5. (QB) Joseph Cummings Joseph Cummings 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Independence | 2022 State TN (6’3 200) – Independence
– The final spot was a very, very hard choice to make as you honestly have tons of great options but I landed on Cummings due to his strong passing skills and all the receiving talent surrounding him on offense. This 6’3 precision passer is poised to put up huge numbers this season behind an offense that will allow to sling it all over the field to a variety of pass catchers. Cummings doesn’t have the clout or status as the others above but he is a in a great opportunity to not only compete for Mr. Football but also help push his team to the playoffs with a legit shot at making it to Cookeville.
Just Missed: (LB) Keaten Wade Keaten Wade 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Summit | 2022 State TN – Summit, (RB) Gabriel Walker Gabriel Walker 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Stewarts Creek | 2022 TN – Stewarts Creek, (RB/S) Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Oakland | 2022 State TN – Oakland
Others Considered: (QB) Davis White Davis White 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Brentwood | 2022 TN – Brentwood, (QB) Drew Lambert Drew Lambert 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State TN – Cleveland, (QB) Colbey Lamberth Colbey Lamberth 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Dickson Co. | 2023 State TN – Dickson Co., (QB) Dawson Moore Dawson Moore 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Farragut | 2022 State TN – Farragut, (DB/Ath) Kody Jones Kody Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Germantown | 2022 State TN – Germantown, (Ath) Noah Vaughn Noah Vaughn 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Maryville | 2023 State TN – Maryville, (RB/LB) Justin Smitherman Justin Smitherman 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2022 State TN – Ravenwood, (QB) Braylen Ragland Braylen Ragland 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Bartlett | 2023 State TN – White Station