New Year’s Special: Early 2023 Preseason Top 25
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We are many months away from the Fall football season but how about an early look at who the top teams should be going into the 2023 year. (Note – Some changes to rosters could/will be made between now and…
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Continue ReadingWe are many months away from the Fall football season but how about an early look at who the top teams should be going into the 2023 year.
(Note – Some changes to rosters could/will be made between now and the start of the Fall season)
#PRZTN TN HS Football Top 25
1. Brentwood Academy Eagles
– The 2023 season could be a big year for these Eagles as they are loaded with star players on every level, led by star 2025 quarterback George MacIntyre George MacIntyre 6'5" | 190 lbs | QB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN . Playing in front of him is a strong offensive line with Andrew Pedersen Andrew Pedersen 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Brentwood Academy | 2024 State TN and Graham Gilmer Graham Gilmer 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Brentwood Acad. | 2024 State TN leading the way. The Eagles also have a stout defense returning next Fall with star players out front in Hank Weber Hank Weber 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Brentwood Academy | 2024 State TN , A.J. Barbat A.J. Barbat 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Brentwood Acad. | 2024 State TN and Kolbe Harmon Kolbe Harmon 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN . It will be a battle for BA playing in the D2-Class AAA ranks but they have the roster to play and win another state football title.
2. Baylor Red Raiders
– The defending D2-Class AAA champs have a great shot at repeating next Fall, especially with stud quarterback Whit Muschamp Whit Muschamp 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Baylor | 2024 State TN returning to run the show. The Red Raiders must replace some key seniors off this past season’s championship squad but they have some serious talent returning in Amari Jefferson Amari Jefferson 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Baylor | 2024 State TN , Joshua Hampton Joshua Hampton 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Baylor | 2024 State TN , Cameron Sparks Cameron Sparks 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Baylor | 2025 State TN , Jimmy Bryson Jimmy Bryson 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor | 2025 State TN and others to find themselves in the state title game yet again in the Fall.
3. Oakland Patriots
– How can you not put the Pats up here in the top five with head coach Kevin Creasy at the helm for another year. Three years running, the Patriots are your 6A state champions and I see no reason why they won’t be competing for yet another one in the 2023 season. Oakland must replace some key starters but they have enough talented returning to be formidable again, especially with a potent backfield, spearheaded by running backs Tamari Hill Tamari Hill 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN and Aivery Haynesworth.
4. McCallie Blue Tornado
– This past football season was a building and growing year for this McCallie team as they played a lot of underclassmen but that should pay off this Fall as the Blue Tornado should have enough pieces to compete for the D2-Class AAA title. They have one of the best QB’s in the state returning in Jeremy St-Hilaire Jeremy St-Hilaire 6'4" | 220 lbs | QB McCallie | 2024 State TN and a strong defensive front, led by future SEC edge rusher Carson Gentle and an under the radar talent in Olivier Camerlain Olivier Camerlain 6'6" | 260 lbs | DL McCallie | 2024 State TN . This Blue Tornado football program knows how to win championships and they looked primed to compete for another one in 2023.
5. Pearl Cohn Firebirds
– Coming off a state runner-up season for the Firebirds, this Middle Tennessee program might be ready to bring another football state title back to campus as Pearl Cohn returns tons of talent that was able to taste the big stage earlier this month. Led by senior quarterback Keshawn Tarleton Keshawn Tarleton 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN , the Firebirds offense should be loaded with athleticism and skill everywhere with guys like D’Arious Reed D’Arious Reed 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Pearl Cohn | 2024 State TN , Malachi Cromwell Malachi Cromwell 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Pearl Cohn | 2024 TN , Javion Kinnard and others returning for the 2023 season.
6. Lipscomb Academy Mustangs
– It will be a brand new era for the Mustangs as they are transitioning up to the D2-Class AAA ranks while also bringing in a whole new coaching staff, that has yet to be named but this program is loaded with young talent that is capable of being there to compete for a title at the end. A lot of veteran pieces must be placed on this team, which means tons of youthful talent will be given the opportunity to start to become household names. One area that will be strong in 2023 for LA will be their O-line, led by 2025 stud Chauncey Gooden Chauncey Gooden 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN .
7. CPA Lions
– Head coach Ingle Martin did a great job of battling through a tough season and schedule to place his team in the D2-Class AA title game for the 2nd year in a row and he could do that again in 2023 as his Lions have some strong talent returning, especially on defense and up front. The Lions have two Power Five studs on defense in Crews Law Crews Law 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB CPA | 2024 State TN and Ondre Evans Ondre Evans 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB CPA | 2024 State TN and a solid defensive line in front of them while also sporting a good O-line as well, led by P5 prospect John Wayne Oliver John Wayne Oliver 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL CPA | 2024 State TN and up and comer Brady Smith Brady Smith 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL CPA | 2025 State TN .
8. Germantown Red Devils
– If this football team can find a replacement for Isaiah Tate Isaiah Tate 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2023 State TN , the Red Devils might be a team to watch for that Class 6A title as they return a lot of young talent that received great experience this past season and should be poised for big years in 2023. Where Germantown should be especially strong is on defense where they have some dudes up front in D.J. Allen D.J. Allen 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Germantown | 2024 State TN , Daniel Anderson Daniel Anderson 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Germantown | 2024 State TN and Kylan Dickey Kylan Dickey 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Germantown | 2024 TN along with an athletic secondary, led by Jabari Jackson Jabari Jackson 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Germantown | 2024 State TN . Junior athlete Jamarion Morrow Jamarion Morrow 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Germantown | 2025 State TN will be one of the best overall talents in the state for the 2023 season.
9. Knox. Webb Spartans
– Knox. Webb put together one of their best season’s in quite some time last Fall and the winning could continue in 2023 as the Spartans return some athletic juice on offense with Markeis Barrett Markeis Barrett 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN and sophomore speedster Shavar Young along with some strong parts on defense, led by seniors Xavier Hickman Xavier Hickman 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN and Cooper Cameron Cooper Cameron 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN . The biggest reason why these Spartans could be a state title threat is the potential of sophomore gunslinger Elias Childers Elias Childers 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Knox. Webb | 2026 State TN and his ability to throw it anywhere on the field.
10. Houston Mustangs
– Battling with Germantown for that top 6A spot in Memphis should be these Mustangs as they return possibly the best offense in the city, led by Mr. Football candidate Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN . Joining Sisa in the backfield will be junior passer Chandler Day and he has a strong #1 option at wideout to throw to in Shawne Jones Shawne Jones 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Houston | 2024 State TN . Houston must replace some pieces on the O-line but they should be solid in their defensive front with returning juniors in Garrett Hagan Garrett Hagan 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Houston | 2025 State TN and Kedrick Donald Kedrick Donald 6'0" | 245 lbs | DL Houston | 2025 TN .
11. Alcoa Tornadoes
– The only reason the Tornadoes are not in the preseason Top 10 is because they are having to replace a lot of good seniors on offense but this is still “Alcoa” and they will find replacements but what should lead the way for this program in the 2023 season is their defense. The Tornadoes will be strong within their front seven, led by standouts Joe McCord Joe McCord 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN , Elijah Cannon Elijah Cannon 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 State TN , Brayden Cornett Brayden Cornett 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Alcoa | 2024 TN and Kaden Bogan Kaden Bogan 6'0" | 210 lbs | DL Alcoa | 2024 TN along with versatile two-way threat Brennen Duggan roaming on the back end. Watchout for junior receiver Luke Cannon to have a breakout season on offense for Alcoa.
12. Haywood Tomcats
– The Tomcats fell just short in their aspirations of winning a state title last season but they should remain hungry for their 2023 campaign as they return some serious firepower on offense and some future college studs on defense that will help them compete for the 4A title. Senior quarterback Cordero Walker Cordero Walker 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Germantown | 2024 State TN should be one of the best at his position in the West Tennessee region while he has a workhorse at RB in Camarion Miller Camarion Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Haywood | 2025 State TN to lean on. Over on defense, the Tomcats have two stars in Bishop Owens Bishop Owens 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL Haywood | 2024 TN and Elijah Fateux that will lead the way with other talented underclassmen behind them.
13. Collierville Dragons
– For most of the 2022 season, the Dragons looked like the best team in the 6A ranks but now they must replace a strong senior class and lean on several replacements. What they do have however is the best quarterback in the state in Aidan Glover Aidan Glover 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Collierville | 2024 State TN and a solid O-line up front to protect him. They also have a nice piece in the secondary to build around in Kameron Herring Kameron Herring 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Collierville | 2024 State TN . Watch out for rising junior receiver Joakim Dodson Joakim Dodson 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Baylor | 2025 State TN to have a breakout year and position himself as one of the top prospects from his recruiting class.
14. Page Patriots
– This is one of the most consistent programs in the state right now and after back to back state title appearances and returning some future college players for the 2023 year, I expect the Patriots to remain in the 5A title mix next season. It all starts up front for Page with Ronan O’Connell Ronan O’Connell 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Page | 2024 State TN , A.J. Johnson and basically the rest of the starters from last year returning along a fierce defensive front seven, led by star juniors Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN and Brenden Anes Brenden Anes 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Page | 2025 State TN . If the Patriots can find some replacements at receiver and in the secondary, watch out for Page yet again in 2023.
15. Centennial Cougars
– The Cougars busted out during the 2022 season to become one of the best teams from the Mid-Tennessee region and a lot of that talent returns this coming Fall. They look like a well balanced team with Taner Lee Taner Lee 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Centennial | 2024 State TN and Jyrine Otey on offense along with Keenen Scruggs, D.J. Curll D.J. Curll 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Centennial | 2024 State TN and Dominic Reed Dominic Reed 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2024 State TN on defense as well as athletic studs Kani Johnson and Jayden George Jayden George 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Centennial | 2024 State TN going both ways. If the Cougars can find a good replacement for Brendan Jones Brendan Jones 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Centennial | 2023 TN at QB, watch out for this Williamson County program.
16. MUS Owls
– Over the course of the 2022 season, these Owls got better and better and they did that winning with a bunch of young guys who will be seasoned and ready to breakout next year. The Owls like to lean on a veteran quarterback, so that position is still up in the air but around them is a multitude of athletic talent, led by two-way player Brandon Nicholson Brandon Nicholson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB MUS | 2024 State TN . MUS should be solid on offense but it’s their defense, led by studs Dion Stutts Dion Stutts 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL MUS | 2024 TN and Gavin Helton Gavin Helton 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB MUS | 2024 State TN , that will lead the way.
17. Gatlinburg-Pittman Highlanders
– The Highlanders had a banner year in 2022 and they return a lot of talent from that team for the 2023 campaign in which could finally be the year where they break past Alcoa for the region title. Pittman is loaded on offense with Brady Hammonds Brady Hammonds 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN slinging the ball at QB and strong weapons around him in senior wideout Carlos Orr Carlos Orr 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN and junior running back Tegan Avera Tegan Avera 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Sevier Co. | 2025 State TN . Senior two-way talent Whittman Whaley Whittman Whaley 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN is a game changer as well that could be in the mix for Mr. Football after the 2023 season.
18. Brentwood Bruins
– This could be the surprise team from the 6A ranks next season as the Bruins started to come on strong down the stretch last year and they did that with a lot of young players who began to come into their own by season’s end. What this Bruins program likes to do is beat you up front physically and that should remain the recipe for the 2023 season. Their defense should lead the way with several key parts returning, including seniors Cooper MacAfee and defensive back Jackson Lowe Jackson Lowe 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Brentwood | 2024 State TN .
19. Fayetteville Tigers
– That elusive “Gold Ball” that these Tigers thought was in their grasp last year did not come true but they could change that in 2023 as Fayetteville returns some firepower and up and coming prospects on defense that could lead this program back to the 1A title game. Their rushing attack is what will be the Tigers main force next season, led by college future players in senior back K.J. Jackson K.J. Jackson 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Fayetteville | 2024 TN and junior quarterback/athlete Sam Willoughby Sam Willoughby 6'6" | 190 lbs | ATH Fayetteville | 2025 State TN . The Tigers must replace some key players up front but Cole Cash Cole Cash 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Fayetteville | 2024 State TN is a talented piece to build around.
20. Riverdale Warriors
– This is a sneaky good team for me going into the 2023 season due to the return of one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Braden Graham Braden Graham 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Riverdale | 2024 State TN and an athletic and talented secondary (led by Keshawn Williams Keshawn Williams 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Riverdale | 2024 State TN ) that should put a few guys into the college ranks. Yes this Warriors team must place star players ( Caleb Herring Caleb Herring 6'6" | 215 lbs | LB Riverdale | 2023 State TN , Issac Oglesby) but they have enough talent spread throughout their roster to grow this offseason and become a formidable opponent next Fall.
21. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears
– Mt. Juliet is an intriguing team for me that could build off their 2022 success or take a step back due to a big senior class graduating. The Golden Bears have some nice young pieces to build around, especially in the offensive backfield with Tyler Travers Tyler Travers 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB Mt. Juliet | 2025 State TN at quarterback and Jon-Mikeal Crudup and Harrison Edwards Harrison Edwards 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH Lebanon | 2025 TN carrying the ball. They also have some solid pieces on defense with Atticus Fiorita Atticus Fiorita 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Mt. Juliet | 2025 State TN and Cayson Walz Cayson Walz 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Mt. Juliet | 2024 TN but the Golden Bears must find some horses up front if they want to become the best team they can be.
22. Oak Ridge Wildcats
– For several seasons now, these Wildcats have had the talent that many felt could lead them to possible state titles but that hasn’t happened yet but maybe the 2023 season could finally be the year. While the Cats must replace Hundley and a few others, they return some strong pieces, especially on offense with some serious firepower in Brandon Heyward Brandon Heyward 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN and DeJauvis Joiner at running back. Elijah Bradley Elijah Bradley 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Oak Ridge | 2024 State TN is a name to watch on defense along with a new starter at quarterback in Ethan Garza Ethan Garza 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Oak Ridge | 2024 TN .
23. MASE Phoenix
– The Phoenix came up one game short this past season but their spirits shouldn’t be down as they return a talented group of seniors next year that very well could lead them to the Class 1A title. Everything starts for the Phoenix with Mr. Football candidate Kumaro Brown Kumaro Brown 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH M.A.H.S. | 2024 State TN , who is a future D1 player along with a physical defense, led by seniors Lance Taylor Lance Taylor 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Bartlett | 2024 State TN and Jaden Lenore Jaden Lenore 6'3" | 320 lbs | DL M.A.H.S. | 2024 State TN . MASE must find some guys to step up at the skill positions but the Phoenix has enough talent to make a run into the championship game.
24. Powell Panthers
– Many people might look past the Panthers going into next year as they will lose their stars (Potts, Greene, Redmond) but don’t sleep on these guys as they may be just as good but done so in different ways. The Panthers had to groom a young O-line last season and most of those guys will be back next year but they also have a talented running back to lean on in Conner Wheeler and a star on defense in Steven Soles, Jr Steven Soles, Jr 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Powell | 2024 State TN to build around. It might take a few weeks to gel together but watch out for these Panthers by season’s end.
25. Jefferson Co. Patriots
– The Patriots put forth a winning record and a solid season in 2022 but they should have big expectations going into 2023 as they have a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield that can lead them on a deep playoff run. That potent duo includes senior quarterback Izaiah Hall Izaiah Hall 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson Co. | 2024 State TN and his backfield teammate in running back Omarian Mills Omarian Mills 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Jefferson Co. | 2024 State TN . Those two seniors have played a lot of snaps for the Patriots and should be the focal point of every defense they come across throughout the 2023 campaign.
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Others Considered
South Pitt, Riverside, Lewis Co., Union City, East Nashville, Marshall Co., Stone Memorial, Red Bank, Macon Co., Hardin Co., Southwind