#TN2025 Early Look: Top East TN Talent
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As we roll through the senior recruiting process, coaches are paying attention to those rising juniors and marking them as top talent. Here are the guys from the East TN region who stand out right now as the top guys.…
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As we roll through the senior recruiting process, coaches are paying attention to those rising juniors and marking them as top talent. Here are the guys from the East TN region who stand out right now as the top guys.
(QB) Weston Edmondson Weston Edmondson 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB GCA | 2025 State TN (6’5 205) – GCA
– As things right now, Edmondson looks like the top quarterback talent from the East TN region in the #TN2025 class. A true pocket passer with size and a big right arm, Edmondson has the physical tools to play on the next level with the demeanor and poise to excel in a starting role. He needs to continue working on his athleticism and mobility along with continuing to learn reading coverage but the potential is certainly there. His performance this summer in camps and this Fall will dictate where he stands among the top QB’s in the state for the 2025 class and beyond with his recruitment.
(RB) Daune Morris Daune Morris 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oakland | 2025 State TN (5’10 180) – Red Bank
– Morris currently sits as one of the top overall offensive talents from our #TN2025 and I don’t expect that to change moving forward. Elusive and fast with quick feet, Morris is a dynamic runner who has the ability to hit the home run or use his physicality to bounce off tacklers. The Lions rising junior already holds one of the best offer sheets from the junior class and Morris will continue to add more Power Five offers over the coming months as he remains in development mode and college coaches are able to watch this guy perform in camps and the Fall football season.
(RB) Isaiah Davis Isaiah Davis 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cleveland | 2025 State TN (5’11 170) – Cleveland
– A track star with big time speed, Davis already looks like one of the fastest prospects from our in-state #TN2025 class and a talent that will only get better the more he develops his body and football knowledge. Speed is the stand out trait for Davis but he also sports excellent vision and the ability to catch the ball out the backfield. He shows solid strength on film but does need to keep hitting the weight room to see his talents shine even brighter. The offers have yet to come in for this Blue Raider ball carrier but they will arrive, turning Davis into one of the top recruited backs in the state.
(RB) Tegan Avera Tegan Avera 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Sevier Co. | 2025 State TN (5’10 172) – Gatlinburg-Pittman
– The leading returning rusher from the East Tennessee region, Avera had a breakout year last season as a junior, establishing himself as one of the top running backs in the state from his recruiting class and someone that should see a spike in his recruitment sooner than later. The Highlanders ball carrier is fast with quick feet but it’s his vision and balance that stand out the most to me when watching his film. Avera does need to continue adding more size to withstand the physicality a runner takes on the next level but the talent is there to not only excel on the next level but develop into an every down starter.
(TE) Cameron Sparks Cameron Sparks 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Baylor | 2025 State TN (6’4 215) – Baylor
– An athletic pass catcher with tons of upside, Sparks is considered not only a top recruit in this state but also a national prospect that has just about every Power Five school in pursuit. Forming possibly the best tight end duo in the country with Ohio St. commit Max LeBlanc Max LeBlanc 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Baylor | 2024 State TN , Sparks is a multi faceted pass catcher that has the body to grow into an in-line blocker but also a guy that can stretch the field, working out of the slot. Don’t expect anything to change with Sparks regarding his position in the state as a top recruit as this guy will only get better with more experience and development both on and off the field.
(TE) Eli Owens Eli Owens 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Alcoa | 2025 State TN (6’3 230) – Alcoa
– Many people across the state are well aware of this East Tennessee tight end as Owens has a been an active name on the recruiting trail for some time now, positioning himself as one of the top offensive talents from our #TN2025 class. A power forward style pass catcher with glue like hands, Owens is a mismatch problem for defenders based around his athleticism and physicality. The Tornadoes rising junior does a good job at boxing out his opponent and providing his quarterback a big target to throw at. Many Power Five programs have already offered Owens and I expect many others to join the party sooner than later.
(OL) Jimmy Bryson Jimmy Bryson 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor | 2025 State TN (6’4 265) – Baylor
– This coming Fall will be a breakout campaign for this junior offensive lineman as Bryson has the build, football smarts and overall abilities to turn into one of the best prospects at his position for the junior class, turning himself into a national recruit. That process may come quicker this summer when this Red Raiders O-lineman hits the summer camp scene, working out in front of Power Five and D1 coaches, where I think those elusive offers will finally arrive. Well balanced with great feet and a strong upper base, Bryson has all the tools to develop into a possible college tackle or slide inside to dominate at guard or center.
(OT/G) Otto VanRensburg Otto VanRensburg 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Sevier Co. | 2025 State TN (6’4 275) – Sevier Co.
– Sevier Co. has been putting out some good college talent over recent years and Van Rensburg looks like the next guy in line to reach the big stage. Sporting good size along with a nice build for added weight, Van Rensburg put together a strong sophomore year, establishing himself as someone that could develop as a pass blocking tackle. He has good feet along with a nice arm extension while sporting natural athletic abilities that can be utilized in multiple roles across the O-line. He does need to keep forming his body and learning the game but the potential is definitely there to become a D1 college prospect.
(OL/DL) LeState Williams LeState Williams 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Clinton | 2025 GA (6’3 285) – Clinton
– Williams has burst onto the scene this offseason after putting together a strong sophomore year that has now landed him a handful of D1, FCS offers and many others showing interest. Williams is an intriguing talent that could develop on either side of the ball due to his athleticism and build but right now, I feel his upside might sit best on the offensive line. The Dragons junior blocker shows on film the upside to handle some tackle responsibilities on the next level but his potential could sit best inside at either guard or center. His workload needs to be maintained over the coming months as he has much to develop but Williams looks the part while sporting the tools to turn into a college starting O-lineman.
(DL) Nic Moore Nic Moore 6'3" | 285 lbs | DL Jefferson Co. | 2025 State TN – Jefferson Co.
– A big bodied young man with athletic flashes, Moore is a raw but talented D-lineman that has the physical look and upside to reach the college game with continued development. What Moore brings to the table that will intrigue collegiate coaches is size and lower base mobility that can be used in several ways across the defensive line. Moore shows pass rush potential from the middle of the line while also sporting the physical size to make a difference against the run. More work on his technique while also understanding the game further will help this guy’s stock grow further, turning himself into one of the more hotly pursued D-linemen from our #TN2025 class.
(S) Martels Carter Jr Martels Carter Jr 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Paducah Tilghman | 2025 State KY (6’0 190) – Brainerd
– One of the more well known names from the greater Chattanooga area, Carter, Jr is a versatile secondary defender that has the physical look of a safety but the athleticism to fill in at nickel if needed, so you can see why collegiate coaches are in pursuit of this East TN defensive back. Well put together physically with long arms and active feet, Carter, Jr is a rangy safety that uses his speed and length to make plays on the ball while also coming up to make the big hit. At this point, Carter, Jr holds plenty of D1 offers but is missing some of the big time schools and I think that might change in time with continued development.
(Ath) Carson Lawrence Carson Lawrence 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB McCallie | 2025 State TN (6’2 185) – McCallie
– This guy may have as much talent and upside as anybody on this list as Lawrence has the physical size, athletic skills and playmaking abilities to develop at either receiver or safety on the next level. Holding several P5, D1 offers in hand already, Lawrence is a marked man on the recruiting trail due to his potential but it depends on which schools you talk to as to what position this Blue Tornado athlete is being recruited for. Personally, I feel his upside may fit best on defense where his size and length can make a difference but either way, Lawrence is a talented young man with a bright future.
(Ath) J’Alan Terry J’Alan Terry 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Bradley Cent. | 2025 State TN (5’10 185) – Bradley Central
– A multi talented offensive weapon with a versatile skill set, Terry is a playmaker that simply needs the ball in his hands and he will create a big play. Well put together physically, this East Tennessee playmaker is one of the more versatile prospects from our #TN2025 class as Terry could develop and excel at either running back or slot receiver in college. This is a guy that I feel could step into an offense on day one and immediately contribute due to his athleticism, physical look and understanding of the game. Terry holds a few offers currently but I feel the flood gates will open eventually as this guy brings too much athletic value to the football field.
Other East TN Juniors To Know
(QB) Landen Hensley Landen Hensley 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Anderson Co. | 2025 TN – Campbell Co.
(RB) Price Davis Price Davis 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Maryville | 2025 State TN – Maryville, Abu Keefer Abu Keefer 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Powell | 2025 TN – Powell
(WR) Luke Cannon Luke Cannon 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Alcoa | 2025 TN – Alcoa
(TE) Ethan Eubanks Ethan Eubanks 6'5" | 255 lbs | OL Oak Ridge | 2025 State TN – Oak Ridge
(OL) Judd Taylor Judd Taylor 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Carter | 2025 State TN – Carter, Ty Murphy Ty Murphy 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Anderson Co. | 2025 State TN – Anderson Co., Alex Boyd Alex Boyd 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Maryville | 2025 TN – Maryville, Jackson Case Jackson Case 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2025 TN – Gatlinburg-Pittman, Mason Smith Mason Smith 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Coalfield | 2025 TN – Coalfield
(LB) B.J. Wilson B.J. Wilson 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB South Doyle | 2025 TN – South Doyle
(DB) Bennett McDougal Bennett McDougal 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Whitwell | 2025 State TN – Whitwell
(Ath) A.J. Wallace A.J. Wallace 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH South Pittsburg | 2025 State TN – Chatt. Chrst., Sam Pickett Sam Pickett 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Marion Co. | 2025 State TN – Marion Co.