Class 1A Pre-season Mr. Football Candidates

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the best contenders to walk away with the state's top individual honors from the Class 1A ranks this season? We think these guys below are those contenders! </h2>     Leaders In The Clubhouse - Top Contenders   (QB/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='301360' first='Kamden' last='Wellington'] - South Pittsburg   The Pirates had a transition season last Fall, implementing new talent while building for this coming 2023 season and one of those guys who stepped into a major role last year and became a legit ball player was Wellington and he is poised for not only a breakout senior year but a possible run at Mr. Football.    A dual threat prospect at quarterback with an athletic profile for other positions on the collegiate level, Wellington is a dynamic playmaker that has worked hard this off-season to enhance his passing while also getting bigger and faster. Everything for the Pirates offense begins and ends with Wellington as he is their biggest playmaker and the guy who can find the end zone quickly running the ball. I expect this Chattanooga area prospect to not only put up huge numbers this season but also lead his Pirates team to a Class 1A title appearance.    ---------   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='277797' first='Dawson' last='White'] - Moore Co.   - White returns for his senior year as the leading returning rusher from the Class 1A ranks and a definite prime contender for Mr. Football by season's end. As a junior last year, White put forth a breakout campaign that put himself on the map as one of the top offensive threats from Class 1A and a player that can put his team on his back and lead them to victories. The Raiders had a banner season in 2022 but they might do even better this Fall with a possible shot at the Class 1A title and that happens if White remains healthy and consistent throughout the entire year.    He must receive help from his offensive line as well as stellar play by the Raiders defense but White has the size and running abilities to put together his best season yet and place his team in contention for not a region title but a run after the Class 1A championship. If Moore Co. puts forth that kind of year, White will definitely be in the mix to win Mr. Football.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/dawwhite.jpg?w=699" alt="" class="wp-image-827140" width="439" height="431" /></figure>   ---------   (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='207328' first='Kumaro' last='Brown'] - M.A.S.E.   - A finalist for Mr. Football last year as a junior, Brown should be in the mix yet again for top honors, especially if he and his Phoenix team make a deep run after the 1A title. A two-way talent for his MASE squad, Brown might find his way to college at defensive back but for the Phoenix, this 6'2 playmaker will be producing both ways this Fall, looking to put up big numbers on the ground at running back while picking off passes on defense in the secondary.    Brown is a natural athlete with great size and the knack for creating big plays. He will be placed in every position possible this Fall to make those plays and be the team's go-to guy on offense and their playmaker on defense. If all goes according to plan, expect to see Brown among the finalists for Mr. Football again this year and maybe possibly walk away with the top honor.    ---------   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='414886' first='Jacob' last='Arnold'] - Union City   - Arnold is a true under the radar talent throughout this current recruiting process but trust me, this West Tennessee product can run the ball and do so with consistency and violence. Returning this Fall as the one of the top leading statistical rushers, Arnold is a well built back that runs with balance while sporting excellent feet and the ability to shift directions on a dime. He is tough to stop when running downhill as tacklers tend to bounce off while Arnold keeps churning downfield.    Looking over the top contenders from the Class 1A ranks, Arnold is a clear cut favorite for Mr. Football going into the Fall season but he must live up to the hype while remaining healthy throughout the entire season. He will be part of a strong one-two punch running the ball for the Golden Tornadoes, so carries he will share but Arnold will be given every opportunity this Fall to prove his worth at becoming Mr. Football.    ---------   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='362090' first='Keaten' last='Brown'] - Union City   - The quarterback, the leader, the engine that makes the Golden Tornadoes offense runs is this 6'0 dual threat signal caller who has vastly improved his passing game this off-season, which in turn puts him closer towards contending for Mr. Football. Brown is a tough, hard nosed competitor that put up strong numbers as a junior last year, mainly on the ground but you should see an uptick in his passing numbers this season after enhancing his passing abilities this off-season.    Brown is a talented ball player that brings a variety of skills to the quarterback position but also the intangibles to not only compete for Mr. Football but also help lead his Golden Tornado team into contention for the 1A state title. It may be tough for Union City to place two guys into the finalists for Mr. Football but they have two worthy prospects in Arnold and this quarterback who I think is a sleeper for the top individual honors but also a guy that can boost his college stock with a strong senior campaign.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/kbrown.jpeg?w=883" alt="" class="wp-image-689713" width="411" height="476" /></figure>   ----------   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='466232' first='Jayden' last='Milton'] - West Carroll   - Much wasn't known about Milton going into the 2022 season but by the end of the year, this West Tennessee running back established himself as one of the best players on the Class 1A level, placing himself in strong contention this Fall for Mr. Football. Well balanced with a nice burst into the open field, Milton is the kind of talent that can take his abilities from the Class 1A ranks into the college game with continued work and especially more exposure.    Another factor that could help Milton be in contention for Mr. Football is the success of his West Carroll team and the War Eagles look like they have the pieces in place to not only compete for a region title but also place themselves in the mix for the 1A state championship. If the War Eagles are competing for state titles, Milton is a major reason why. I fully expect to see West Carroll spotlight Milton in multiple ways, giving him the ball on a consistent basis and riding his shoulders as the team's top playmaker.    Other Contenders: Tray Jefferson - Jellico, Coalton Henry - Coalfield, Blaine Woodard - Cornersville, [player_tooltip player_id='268186' first='E.J.' last='Gilliam'] - MASE, [player_tooltip player_id='281685' first='Matthew' last='Keller'] - Middle Coll.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/egilliam.jpeg?w=744" alt="" class="wp-image-268220" width="421" height="579" /></figure>