Class 3A Pre-season Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">It won't be easy to win top individual honors in the Class 3A ranks this year as you have plenty of strong options and some possible sleepers that can sneak up and win! Below are the guys that we feel have the best shot to win Mr. Football in 3A this year. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leaders in the Clubhouse - Pre-season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148864' first='Cody' last='Pagach'] </strong>- Alcoa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The strength of the Tornadoes offense this Fall could be their passing attack and that's because of the addition of Pagach for the 2023 season along with talented receivers around him. Alcoa consistently wins championships while putting players in the mix for Mr. Football and I see Pagach as a clear cut candidate for those top honors by season's end. He might be joined by a teammate or two when the finalists are announced later this year but Pagach may have as best of a shot as anybody on the roster at walking away as the Class 2A Mr. Football winner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tornadoes coaching staff will run the ball to maintain balance but they might open things up much more this season having Pagach behind center. He is a cerebral passer that throws accurate passes with timing along the arm strength to push it down field. Pagach is also a good athlete that won't be the running threat but he can definitely gain positive yards. The competition for Mr. Football is stiff this year but Pagach I feel should be a top contender by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908507,"width":344,"height":361,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/cpagach.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-908507" width="344" height="361" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: QBHitList </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207312' first='Brady' last='Hammonds'] </strong>- Gatlinburg-Pittman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Everything headed into the 2023 season says that the Highlanders will be in strong competition for the Class 3A championship and if that turns out to be the case, Hammonds should be in contention for Mr. Football. This 6 '2 signal caller is the leader and young man who runs the show on offense for the Highlanders and someone poised for his best high school football season yet. A smooth passer with improved arm strength, Hammond put together a solid off-season campaign developing his skills further while getting bigger and stronger, so all the physical tools are there for Hammonds to be considered a prime contender for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be placed among the best for top honors in Class 3A, Hammonds must consistently put up strong numbers while leading his team to victories and a dominating regular season schedule. He will definitely receive help as he has two of the best offensive talents at running back and receiver from the East TN region, so I expect the Highlanders offense to be quite potent. Hammonds will have stiff competition from his teammates and others from the 3A ranks but this senior passer has to be in the mix as a top contender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":689703,"width":518,"height":345,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/bhammonds.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-689703" width="518" height="345" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB/LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149381' first='Elijah' last='Cannon'] </strong>- Alcoa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some may question why Cannon is considered a Mr. Football candidate but when you look at the layout of the Tornadoes team and you know that they like to run the ball, then you will see why this two-way talent is not only a contender but a prime candidate to walk away with Class 3A top honors. Coming off a strong junior campaign and a stellar performance in last year's 3A title game, Cannon is poised for his best season yet as I expect him to produce at a high level, putting up strong numbers at both running back and linebacker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Besides his candidacy for Mr. Football, Cannon is currently one of the top under the radar prospects from our #TN2024 class and someone still looking for a college home. His future college home could be dictated by the upcoming season he has. Playing middle linebacker, Cannon will be in position to make tons of tackles along with the athletic abilities to create plays on the defensive side of the ball as well. On offense, the Tornadoes senior will likely share the backfield but Cannon could be the lead guy and he is more than capable of getting the job done. I would not be surprised at all if Cannon becomes the Tornadoes top Mr. Football contender by season's end and winds up within the finalists in Nashville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB/Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239447' first='Kamauri' last='Turner'] </strong>- Giles Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ever since this Mid-Tennessee talent jumped into the starting lineup at Giles Co., the Bobcats have been one of the more consistent programs from his region over the past few years and I expect nothing different headed into the 2023 season with Turner running the show on offense. A versatile athlete that is well built physically, Turner is a dynamic playmaker that can handle a variety of roles but with him playing quarterback this season within a run based offense, his numbers should explode putting him in prime contention for Mr. Football honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats look equipped to become a Class 3A title contender this season, so being in championship contention could put Turner squarely in the mix for top individual honors by the end of the regular season. This team will make it into postseason play and should be the favorite to win their region. Those team honors along with Turner being the kickstarter on offense puts this Mid-Tennessee product as a prime prospect to be named as the best player overall from the Class 3A ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150298' first='Cam' last='Davis'] </strong>- Westview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A sleeper contender for Mr. Football this season, Davis is an intriguing talent that should be under the spotlight this year as the Chargers top guy and someone that should produce at a high level on both sides of the ball. Davis is a multi talented, physically well built young man that will be given the ball at a high rate on offense this year while also expecting to make plays at defensive back. If he produces this season like I think he can and the Chargers continue their winning ways, Davis should be considered a contender for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It might be an uphill battle for Davis when it comes to being in the mix for 3A Mr. Football as he will have stiff competition from top level players on top notch teams that should be competing for a championship. Westview could be in for a bit of a rebuild but Davis alone could change that narrative as might be able to put his team on his back and lead them into postseason play. The odds may not be in the favor of Davis but I like his chances as he might turn out to be one of the more productive offensive talents from the Class 3A ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":555581,"width":554,"height":369,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Camryn-Davis4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-555581" width="554" height="369" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>---------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘25 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] </strong>- Gatlinburg-Pittman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Could this rising junior running back be the leader in the clubhouse to win Mr. Football this year? That's not a wild statement as Avera burst onto the scene last year with a monster sophomore season and he returns this Fall to help push his Highlanders to a region title, compete for a state title and possibly be in Nashville as a Mr. Football finalist. Avera is a dynamic runner with excellent balance and vision along with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, so this East TN product should touch the ball a lot in a variety of ways this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Avera may be the leader on his team to compete for Mr. Football, he has a pair of teammates in Hammonds and Orr that should be in contention for top honors as well. The Highlanders could have one of the more explosive offenses not just from the East TN region but the entire state and Avera will be a major factor in that. Barring injuries or something happening within the Highlanders offense, this junior running back is poised for another big year and if all goes according to plan, Avera will be in the mix as a top candidate for 3A Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>---------</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149163' first='Carlos' last='Orr'] </strong>- Gatlinburg-Pittman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It's not too often that a wide receiver walks away with Mr. Football honors but Orr has a great shot to change that narrative this year with a strong senior season and becoming a major cog in the Highlanders path towards the 3A title game. Sporting great size and game changing abilities, Orr is the team's #1 wideout for his quarterback, who will be targeted often with the chance to find the end zone on a consistent basis. Orr will be a tough cover for most defensive backs in the 3A ranks, so I expect a monster season this Fall from this future Illinois Fighting Illini and a true contender for top individual honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gatlinburg-Pittman has a loaded offense for the 2023 Fall football season and Orr is an important piece that will shine brighter if senior two-way talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149400' first='Whittman' last='Whaley'] </strong>has another big offensive season, who can take the coverage away from the 6 '3 pass catcher, allowing him to be a true #1 target. He will be targeted often by Hammonds and complemented nicely by the running of Avera but Orr must do his part to become a top contender for Mr. Football and I think he will. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Contenders: </strong>(RB) <strong>Xzorion Randolph </strong>- Giles Co., (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258674' first='Brian' last='Rager'] </strong>- Liberty Creek, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='688717' first='Mays' last='McCoy'] </strong>- Fairview, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='364444' first='Nathan' last='Paschall'] </strong>- Dyersburg, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372997' first='Travion' last='Baker'] </strong>- Raleigh-Egypt, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466266' first='Radarious' last='Jackson'] </strong>- Sheffield, (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149400' first='Whittman' last='Whaley'] </strong>- Gatlinburg-Pittman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908513,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/katurner.webp?w=489" alt="" class="wp-image-908513" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->