#TN2026 Early Look: Offensive Standouts

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dropping soon will be our 1st sophomore prospect rankings but before we get there, we must look over some of the players that will be ranked, starting with the talent on the offensive side of the ball. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This coming Fall football season will be the first time many of the prospects talked about below will be placed into starting roles and these sophomores are expected to not only contribute but become playmakers and the future of their respective programs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diving into the process of our #TN2026 rankings, what we found was definite playmakers and future Power Five, D1 prospects that already have college coaches hot on their trails and others who will be eventual household names.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterbacks&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The crop of quarterback talent that has begun to creep into the state of Tennessee has been very strong of late and our sophomore class looks as good as ever and even possibly the best overall group of signal callers to ever come out of the Volunteer State. That's a strong statement to make but as of now, it might be true as all five guys mentioned here I believe are future Power Five, D1 guys in the waiting.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Possibly the top overall prospect from our #TN2026 class, Nash. Christian quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] </strong>has already become a national prospect with just about every Power Five coaching staff in pursuit. Curtis already looks the part as he is well built physically along with a talented right arm that can make any and all throws. He has every tool you look for in a pro-style quarterback and Curtis still has three years of high school ball remaining, so the sky's the limit! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":914531,"width":574,"height":383,"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/jcurtis.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-914531" width="574" height="383" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After [player_tooltip player_id='323145' first='Whit' last='Muschamp'] heads off to college, the Baylor Red Raider offense will be in great hands with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry'] </strong>set to take over next Fall. The 6'4 passer has some of the best mechanics in the #TN2026 class and someone that has the poised outlook to play early in his college career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MBA gets to see their future at quarterback this season with 6'6 gunslinger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] </strong>ready to become the lead guy. Sporting all the physical traits you want in a college quarterback, Price is a smooth passer with good pocket mobility and the body frame to take on tons of weight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One guy who excites me a lot and sits a bit under the radar right now is Ravenwood sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola']</strong>. This off-season has been good to the Raptors quarterback as he has gotten bigger and stronger while also smoothing out his mechanics. Babalola has tremendous arm talent that should be on full display this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing future Navy quarterback Charles Robinson, Jr won't be easy but sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers'] </strong>is well equipped and ready to take over as the starter for the Knox. Webb offense. A true pocket passer with strong mechanics, Childers has shown excellent work this off-season, developing his game further and putting himself on the map as someone to follow over the next few years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Running Backs&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prospects who carry the ball tend to weed themselves out by the time we get to their senior season's and that's much of the case here with our sophomore running backs as much is left to learn about this group with tons of new names that will pop up on the radar over the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way early on for the running backs is Fairley sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816039' first='Quinnterion' last='Hollins']</strong>. This 6 '0 athletic and balanced back has already obtained several D1, FCS offers but sports the talent and upside to see bigger schools get involved sooner than later. Hollins has Mr. Football written all over him before his time is over at Fairley.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over in East Tennessee, Bearden has some big time youthful talent spread throughout their roster and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] </strong>is one of those top names. A two-way prospect who could develop at defensive back, Thompson is a well built young man that should step into a lead role at running back this Fall and begin his ascension as one of the best at his position from the sophomore class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcellus' last='Davis'] </strong>looks like the next great offensive talent to come out of Lausanne and while he may be sharing the field this Fall, this 6 '0 runner has the size and skill set to develop into a featured back and eventually become the lead dog for the Lynx offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wide Receivers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Much of the notoriety will and should go to Knox. Catholic rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] </strong>as the top wideout right now from the #TN2026 class but he has a few others on his heels ready to take that top spot. The Fighting Irish playmaker is a natural athlete that could very well develop and be placed at defensive back before his high school career is over but his upside might fit best on offense where his speed and pass catching ability can be on full display.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King is a multi talented guy who can work inside/out while also contributing on special teams as a return man or speedy gunner. He brings a lot of value to the football field and I think that's why he has tons of Power Five, D1 programs in pursuit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Picking up steam on the recruiting this off-season with offers from <strong>Tennessee, UNLV </strong>and <strong>Vanderbilt</strong>, CPA sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='824736' first='Owen' last='Cabell'] </strong>is a definite receiver to follow this Fall as he has the size, speed and ball skills that play up on the next level and he is still coming into his own as he matures into his body and continues learning the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll'] </strong>has yet to really make a name for himself on the field but he holds all the physical traits and athletic abilities that college coaches like and playing under the pass happy offense of head coach <strong>Chandler Tygard</strong>, this Blue Raiders pass catcher should continue to see his stock rise this Fall season as the team's possible #1 receiving target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for Southwind sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851932' first='Willie' last='Wilkins']</strong>. This youngster is a natural athlete with true playmaking abilities and speed that can be utilized in multiple ways on offense, as well as special teams. Big fan of this guy's upside, so it will be interesting to watch his development and progression this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tight Ends</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another national prospect from the offensive side of the ball, DCA tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284144' first='Carson' last='Sneed'] </strong>is a massive young man that has obtained a lot of big time offers up to this point but he must back it up on the field this season as the Wildcats top threat on offense and a marked young man that the opposition will be targeting to stop.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sneed is so big and so young that I could see him developing at other positions moving forward. Depending on how he grows, the Wildcats sophomore could become an offensive tackle or defensive lineman down the line and I think collegiate coaches are recruiting him as an athlete right now with those possibilities in mind.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young and inexperienced but big and talented, Green Hill sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856164' first='Ayden' last='Sadler'] </strong>is a future name to know and a product that has Power Five, D1 upside written all over him. Already standing 6 '5 with long arms and a great build for added weight, Sadler is a two sport guy (basketball) with natural athletic abilities and the look of a playmaking, pass catching college tight end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":555588,"width":408,"height":612,"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/Carson-Sneed.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-555588" width="408" height="612" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Linemen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top positions in this state over the last few years when it comes to college recruiting has been the offensive line and for the #TN2026 class, we already have a few guys worthy of the next level with plenty of others yet to be found. The offensive line is a position that continues to evolve over the high school years, so tons of new names will crop up in the trenches over the coming months but these guys mentioned here are already on the radar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top name on the board at the moment for the O-line is Brainerd big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402549' first='Jarvis' last='Strickland'], Jr</strong>. The 6 '6 trench monster looks the part walking off the bus, sporting all the physical abilities and traits you look for in a pass blocking tackle but he must back it up as the Panthers sophomore will be dealing with high expectations as the possible top talent at his position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest Christian sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425182' first='Andre' last='Amos, Jr'] </strong>is someone I like a alot and a talent that I feel could play multiple roles across the offensive line, including on the outside at tackle. Amos, Jr is a broad shouldered guy with big, powerful hands and excellent lower base mobility.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landing an offer from Tennessee this summer, Bearden big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284141' first='Brody' last='Smith'] </strong>put himself on the map with a strong off-season by showing good balance, mobility and pass blocking upside. The Bulldogs sophomore also has good size and length along with a frame that can take on the needed weight to compete on the highest level of college football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new name to the state of Tennessee,&nbsp; sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane'] </strong>made the move from North Georgia to Cookeville this off-season and while he isn't a name on many people's radars right now, he is definitely on mine and someone with the look and skill set to become a highly recruited prospect down the road.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guy with the most experience of any O-lineman is this guy from Page, who stepped into the center role last year as a freshman and more than handled himself, he showed dominating moments. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853121' first='Jacob' last='Rathbone'] </strong>is a clean, steady performer that has good size, football smarts and the versatility to handle all interior O-line roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":914533,"width":467,"height":467,"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/amos.webp?w=658" alt="" class="wp-image-914533" width="467" height="467" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->