D2-Class A Preview: Predictions, MVP’s & More
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This classification is underclassmen heavy when it comes to star power, which should tell you how wide open the D2-Class A ranks are for the Fall season. Inside we predict each region & it’s MVP’s along w/ your preseason Mr.…
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Continue ReadingThis classification is underclassmen heavy when it comes to star power, which should tell you how wide open the D2-Class A ranks are for the Fall season. Inside we predict each region & it’s MVP’s along w/ your preseason Mr. Football candidates for the 2023 football year.
D2-Class A
East Region
1. MTCS
2. Friendship Christian
3. Ezell Harding
4. King’s Academy
5. Providence Chrst. Academy
Region MVP: (RB/S) Eli Wilson Eli Wilson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB MTCS | 2024 State TN – MTCS
Off. POTY: (RB/S) Eli Wilson Eli Wilson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB MTCS | 2024 State TN – MTCS
Lineman POTY: (OL) Jesse Perry Jesse Perry 6'7" | 285 lbs | OL MTCS | 2024 State TN – MTCS
Def. POTY: (LB) Brooks Jones Brooks Jones 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB MTCS | 2024 TN – MTCS
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Middle Region
1. Nash. Christian
2. DCA
3. Columbia Academy
4. Clarksville Academy
5. Franklin-Grace
6. MJCA
Region MVP: (QB) Jared Curtis Jared Curtis 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nash. Christian | 2026 State TN – Nash. Christian ‘26
Off. POTY: (QB) Jared Curtis Jared Curtis 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nash. Christian | 2026 State TN – Nash. Christian ‘26
Lineman POTY: (OL) Brendan Rainey – Nash. Christian
Def. POTY: (DE/LB) Ryan Demonbreun Ryan Demonbreun 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Nash. Christian | 2024 TN – Nash. Christian
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West Region
1. Jackson Christian
2. Trinity Chrst. Academy
3. Fayette Academy
4. First Assembly
5. Tipton-Rosemark
6. Harding Academy
Region MVP: (Ath) Jaylen Mosley Jaylen Mosley 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN – Jackson Christian ‘25
Off. POTY: (WR) Brayden Waller Brayden Waller 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR TCA | 2025 State TN – TCA ‘25
Lineman POTY: (DE/LB) Kaleb Newsome – Jackson Christian
Def. POTY: (LB/RB) Lekhy Thompkins – TCA ‘26
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D2-Class A Preseason Mr. Football Candidates
(QB) Elijah DeMoss-Aldridge Elijah DeMoss-Aldridge 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB South Gibson | 2024 TN – Jackson Christian
– A sneaky candidate for Mr. Football is this Eagles quarterback with dual threat abilities and the talent to put up big numbers this Fall both through the air and on the ground. DeMoss-Aldridge is one of the more athletic quarterbacks we have from our #TN2024 class and sits as the starter behind center for a team that could not only win their region but compete for a D2-Class A state championship. The Eagles senior leader will receive some help this season with few studs around him on offense as well as a defense that should be improved and able to get DeMoss-Aldridge back on the field as much as possible.
Being in the mix for region and state titles along with DeMoss-Aldridge producing at a high level should put this West Tennessee quarterback in the mix for Mr. Football but that all must be accomplished first. Where confidence in DeMoss-Aldridge comes from is his game changing, playmaking abilities from his quarterback position that should give opposing defenses problems. If he remains healthy and the Eagles win a lot of ball games, DeMoss-Aldridge should be in consideration for the state’s top individual honors.
‘26 (QB) Jared Curtis Jared Curtis 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nash. Christian | 2026 State TN – Nash. Christian
– Can a sophomore be the front runner for Mr. Football honors in the D2-Class A ranks? It’s very possible as Curtis is that talented and the clear cut top recruit from this level that will have everybody’s attention this season. A strong armed passer with all the physical tools to compete in the college game, Curtis can put up some big numbers through the air this season while leading his Eagles team to a region title, which in turn should put this Nashville native in the mix for Mr. Football.
Possibly the biggest point towards Curtis not winning this honor would be the fact that he is only a sophomore. Not too many underclassmen in the sophomore realm have won Mr. Football but Curtis is as good a candidate as we have had in some time. He has some good pieces around him on offense as well as a strong offensive line in front of him to get him upright. If Curtis stays healthy, produces big offensive numbers and the Eagles go on to win their region, this Power Five offered quarterback will certainly be in the mix for Mr. Football and it would not be surprising to see him walk away as the winner.
(RB/S) Eli Wilson Eli Wilson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB MTCS | 2024 State TN – MTCS
– If a pre-season pick to win D2-Class A Mr. Football was in the cards, this Murfreesboro area two-way athlete might be the guy! Wilson is a multi year starter who has been a big offensive producer for the Cougars that might be in store for his best season yet. While everybody will have their eyes on Curtis, this athletic ball carrier and ball hawk on defense might be the most important player to the Cougars team and their efforts in winning a state championship this year.
Wilson is a threat to create big plays every time he touches the ball and will be a great complement to Curtis and the Eagles passing attack. This Mid-Tennessee talent is a speedster too, who can find a crease and turn on the jets, racing for the end zone. Competing for Mr. Football is certainly in the cards for Wilson as he is a well versed football player that has proved his worth already throughout his high school career, so he is a known name that should remain in the mix for top individual honors by the end of the regular season as well as possibly lead his team to Chattanooga and compete for a state title.
‘25 (RB) Montae Baldwin Montae Baldwin 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Columbia Academy | 2025 TN – Columbia Academy
– If the Bulldogs of Columbia Academy plan to compete for a region title this year, Baldwin must play at a high level and produce big yards and if he does, Mr. Football could be in consideration. An elusive runner with a second gear, Baldwin is a big play threat from his running back position that can be a difference maker for the Bulldogs this year and a guy they can lean on in pursuit of victories. Defense’s have a hard time finding Baldwin due to his size and once he hits the open field, he is hard to catch up with as his speed takes over.
This junior season ahead is a big one for Baldwin as he looks to establish himself as a legitimate college recruit and putting up a big season on the ground as well as possibly walking away with Mr. Football would certainly boost his stock. Columbia Academy should have its best team it’s had in some years with them possibly being in the mix for a region title. Those aspirations can come true if the entire team plays up to their capabilities and Baldwin remains healthy, producing at a high level. If that becomes the case, Baldwin very well could be in contention to win Mr. Football.
‘26 (RB/LB) Lekhy Thompkins – TCA
– Thompkins had a tremendous debut high school season last year as a freshman that put him on the map as someone to watch over the next three years and a future college guy as this Jackson area performer has already landed a few D1 offers. A big powerful runner with deceptive speed, Thompkins is a load at running back that defenses will have a hard time slowing down due to his size and ability to find the open field. What makes Thompkins a candidate for Mr. Football is not only because of his rushing on offense but also his play on defense, where he might be the Lions top tackler.
Big numbers are expected for Thompkins this season both on offense and defense. If this West Tennessee product does produce at a high level, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be in consideration for top honors in the D2-Class A ranks, especially with his TCA in the mix for a region title. Much has to go right this year and Thompkins must produce and stay healthy but this sophomore is definitely a candidate for Mr. Football and it should remain that way until he graduates.
‘25 (Ath) Jaylen Mosley Jaylen Mosley 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Jackson Christian | 2025 State TN – Jackson Christian ‘25
– One of the top college football recruits from the D2-Class A ranks, Mosley is a clear cut candidate to contend for Mr. Football but also be a key catalyst towards leading his Eagles team to a region title and possible a deep playoff run. Mosley is a natural athlete that knows how to make big plays and with another offseason under his belt, this West Tennessee talent has gotten bigger and faster, so watch out for a monster year!
Mosley will be expected to produce at a high level as the teams starting running back but also it’s ball hawk in the secondary. The Eagles junior goes both ways and could head into college on either side of the ball as Mosley is that talented. He should produce big numbers this Fall on both offense and defense, presenting a big case for Mosley to not only contend for Mr. Football but possibly be the winner, who will also remain a top contender for this award next Fall for his senior season.
Other Contenders: (LB) Brooks Jones Brooks Jones 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB MTCS | 2024 TN – MTCS, (RB) Tyson Wolcott – FCS, ‘25 (QB) Mitchell Carey Mitchell Carey 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB DCA | 2025 TN – DCA, ‘25 (WR) Brayden Waller Brayden Waller 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR TCA | 2025 State TN – TCA