D2-Class AA Preview: Predictions, MVP’s & More
In this article:
The terrain within this classification changed in the off-season, providing programs an opportunity to rise up in the ranks & become state champion contenders. Who are the teams to watch out for within the AA D2-Class for the 2023 season?…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe terrain within this classification changed in the off-season, providing programs an opportunity to rise up in the ranks & become state champion contenders. Who are the teams to watch out for within the AA D2-Class for the 2023 season? Find out below!
East Region
1. Knox. Webb
2. Boyd Buchanan
3. Chatt. Christian
4. CAK
5. Notre Dame
6. Lakeway Christian
7. GCA
8. Silverdale Academy
Region MVP: (WR) Markeis Barrett Markeis Barrett 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb
Off. POTY: (QB) Houston Hicks Houston Hicks 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Boyd Buchanan | 2025 State TN – Boyd Buchanan ‘25
Lineman POTY: (OL/DL) Xavier Hickman Xavier Hickman 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb
Def. POTY: (LB) Cooper Cameron Cooper Cameron 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb
———
Middle Region
1. CPA
2. FRA
3. Davidson Academy
4. BGA
5. Pope Prep
6. Goodpasture
7. The Webb School
Region MVP: (LB/RB) Crews Law Crews Law 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
Off. POTY: (RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN – FRA
Lineman POTY: (OL) John Wayne Oliver John Wayne Oliver 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
Def. POTY: (LB) Crews Law Crews Law 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
———
West Region
1. Lausanne
2. Northpoint Chrst.
3. USJ
4. St. Georges
5. ECS
6. St. Benedict
Region MVP: (WR) C.J. Jordan C.J. Jordan 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Lausanne | 2024 State TN – Lausanne
Off. POTY: (QB) Jack Patterson Jack Patterson 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Northpoint Christian | 2024 State TN – Northpoint Chrst.
Lineman POTY: (OL) Luke Work Luke Work 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2024 State TN – Lausanne,
Def. POTY: (LB) Andrew Temko Andrew Temko 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Northpoint Christian | 2024 TN – Northpoint Chrst.
———————————–
D2-Class AA Preseason Mr. Football Candidates
(QB) Braden Streeter Braden Streeter 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
– Being the starting the quarterback for a possible state title team almost automatically puts you in the mix for Mr. Football and that looks like the case for Streeter as the 6 ‘2 senior passer holds that role this year and he sports the talent to walk away with the classification’s top individual honor. Streeter is a smooth passing righty with a great feel for the pocket and the arm strength to push it down field. He also has some good pieces out wide to make him look good and boost his passing yards. The CPA offense could be high scoring and explosive this year but it all starts with Streeter and his progression as a passer.
If the Lions O-line can keep Streeter up right and healthy as well as the receivers doing their job, I could see this future Delaware Blue Hen become not just a finalist for Mr. Football but a dark horse to win the award. His numbers should be strong and CPA should win their region, so it’s all about Streeter’s consistency and the competition around him that will dictate where he stands when it comes to Mr. Football consideration.
(QB) Jack Patterson Jack Patterson 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Northpoint Christian | 2024 State TN – Northpoint Chrst.
– One of the top returning passers from the D2-Class AA ranks is this 6’2 gunslinger with size and poise who might be in store for his best season yet and a possible shot at winning a region title along with consideration for Mr. Football. Recently committing to Central Arkansas, Patterson is a polished passer with multiple years of starting experience and the arm talent to take his Trojans team a long way this 2023 season. They are definitely in the mix for a region title and have enough team talent to compete for the D2-Class AA state championship as well.
If the Trojans are a successful team this season, Patterson should definitely be in the mix for Mr. Football or at least be in consideration. I fully expect this Memphis area passer to put up another 2,000 plus passing season along with an increase with his rushing, so the numbers will be there but will the victories? We shall see but I do know Patterson can sling it and will be one of the top prospects from this level to pay attention to throughout the coming season.
(QB) Knox Roberts Knox Roberts 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Davidson Acad. | 2024 State TN – Davidson Acad.
– Roberts comes back for his senior season as one of the more seasoned quarterbacks in the state and someone who has put up a lot of yards throughout the years but can he end his high school career with a possible region title and even maybe Mr. Football? That is yet to be determined but this Mid-Tennessee passer is a strong candidate for that award and a prospect that can take his recruiting stock to another level this year with continued progression and team success.
It could be an uphill battle for Roberts to become a finalist for Mr. Football as his team isn’t viewed as strongly as others within their region but the Bears have enough talent to make people wrong. Roberts in particular can put his team on his back and push them to success, as long as others contribute as well. He may have to put up a lot yards through the air to win ball games this year and if Roberts is able to succeed in those efforts, his contention for Mr. Football becomes stronger and maybe even become a finalist by the end of the regular season.
(RB) Ty Clark III Ty Clark III 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB FRA | 2024 State TN – FRA
– One of the top returning productive running backs in the state, regardless of classification, is this Nashville area ball carrier that is a prime candidate this season to walk with Mr. Football honors but also be the team’s major force that could lead the Panthers on a deep playoff run. Well built physically with power and speed, Clark III is a balanced running back that brings a little bit of everything to the field, including his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his willingness to block.
The Panthers running back is the lifeblood of the team, meaning as Clark III goes, the team goes. FRA has the ability to pass the ball but it’s their run game with Clark III and their offensive line that will be the catalyst towards a successful 2023 season. If this Panthers team stays at the top of their region, competing for a title while Clark III produces another big year on the ground, this 6’0 college recruit will certainly be in contention for Mr. Football and might even be a front runner for the top individual award.
(LB/RB) Crews Law Crews Law 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
– Law is a much heralded recruit from the Mid-Tennessee area that has played a lot of snaps for his Lions ball game over the past few years but is now headed into his senior year with eyes on a state title run and possibly in contention for Mr. Football as well. A linebacker in the college game but a two-way talent for his CPA squad, Law is a big contributor to the cause for the Lions who handles all the calls on defense and lines up on offense at running to provide some power. His contribution to the Lions team is large and someone that must be on the field this year to see his team succeed.
His presence on the field is felt due to his high octane motor and toughness that resonates throughout the entire team. Law is the heartbeat of the Lions team and a player that will have all the opportunities this season to make all the tackles he wants as well as be given a chance to run the ball on offense. If the future North Carolina Tar Heel can produce at a high level, like we think he can, Law should be in strong consideration for Mr. Football.
(WR) Markeis Barrett Markeis Barrett 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb
– Barrett cracks this list as one of the more dynamic playmakers from the D2-Class AA ranks and someone that could sneak up and win Mr. Football this year, especially if his Spartans team is highly successful. This East Tennessee talent does a little bit of everything for his squad as the team’s top receiver, a playmaker in the secondary and a contributor on special teams. Barrett brings a lot of value to the football field and his Spartans team as well as someone that can produce a lot of yards and touchdowns that should put him in contention for the classifications top individual honors.
His involvement for Mr. Football all hinges on his health as well as the team’s success. If the Spartans fall short on expectations this season, Barrett might not be involved come December but I think Knox. Webb comes away as region champs and this future Vanderbilt Commodore will be in the mix for top honors. He may be a bit of a sleeper for Mr. Football but Barrett is the kind of all around high school player that can sneak up and win this award.
(WR/DB) Ondre Evans Ondre Evans 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB CPA | 2024 State TN – CPA
– One of the more athletic players not just from the D2-Class AA ranks but also the entire state is this Lions two-way talent who some may not see as a Mr. Football contender but Evans is the best playmaker on a Lions roster that should contend for a state championship, which could put the future LSU Tiger right in the mix. Going to the SEC as a defensive back, Evans is a multi talented guy who can take the top off on offense due to his speed but also lock down opposing receivers on defense. He might also contribute in the return game as well, boosting his numbers and stock towards Mr. Football.
Evans is a critical piece on the Lions team this year and their efforts towards winning a D2-Class AA state title. There won’t be too many people in his classification that can guard Evans at wideout, so I expect big receiving yards but I can also see him pick off 5 plus passes this year as well. This Nashville area product may not be seen as a top contender now but Evans just might be by mid-year and end up becoming a finalist.
Other Contenders: (QB) Jack Wagner Jack Wagner 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN , (LB) Cooper Cameron Cooper Cameron 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Knox. Webb | 2024 State TN – Knox. Webb, ‘25 (QB) Houston Hicks Houston Hicks 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Boyd Buchanan | 2025 State TN – Boyd Buchanan, (RB) Asher Keck Asher Keck 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Boyd Buchanan | 2024 TN – Boyd Buchanan, (WR) C.J. Jordan C.J. Jordan 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Lausanne | 2024 State TN , (RB) Tyler Wilson Tyler Wilson 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Lausanne | 2024 State TN – Lausanne