Impactful #TN2026 Prospects to Watch
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As the opening kickoff to high school football action quickly approaches in the Volunteer State, it’s time to look at some intriguing rising sophomores that established themselves as explosive playmakers on the field this past season as freshmen. Without any…
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Continue ReadingAs the opening kickoff to high school football action quickly approaches in the Volunteer State, it’s time to look at some intriguing rising sophomores that established themselves as explosive playmakers on the field this past season as freshmen. Without any further ado, here’s my list of some highly impactful 2026 prospects in Tennessee to watch out for this upcoming fall.
At the top of my list of notable performers is Jared Curtis Jared Curtis 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Nash. Christian | 2026 State TN , a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback at Nashville Christian High School. In addition to outstanding size and speed, what stands out about Curtis is his footwork as well as his ability to sling darts down the field and quickly get the ball out off the snap. Curtis additionally impressed me on the ground, showing off his ability to blast past defenders with his physical edge and durability.
Another high-level prospect to keep an eye on is Carson Sneed Carson Sneed 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE DCA | 2026 State TN , a 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end at Donelson Christian Academy. With excellent height, wingspan and athleticism, Sneed was difficult to contain down the stretch as he could beat defenders to the ball in the air and efficiently break tackles en route to the endzone. Sneed also maintained solid toughness, durability and quick execution off the snap during his freshman year of high school football.
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Claiming the number three spot on my list is Briggs Cherry Briggs Cherry 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Baylor | 2026 State TN , a 6-foot-4, 195-pound quarterback at Baylor High School. What stands out about Cherry is his well-rounded playstyle as he showed off solid footwork and impressive arm strength. Cherry’s pin-point accurate passing caught my attention as he could consistently connect with his receivers in the redzone even under heavy defensive pressure. The rising sophomore also proved his ability to make smart passes and get the ball out quickly.
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I am additionally impressed with Kolby Barrett Kolby Barrett 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Maryville | 2026 State TN , a 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete at Alcoa High School. What stands out about Barrett is his overall explosive edge, footwork and ability to always be moving around. Another aspect of Barrett that caught my attention is his durability and ability to break tackles. Barrett also proved his quickness on the ground and showcased solid awareness on the defensive side of the ball as he could read the offense like a book and pounce on the opposition.
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Coming in at number five on my list of standouts is Gabe Abercrombie Gabe Abercrombie 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB McCallie | 2026 State TN , a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back at McCallie High School. In addition to outstanding size, speed and versatility, what makes Abercrombie so dangerous defensively is his overall awareness and physical edge, proving he can apply pressure, pick off the quarterback and take it to the house. Abercrombie also showcased his durability as well as his consistency in making commanding stops.