#TN2026 Rankings: Analyzing The Sophomore Class

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking through our new sophomore rankings, here we provide you a brief overview on the top talent within our "Top 50" and what to look forward to with these prospects moving forward! </h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/">#TN2026 Prospect Rankings</a>   East Tennessee   - Early on through our scouting of the 2026 class, the East Tennessee region holds an early edge on talent as this area of the state looks stacked with high level prospects and future college ball players. The top ranked prospect out of this region right now is Brainerd offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402549' first='Jarvis' last='Strickland'], who ranks as the top O-lineman from the #TN2026 class but he isn't the only guy out this area within the top ten.    Following Strickland ranked 4th overall is Knox. Catholic (TN) wideout [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King']. This athletic pass catcher has already burst onto the national recruiting scene and right now sits as the top receiver in the state with tremendous college upside. Bearden sophomore defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith'] comes in ranked 5th and could move higher in our rankings with continued work in the weight room and enhanced development on the field.    The top East TN quarterback right now and one of the best from his class appears to be Baylor sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry']. Coming in ranked 6th overall, Cherry is a tall presence behind center with excellent mechanics and a great feel for the game. This guy will only get better as he grows and matures but it will take time before he becomes the “guy” at Baylor as he sits and learns this year behind a future SEC quarterback.    - The greater Chattanooga, Southeast Tennessee area is well represented throughout our initial #TN2026 rankings and it will only grow over the coming years as more prospects come to light. Behind Cherry as the top guy from the area sits a rising D-lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='927765' first='A.J.' last='Westfield'] (Ranked 13th overall) from Cleveland that sports the size, mobility and power that collegiate coaches look for. He is still learning the game and coming into his own but the physical traits and upside are certainly there.    Westfield isn't the only rising sophomore on the Blue Raiders to know about as they have a wideout in [player_tooltip player_id='820949' first='Brayden' last='Carroll'] (31st ranked overall) that has the athletic size and traits that translate well to the next level. He should gain tremendous experience this year as a starter inside a pass heavy Cleveland offense.    McMinn Co. sophomore O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402530' first='Camden' last='Goforth'] checks in next, ranked 15th as the top prospect to come out of the Cherokees program in some time. A two-way lineman with natural power, Goforth looks like a future college O-lineman but could develop on the defensive side of the line as well. Baylor sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='854380' first='Judah' last='Smith'] (29th ranked prospect) will be making his debut with the Red Raiders this Fall and should blossom into a star over time as he gains experience and develops at a nice rate.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/cgoforth.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-925068" /></figure>   McCallie continues to put out top tier talent year in and year out and for their sophomore class, the Blue Tornado have two future studs in safety [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'] (Ranked 37th) and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='212419' first='Cooper' last='Gentle'] (Ranked 38th overall). Both these rising sophomores should step into starting roles this Fall and build their stock as two top defenders in the #TN2026 from the greater Chattanooga area.    - The Knoxville area isn't lacking for talent either and their sophomore class looks as strong as ever. Bearden landed three prospects inside our new #TN2026 rankings with Smith leading the way, followed by running back [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] (21st ranked prospect) and two-way athlete [player_tooltip player_id='816053' first='Keshawn' last='Mills'] (Ranked 35th overall). Those three Bulldog prospects are legit and future D1, Power Five offered guys.    Knox. Central stud defender [player_tooltip player_id='480743' first='Torin' last='McAfee'] checks in ranked 17th overall and with his continuing progression at cornerback, the Bobcats sophomore could watch stock soar and his ranking go higher.    Two-way Alcoa athlete [player_tooltip player_id='328897' first='Kolby' last='Barrett'] is a big dude who shows all sorts of potential for a variety of positions but for now, PRZTN has him ranked 31st overall at safety. I could see Barrett develop further at either receiver or even linebacker as he matures.    It looks like [player_tooltip player_id='402537' first='Elias' last='Childers'] is having to bide his time before he takes over the lead quarterback role at Knox. Webb but he cracked our #TN2026 rankings at 45th overall based on his size and pure passing abilities.    Two trench monsters from the Knoxville area cracked our Top 50 as well with Knox. Catholic D-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='624847' first='Jacob' last='Rice'] coming in ranked at 45th and Oak Ridge sophomore O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='866783' first='Jared' last='Bafford'] finishing out the rankings at 50th overall. RIce is an interesting talent who could develop on either side of the line and Bafford is a mauler that shows excellent mobility along with natural, brute power.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/tyking.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-914525" style="width:416px;height:438px" width="416" height="438" /></figure>   Middle Tennessee    - While the East Tennessee region sits strong with talent and will compete in the #TN2026 class for the best region, the Middle Tennessee area will have something to say about that. The top overall prospect from our sophomore class comes out of this region in Nashville Christian quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis']. The 6 '3 gunslinger is already a national recruit and fighting for the honor as “the” best QB prospect in the country for the 2026 class.    Joining Curtis inside the Top 10 from the Mid-Tennessee region are three players with great physicality and tremendous upside for the Power Five level. Those three are [player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] (8th ranked) from East Robertson, DCA tight end [player_tooltip player_id='284144' first='Carson' last='Sneed'] (ranked 9th) and a future star at quarterback in MBA sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='688833' first='Hugh' last='Price'] (10th ranked overall).    Groves is an athletic guy with great size and the ability to develop on either side of the ball. Sneed is a massive presence at tight end that could end up growing into an offensive lineman over time while Price is a big dude behind center that shows excellent arm power and talents along with developing mobility.    - The private schools ranks is well represented within our new #TN2026 rankings with Ensworth having the most at three prospects. The Tigers top ranked player at 23rd overall is sophomore D-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='854301' first='Andrew' last='Hogan']. Behind him sits two young defensive prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='492562' first='Justin' last='Hopkins'] (Ranked 28th overall) and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='854393' first='Jayden' last='Pyant'] (Ranked 49th), who has yet to take on a bigger role but shows excellent potential and physical size.    Private school powers CPA and Lipscomb Academy landed one player a piece inside our rankings with Mustangs defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='824735' first='Danny' last='Brown'] placing at 11th overall and right behind him ranked twelve is Lions big and athletic wideout [player_tooltip player_id='824736' first='Owen' last='Cabell']. Brown already holds a couple of offers and has the look of the next defensive recruit to come out of the Mustangs program. Cabell sports all sorts of upside as a college pass catcher and that's a big reason why Vanderbilt has offered and others are interested.    Two Nashville area defensive backs come in at 39th and 48th overall within our sophomore rankings and both guys have tremendous upside as ball hawking safeties with athleticism and size. Nash. Christian defender [player_tooltip player_id='284142' first='Bryson' last='Holt'] (39th) is a stocky, athletic guy who shows good range along with instincts for tracking the ball.    BGA safety [player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] jumped on my radar very recently but is someone that excites me due to his natural athletic abilities along with size and speed towards the ball. He must mature further both on and off the field but Marable has all the upside needed to reach the D1 level.    - Sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='611995' first='Jayden' last='McClure'] (16th overall) is the highest ranked prospect to possibly ever come out of Mt. Pleasant but he must continue working to maintain this status. Green Hill tight end [player_tooltip player_id='856164' first='Ayden' last='Sadler'] (18th overall) is a dude everybody must get to know now because he will be heavily recruited in due time. Much of the same can be said for Ravenwood quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola']. The 6 '2 passer (22nd overall) has yet to take a significant snap for the Raptors (That may change this year) but I've seen enough of Babalola in the off-season that tells me he has the tools to reach the collegiate game.    Cookeville (TN) O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='866469' first='Austin' last='Hoane'] and Page interior mauler [player_tooltip player_id='853121' first='Jacob' last='Rathbone'] are two Mid-Tennessee area line protectors that have the physical look and mobile abilities that translate to the college level. Both have more filling out to do with their bodies but both Hoane and Rathbone, who started a full season as a freshman last year, have the look of future college guys.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/jrathbone.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-946681" style="width:316px;height:316px" width="316" height="316" /></figure>   West Tennessee    Looking into the west side of the state, the crop of sophomores that we have right now from the West Tennessee region isn't as deep as the East and Middle parts of the state but this area has some “dudes” and plenty of room to grow and develop more players over the next few years.    The current top ranked prospect hailing from the West Tennessee region is Haywood sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris']. Checking in at 7th overall, Harris is an outstanding prospect that has potential and tools to develop nicely in the secondary at either cornerback or safety. Another small town West TN talent to rank high is Crockett Co. (TN) linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='813499' first='Dre' last='Walker']. College coaches are already aware of Walker (16th ranked prospect) as he has landed an offer from TCU while sporting tons of interest from other Power Five schools.    One position that looks to be strong coming out of the West Tennessee region for the sophomore class are the linebackers. Walker is the top guy at that position but several others have talent as well and sit within our new #TN2026 Top 50.    Ranked 26th overall, TCA (TN) two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='471474' first='LeKhy' last='Thompkins'] is the top ranked prospect to come out of the Lions program in some time and is a prospect that could develop at both running back or linebacker with me thinking his upside sits best on defense. First Assembly defender [player_tooltip player_id='941118' first='Vidale' last='Cothran'] (Ranked 40th overall) is a name to know as on film, this Memphis area linebacker shows athleticism, burst and speed around the edge as well as the ability to drop into space. An unknown right now but someone who has been on radar is Jackson Central Merry (TN) linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='284148' first='Simeon' last='Graham']. Ranked 42nd overall, Graham is a big boy who moves well, sporting the physical traits and upside to reach the collegiate game.    - The line of scrimmage isn't well represented throughout our 1st sophomore rankings (That will change in time) but the West Tennessee area does have two guys worth mentioning. Ranked 20th overall, Briarcrest Chrst.(TN) O-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='425182' first='Andre' last='Amos, Jr'] is a wide bodied young man who moves well. The Saints sophomore sports heavy hands and the lower base mobility to slide inside or play tackle moving forward.    <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" style="width:412px;height:412px" width="412" height="412" /></figure>   Southwind sophomore D-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='854363' first='Charles' last='Sullins'] gained tremendous experience last year as a freshman, playing alongside future college guys on the Jaguars D-line and beginning to establish himself as a force to watch over the coming years.    - The skill positions are where this area of the state stands strong at the moment. Several prospects from the West Tennessee region that cracked our #TN2026 Top 50 are multi talented guys that could develop at different positions. One guy who is established for the running back position is Houston ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcellus' last='Davis']. This big man can run the ball and run it with authority. Davis (25th overall) will be a strong complement to senior back [player_tooltip player_id='277794' first='Damon' last='Sisa'] with the Mustangs this Fall but then should take over the lead role next season as a junior.    A speedster to get to know is Southwind sophomore receiver [player_tooltip player_id='851932' first='Willie' last='Wilkins'] (31st ranked prospect). This 5 '10 pass catcher is dynamic with the ball in his hands and once he hits the open field, Wilkins uses his speed to blaze past defenders.    Lausanne (TN) two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='853122' first='Colton' last='Nabors'] (Ranked 36th overall) should be stepping into a bigger role this Fall with the Lynx and begin establishing himself as one of the best overall “athletes” not just from the greater Memphis area but possibly the entire state as well.    - Our sophomore rankings will expand after the coming Fall football season and new prospects will jump on the scene, adding depth to the #TN2026 class. Stay tuned to PRZTN and CSS for continued updates on the sophomore class moving forward as the great state of Tennessee continues to grow and gain more talent each and every week!   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/">Tennessee Top 50 - Sophomore Rankings</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/lthompkins-crop-663x435-1691770917.jpeg?w=662" alt="" class="wp-image-946685" /></figure>