25 Class of 2028 Tennessee QB’s Poised To Light Up Friday Night’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this final article ahead of Thanksgiving, here's a look at 25 QB's from the Volunteer State that will be <strong><em>stuffing</em></strong> the stat sheet over the next four years. From bonafide future D1 prospects, to kids with a mountain of potential, to some young men that are just flat out winners--and everything in between. These 25 have caught my attention ahead of the camp and 7-on-7 phase of the cycle. Dig in, enjoy it, and pass the turkey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, and for dessert, if you want to compete against some of these guys--or think you have a quarterback on their level--click <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/950/register/southeast-middle-school-camp-tn">HERE</a> to sign up for the <strong>Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp in Tennessee.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091453"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"While older brother [player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day'] has Houston High School in the TSSAA D1 6A State Semi's, littler brother [player_tooltip player_id='1091453' first='Canon' last='Day'] led the eighth-grade Mustangs to a conference championship this season. Day had a phenomenal season as a dual-threat quarterback and scorched teams with both his legs and his strong right arm. Ran the RPO to near perfection out of the shotgun formation. Right now, has D1 projections from me in both football and baseball. I don't claim to know baseball nearly as well as I do football, but all signs point to him having options as he progresses into high school and the recruiting process inevitably begins.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1028173"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An All-County selection as both a seventh-and-eighth-grader, Dye was the heartbeat for Station Camp Middle School this year. Paced by Dye's legs and left arm, the Bison won the Eastern Division before falling to the West Division-champion T.W. Hunter in the Sumner County championship game. The 5-foot-9, 160-pounder was named Station Camp's Overall Team MVP, which is saying something, considering they had eight eighth-graders earn All-County recognition in 2023.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1090837"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"In one of the best middle school football games I've ever watched, Oakland Middle School defeated Blackman Middle School in the Rutherford County championship in late October. At the helm for Oakland was 6-foot-3, 155-pound quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1090837' first='Dustin' last='Harden']. There's no denying Harden's size and potential as an overall athlete/football player. Despite a long, unorthodox throwing motion and a bit of a side-armed release point, he got the ball where it needed to be all year long for the Chargers. In addition to playing quarterback, Harden also handled punting responsibilities this year. I wouldn't rule out a move to wide receiver (at least for the next year or so), considering both varsity quarterback's return for next season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1027608"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Meisner was QB1 of a good Bearden team that went to the MAC playoffs and won their opening round game. While I don't have specifics on Meisner, on film he looks to be around the same size as [player_tooltip player_id='1028173' first='Nate' last='Dye'] (listed above), in my opinion. Also like Dye, he is a muscular kid with dual-threat ability that could hurt the opposing defense in many ways. In the short/intermediate passing game, Meisner puts it right on his receivers, but there's room for improvement on arm strength, specifically on the deep ball.  Got banged up a bit towards the end of the season but toughed it out and played hard. Bearden won the Varsity (8th grade) MAC title in 2022 and was close again 2023u002du002dspeaking volumes about the talented group of 2027 (freshmen) and 2028 (eighth-graders) in the pipeline for a varsity team that reached the TSSAA D1 6A State Quarterfinals.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1032000"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Sticking with the MAC conference, for the second consecutive year in this age group, Farragut came home with the hardware at the end of the season. The high-powered offense was operated by talented quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1032000' first='Kyle' last='Clark'], who is starting to really turn the corner as a prospect. Clark has tremendous command of his arm and throws one of the prettiest balls with touch, that I've seen in this crop of 2028 Tennessee signal callers. Loaded with difference-making receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='835474' first='Anderson' last='Glover'], [player_tooltip player_id='1031890' first='Braylen' last='Gibbs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'], Clark and the Admirals went 20-0 over the past two years.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1035996"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Knoxville Catholic, a traditional powerhouse program in Tennessee, hasn't finished more than one game above .500 since going 7-4 in 2019, despite making a run and reaching the TSSAA D2 3A semi's this year. The lack of recent domination is something that quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1035996' first='Connor' last='Mohr'] will hopefully change when he gets there next year. As an admitted bit of an old-school guy, I love the toughness Mohr plays with. He's only in the 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9 range (depending on where you look) but he brings a lot of Tim Tebow toughness to the field. The son of a former Navy Rescue Swimmer, Mohr is a multi-sport athlete that plays baseball, basketball, wrestling and rugby. I don't think they'll be another Tennessee 2028 quarterback that plays rugby, on this list.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1037670"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"There seems to be a trend of super-athletic, multi-sport kids in this 2028 crop of Volunteer State quarterback'su002du002dand Nimitz fits that mold. He's one of the smaller quarterbacks in this write-up at just 5-foot-6 and 145 pounds right now, but throw on some of his film and you'll see that his size (or lack there of) hasn't stopped him from shredding the pre-high school level. Nimitz's film from Brentwood Middle School this year,  gives me Texas Au0026amp;M Johnny Manziel vibes with the way he zips around the field and keeps the threat of run or pass alive until the absolute last second. Honestly, his style of play is very reminiscent of 2027 Georgia quarterback prospect, JR Harrisu002du002dthe freshman has amassed over 2,000 yards of total offense for Central High School thus far this year.  While Nimitz isn't quite on that level of elite u003cemu003eyetu003c/emu003e, keep an eye on this kid.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1069163"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"We actually wrote about Phelon late in October, but the ability the western TN native has, can't be understated. Phelon led the Hillcrest Cougars to the Reelfoot Conference title game this past season. Despite taking it on the chin in the title game, Phelon was named Hillcrest's Offensive MVP on the year. He followed his memorable regular/post-season by earning a selection to the West TN All-Star Game in early November. He was the only Cougar to actually participate in the game, taking snaps at quarterback and wide receiveru002du002dwhich showed off his athletic ability.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1036255"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"It seems like every time I check back in with [player_tooltip player_id='1036255' first='Price' last='Renovich'], the Memphis University School (MUS) quarterback is doing something to get better. There's a ton to like about what Renovich brings to the field, from leadership to arm strength and everything in between, he checks a lot of boxes. Alongside his partner in crime, running back [player_tooltip player_id='424657' first='Tommie' last='Reed'], MUS went 7-1 this seasonu002du002dwith their lone loss coming at the hands of [player_tooltip player_id='1091453' first='Canon' last='Day'] (listed above) and Houston Middle School. Renovich is on the path to becoming one of west Tennessee's top quarterback's over the next four years, and will be joining a MUS varsity program that hasn't had a losing season since 2006.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1037760"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Havenview Middle School is always one of the most athletic pre-high school programs in the state with speed and skill at nearly every position. This year's team was no different with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1037760' first='Curtis' last='Shields III'] having the keys to the Ferrari. Shields III was the BMOC (Big Man On Campus) this season, as the 6-foot, 150-pound quarterback put up big numbers and was named Homecoming King in the process. The dual-threat righty will need to spend significant time in the weight room to add some bulk to his slender build, but he has all the physical tools to become a recruitable football player as he transitions into high school. Look for him as part of the CheetahU 7v7 team this spring.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["424594"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Martin Middle School quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] is no stranger to the headlines of Prep Redzone Next, having been highlighted multiple times during his pre-high school career. He recently finished his eighth-grade season by leading the Chargers to their second consecutive TMSAA championship game appearance. After basketball and baseball season, Simpson should have a shot at making history by becoming the first prospect to u003cstrongu003eeveru003c/strongu003e be named Tennessee Future Stars Game MVP for three consecutive years, after earning the honor as both a sixth and a seventh-grader. Simpson's ascension to the top tier of 2028 quarterbacks in the country should come as no surprise if you look at the pedigree. I mention it every time I talk about him, he is the son of UT-Martin Head Coach, Jason Simpson and younger brother of Alabama quarterback, Ty Simpson.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["904978"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Speaking of the Tennessee Future Stars team, [player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'] is another prospect who has dawned the White and Tennessee Orange for multiple years. Strang, like Simpson, was also selected to the team as a sixth and seventh-grader, and he could make it a perfect three-for-three this summer. While the Future Stars is a familiar team for him, Strang transferred from Briarcrest Christian to Lausanne Collegiate ahead of his eighth-grade season. Now up to 6-foot-3 and 155-pounds, he's got the height and frame to become something specialu002du002dbut he's gotta pack on good weight. Between Strang and fellow eighth-grade quarterback/athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'], the Lynx already have a pair of studs in the 2028 class.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["1090807"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Where do I even start with Blackman Middle School standout, [player_tooltip player_id='1090807' first='Myles' last='Teague']? The kid has the u0022ITu0022 factor that football talking heads always bring up, when discussing quarterbacks. In 2023, Blackman Middle School had a collection of one of the most elite group's of skill position player's,  that I have ever seen while covering middle school footballu002du002dand Teague was the straw that stirred the drink. The younger brother of former Ohio State running back Master Teague, Myles has a chance to reach that same premier level of football with his elite talent. An All-Conference selection this year, Teague now holds the record for touchdown passes in a single season at Blackman Middle. More details on his season and career to come in additional write-up's.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["1086454"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Lexington High School has been searching for consistency over the last decade, yo-yo'ing from winning season's to sub .500 finishes. However, after quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1086454' first='Ross' last='Wilson'] did his thing in the West TN Middle School All-Star Game earlier in November, perhaps the nose will pick up. Wilson was named Lexington's Overall Team MVP this season and plays with all the moxy you want to see in a quarterback. In addition to his play at QB, he also plays linebacker and contributes on special teams. Bottom line, the kid is a football player. I'm not sure what his ceiling is at this point, but he should deliver a punch attitude for the Tigers next season.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["1094224"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"When I first started evaluating middle school talent, one of the first middle school programs I was told to know about in Tennessee was Bellevue Middle School of the Memphis-Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association. That has rang true and the Bobcats have produced players that appear to recruitable every year. This year is no different, with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] being one of the standouts. He was surrounded with weapons and was blessed with strong, aggressive offensive line that gave him time, but make no bones about itu002du002dWright is crazy-accurate, calm and appeared to be an extension of the coaching staff on the field. He added an exclamation point to his season with an MVP performance in the County Championship Game, leading Bellevue to a 26-0 victory.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_15_player":["1038808"],"_player_evaluations_15_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"Reynolds is another quarterback prospect that I recently covered in October, but when talking about top 2028 Tennessee quarterback's, there's no legitimate list someone can throw together u003cstrongu003ewithoutu003c/strongu003e including him. There's not much football-related to update on, but the talented athlete is now into basketball season at Knox Doss Middle School. As I said in my previous write up, Reynolds is one of the most exciting players in the state at this point. If you took Trevor Lawrence, u0022Sunshineu0022 Ronnie Bass from u003ciu003eRemember The Titans u003c/iu003eand then sprinkled in some Justin Herbert, you would get [player_tooltip player_id='1038808' first='Reece' last='Reynolds']. He was the Shelby County Player of the Year for a reason, folks.","_player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_16_player":["1094289"],"_player_evaluations_16_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"Like the previous two quarterback's in this write-up ([player_tooltip player_id='1038808' first='Reece' last='Reynolds'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright']), quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1094289' first='Aiden' last='Amonett'] helped lead his team to the the County Championship in 2023. Despite Amonett and Rockwood Middle School coming up short in the Roane County Championship game, there's no short-changing his productivity this season. Amonett, who may be an even basketball player, used his 6-foot-2 length and surprising speed to tally 15 touchdowns in the regular season. Amonett was the key to the Rockwood machine which featured a defense that surrendered only 26 points during the regular season, 1,000-yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1094310' first='Justus' last='Nelson'] and tight end Michael Gibsonu002du002dwho I think has D1 potential written all over him.","_player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_17_player":["1092711"],"_player_evaluations_17_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"The University School of Jackson (USJ) had an up and down football season on the middle school level, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1092711' first='Jake' last='Payne'] is one of the budding prospects in the 2028 class for the Cubs. At 6-foot-2, he's a tall/slender athlete with a wiry build and a ton of potential. It'll take some weight room dedication and some extra work on foot speed and coordination, but he's got a lot of the raw physical tools necessary to be recruitable. Payne also plays basketball, which should come as little surprise. He was one of four USJ athletes selected for the West Tennessee Middle School All-Star Game in early November, with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1092710' first='Ben' last='Spencer'] coming home with the offensive MVP award in the showcase game.","_player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_18_player":["1092653"],"_player_evaluations_18_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"Selmer Middle School had a season to remember in 2023, winning the McNairy County Middle School Football championship. The Lions had a number considerable contributions from the likes of athlete (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1094375' first='Jedarin' last='Campbell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1094376' first='Jayden' last='Wilson'] and Kayden Forsythu002du002dall of which were selected to the West Tennessee Middle School All-Star Game. However, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1092653' first='Jackson' last='King'] was clearly the heartbeat of this team. King brings a ton of toughness and leadership to the position, going as far as lead-blocking downfield on run plays. He also appears to have pretty good size (don't have exacts on him but maybe around 5-foot-9) and can really spin it, if given enough time.","_player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_19_player":["1094363"],"_player_evaluations_19_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"Disney couldn't write the script better, with a quarterback named u003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eCannonu003c/emu003e u003c/strongu003eplaying quarterback for a u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eBattle Groundu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003eAcademyu003c/strongu003e who can throw u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ebulletsu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e. Cheap attempt a humor aside, Fragale is one of the more athletic-looking quarterback's I've seen in this 2028 group. On top of his dual-threat ability, which seemingly gets forgotten because of his strong arm, he makes throws on the run and off-platform look easy. On film he looked to have complete control of the offense this past season at BGA, often seeing things and physically pointing them out to his teammates, before they happen. In my opinion, he's most dangerous in the redzone because of the level of unpredictability of what he's going to do on the snap. It took until this last sentence for it to click for me, but I really get Baker Mayfield vibes from watching him play.","_player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":20,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6558fdee40e18"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional 2028 Tennessee Quarterback's I Like At This Point</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] | Briarcrest Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1029839' first='Kaii' last='Bradley'] | Germantown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1066058' first='Elijah' last='Chestnutt'] | LaVergne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1086153' first='Webb' last='White'] | Henderson County North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1094374' first='Kelby' last='Barnett'] | The Baylor School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->