Class 3A Players of the Year (Positional MVP’s)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we continue to wrap up the 2023 season, here we provide you our PRZTN POTY as well as positional MVP's for the 3A ranks. You got some strong names listed below as each of these guys had banner years that definitely earned these top honors. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["466266"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe 2023 Class 3A Mr. Football winner also earns the PRZTN POTY honors after a stellar junior year that saw Jackson produce some massive numbers on both sides of the ball while also boosting his recruiting stock, turning himself into a legit Power Five prospect. He produced 29 offensive touchdowns on the season as well as eight interceptions on defense with two of them returned for touchdowns. Jackson took his game to another level this year as he was the best player on the field in just about every game the Knights competed in as well as “the guy” you could go to when you needed a big play. We get this guy for another season here in Tennessee, so expect to continue hearing about Jackson moving forward.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658c3d76e4d59"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["239447"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eA one man wrecking crew on his Bobcats offense, Turner did just about everything on the field this season as he produced almost 2,000 yards of total offense himself as well as 29 offensive touchdowns on the year. His play this year was extremely important for the Bobcats as they won their region then went on a deep run through the playoffs. Turner is a versatile athlete that could develop at running back or receiver in college or even move over to defense and excel on that side of the ball as well. This is a “ball player” that simply knows how to play the game and produce at a high level. Turner has yet to commit, so his abilities are still out there for the taking. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658c3d76e4dc3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["834597"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIt was a tough call here for DPOTY with several strong options for this honor but Houston ended out on top as his senior performance was just too good. The Eagles senior linebacker was a major force in the front seven this year as a tough edge defender to run against but also a prospect that could drop in space versus the pass where he ended up producing five interceptions with four of them resulting in touchdowns. Besides the INT's, the Eagles senior defender also produced 103 tackles and two sacks on the year as well. Houston was a man in the right spot for most of the season for East as one of their most consistent performers and a key leader that helped push the Eagles to the 3A state title game.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658c3d76e4e1d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Desmond Harris - East Nashville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A first year head coach for the Eagles, Harris led East Nashville back to the 3A title game and while his squad fell short to Alcoa, it was a great season for this Nashville area school that continued to build consistency behind their brand. Coach Harris not only kept the train rolling but he helped grow the 2023 team into state title runners up after a tough start to the season that saw the Eagles take a few losses. He was able to rally the team, help them gel and make a deep run into the 3A playoffs. It was a great debut season for Coach Harris and a strong standard to build upon moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - - - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positional MVP's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='207312' first='Brady' last='Hammonds'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Highlanders had one of the more potent offenses not just in the 3A ranks this year but in the state too with this 6'2 gunslinger at the helm. Hammonds had a breakout year where he led 3A in passing yards while also helping push his Highlanders team to the quarterfinals of the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1110699' first='Skylan' last='Smith']- Covington ‘25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Smith burst onto the scene this year with a breakout season where he ran for over 2,000 yards while also placing himself among the finalists for 3A Mr. Football. A tad undersized, Smith makes up for it with speed, quick feet and the ability to make defenders miss on a consistent basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1127454,"width":"304px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/skysmith.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1127454" style="width:304px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='149400' first='Whittman' last='Whaley'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Headed to Wake Forest as a linebacker, Whaley showed off his natural athletic abilities at receiver in a major way this year where he led the 3A ranks in receiving yards. Whaley is a multi year starter that has consistently produced at a high level and he will be looking to continue that play during his time with the Demon Deacons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='390594' first='Amare' last='Smith'] - Giles Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Smith went both ways this year on the line of scrimmage but his work on the O-line was outstanding where he was the linchpin up front that helped his Bobcats offense become one of the best on the 3A level. This is a raw but athletic blocker that can develop into a multi year starter during his college career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='287426' first='Malik' last='Bolling'] - East Nashville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- It was a monster year from this Mid-Tennessee talent where he produced 14 sacks on the season while also being one of the Eagles top blockers on their offensive line. Bolling provided a consistent pass rush for the East defense this season and helped lead his Eagles team to the Class 3A state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":459450,"width":"252px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/mboling3-e1664302857239.jpeg?w=612" alt="" class="wp-image-459450" style="width:252px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='995194' first='Jaylon' last='Smith'] - Sheffield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Athletic, fast &amp; violent, Smith displayed all those talents and then some this year where he produced over 120 tackles on the season as well as 12 sacks. The Knights senior linebacker was near unblockable this year and a major force on a Sheffield defense that proved to be one of the best in the state for the 2023 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Carter Rhudy - Johnson Co. ‘25&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The top producer of interceptions for the 3A ranks, Rhudy had a breakout year for his Longhorns squad where he was a consistent performer week in and week out. This junior East TN talent produced “9” interceptions on the season as a lockdown defensive back that also had 38 tackles and 2 receiving touchdowns on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->