#PRZTN Pre-season Mr. Football Candidates: D2-Class A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2024 season is right around the corner, so it's time to start previewing everything and we start here with our prime contenders for Mr. Football this year inside the D2-Class A ranks. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='219345' first='Jaylen' last='Mosley'] - Jackson Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Mosley is your reigning D2-Class A Mr. Football winner and he has a great chance to repeat this coming Fall. The 6 '0 two-way athlete produced on a high level last season and he certainly earned top honors but can he repeat that action and place himself among the Top 3 in Nashville? He will have a shot to do so as his quarterback returns to throw him the ball and Mosley will be the “top guy” on defense again where his athleticism allows him to be a ball hawk. Mosley is the top athletic guy on the Eagles roster and not too many players match his game changing abilities inside the D2-Class A ranks, so this West TN product is a clear cut candidate to contend for Mr. Football honors yet again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1314714,"width":"305px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/jaymosley.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1314714" style="width:305px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. ‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] - Nash. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Seen as the top prospect from our #TN2026 class, Curtis is no question a candidate to contend for Mr. Football this year and I think he has a better chance at winning it compared to last season with the skill talent surrounding him. A big armed passer with all the physical tools, Curtis has the makeup and skill set to put up some big numbers this Fall and put his Eagles team back in contention for a region title and a deep playoff run. The crazy thing about Curtis is that he has yet to really have a breakout, monster year but maybe that changes this season. The help around him will be better and that alone I believe should help Curtis come into his own and not only improve his game but contend for top individual honors by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='445181' first='Mitchell' last='Carey'] - DCA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The leading returning passer from the D2-Class A ranks, Carey heads into the Fall season as a top candidate for team MVP honors and potentially Mr. Football while boosting his stock as this Nashville area quarterback is still looking for a home. What you get out of Carey is consistency, a player that stays poised while producing at a high level. His march towards earning Mr. Football this year will of course rely on his play but also the play of the guys around him and the overall team success. The Wildcats do have some pieces for Carey to throw to and work with but they are also adding in some new guys as well, so it will be interesting to see how the team comes together. If the Wildcats does good this Fall, Carey should definitely be in consideration for Mr. Football while seeing his stock rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1002753' first='Montae' last='Baldwin'] - Columbia Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a monster junior season where Baldwin almost ran for 2,000 yards, this Mid-TN product returns as the top rusher in the D2-Class A ranks and a clear cut candidate to contend for Mr. Football. Baldwin is as steady as they come on this level and someone you can depend on to get the job done game in and game out. He runs with a low center of gravity along with excellent balance and a burst that gives defenders a tough time. Baldwin is a sneaky good pass catcher as well and maybe that area can boost his Mr. Football stock. I think his Bulldogs team could be quite good this year and if Baldwin is running the ball like he did last year, Columbia Academy is not only competing for a region title but their ball carrier will be a top contender for top individual honors as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. ‘26 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='471474' first='LeKhy' last='Thompkins'] - Trinity Chrst. Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Thompkins has been a name on the TN high school football radar ever since he stepped onto the field as a freshman and he has done nothing but produce at a high level. Heading into his junior year, the Lions junior ball carrier could be in-store for his best season yet but it will be a tough path as the opposition his faces will be geared to slow him down. What can help Thompkins push for a big year will be the attention his fellow teammate in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466267' first='Brayden' last='Waller']</strong> receives out wide. Those two together are big time players that will be on the college gridiron, so they should play off one another well while having the space to shine on their own. Thompkins to me however is the top candidate for Mr. Football on this team as I think the ball will be in his hands a lot and teams will have a hard time stopping him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] - Jackson Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The guy who throws Mosley the ball should be in the talk for Mr. Football right? I think so as he was in the mix last year for this honor and may be an even better candidate this season as he could add more offensive yards with his legs as team's look to slow down Mosley. The one thing that may go against Kelley is that his game is tied to Mosley, meaning the Eagles quarterback will put up big numbers through the air due to his wideout's production. That's definitely not a bad thing as I'm sure the Eagles coaching staff wants that to happen but Kelley might have a tougher path to Mr. Football due to his teammate. That's why adding more rushing yards to his game this Fall could be the key factor towards fighting for top honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":978867,"width":"279px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/akelley.jpg?w=882" alt="" class="wp-image-978867" style="width:279px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='962460' first='Andy' last='Griffith'] - Mt. Juliet Chrst. Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is the top defensive prospect returning for the 2024 season to be considered for Mr. Football honors and if Griffith produces like he did last year, it's not a stretch to see him inside the Top 3 and standing on the podium in December. Last year as a junior, Griffith produced 13 sacks and 34 QB hurries, so he was near unblockable and I expect with another year of maturity under his belt, he could be even more dominant. What also helps his cause is the fact Griffith won't see too many O-line's that have the athleticism or size to slow him down. The Saints senior D-lineman should have another big year this Fall and if his numbers increase and his team shows success, Griffith might become a legitimate Mr. Football sleeper.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='839988' first='Harrison' last='Brownlee'] - Columbia Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the top two-way prospects from the D2-Class A ranks, Brownlee put forth a stellar junior season where he produced over 800 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns while adding 86 tackles, 1 sack and 2 interceptions on defense, so it's tough to keep this Mid-TN off the list for Mr. Football contenders. This guy is an important piece to the Bulldogs team as a whole as Brownlee not only brings production to the field but leadership and work ethic as well. The Bulldogs senior playmaker does just about anything asked of him and he always does it at a high level. His value to the team goes beyond the field and numbers he could put up but if Brownlee has an even bigger senior year, Mr. Football is not out of the realm of possibility.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='466267' first='Brayden' last='Waller'] - Trinity Chrst. Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Waller has done nothing but produce at a high level the moment he stepped onto the field as a starter several years ago and after putting together an outstanding junior year, the Lions wideout will certainly be on the radar to contend for Mr. Football this Fall. This is one of the more sure handed receivers we have from the #TN2025 class but also a sneaky good athlete too that can run. His ability to run past defenders and work deep gives him better opportunities to produce touchdowns. Waller is a worker with a great chance to push his stock into D1 status, so I'm expecting this Jackson area product to have another big year through the air and be on the cusp of making it into Mr. Football consideration. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1220627,"width":"277px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/20240323_165506-rotated.jpg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-1220627" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. (RB) Briceton Miller - First Assembly</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- My top sleeper pick for Mr. Football consideration is this Memphis area ball carrier that gained good experience last year as a backup but is now the featured guy within an offense centered around running the ball. Miller was a nice complement last year behind Brian Shields, who was a Mr. Football contender himself, where this rising junior produced 633 yards on the ground and 9 touchdowns. That's a solid debut but his film and talent shows the potential to produce even more over the next two years. He should be the focal point on the Crusaders offense and grow with others around him and if that offensive line develops, Miller should have a breakout year that definitely puts him in consideration for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Contenders to Follow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FCS: (DL) <strong>Car'lando Barton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarksville Acad.: (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310946' first='Chris' last='Ragans Jr'], </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043649' first='Ethan' last='Bones']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia Acad.: (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192882' first='Stephen' last='Nieves']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DCA: (TE/DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284144' first='Carson' last='Sneed']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NCS: (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328886' first='Michael' last='Hoskins']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fayette Acad.: (QB) <strong>Corbin Bowling&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Assembly: (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186125' first='Charlie' last='Goss']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Chrst.: (RB) <strong>Duece Lawrence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1031246,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/hbrownlee2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1031246" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->