#PRZTN Pre-season Team MVP’s: D2-Class A

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cranking up our season preview content, here we look at who will be the most valuable player for each team in the D2-Class A ranks for the upcoming 2024 season. Each team & region is accounted for below! </h2>     East Region   Ezell Harding Eagles: (OL/DT) Alijah Walker   - The Eagles are still building back their program and Walker is a guy that has taken upon himself to be a leader and high level performer with possibly his best season yet coming this Fall. His importance to the team is huge as he should handle starting spots on both sides of the ball. The production on defense is where I think Walker will earn team MVP due to his ability to handle blocks and rush up field.    - - - - -    Friendship Christian Commanders: (DL) Car'lando Barton   - It will be a transition this Fall for the Commanders but one cornerstone to lean upon will be Barton. A multi year starter on the Commanders defensive line, Barton is a disruptor that knows how to get into the backfield. His play this season will be critical towards FCS winning ball games and potentially performing well in the playoffs. Look for Barton to achieve double digit sacks this year with the chance to boost his recruiting stock.    - - - - -    MTCS Cougars: (LB) Owen White    - White returns for his senior season as the team's leading tackler and he will be expected to almost double those numbers as the Cougars will be young and inexperienced in a lot of areas this Fall. His presence on defense and leadership overall will be needed game in and game out as well as his ability to produce at a high level. I believe he will do so, which makes him a strong candidate for Team MVP.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/owwhite.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1317889" style="width:340px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Providence Academy Lions: (WR/LB) Braxton Lillis  #TN2026    - This was a tough call to make as the Lions are still building their program and establishing their players but Lillis is one guy that I can see stepping into the spotlight and contributing in a major way this season. The Lions two-way talent has the size and athletic skill set to become the team's go-to target on offense as well as become the possible leading tackler on defense.    - - - - -    King's Academy Lions: (RB/LB) Alijah Davidson   - The Lions have been non-existent on the football field over the past few years but maybe Davidson can help push this program forward with a breakout senior year as the team's lead back. Standing about 5'9 190 pounds, Davidson is a physical runner that shows the potential to run for over a 1,000 yards this season along with being the bell cow offensive prospect the team depends on to help push them into the playoffs.    - - - - -    Middle Region   Clarksville Academy Cougars: (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1310946' first='Chris' last='Ragans Jr']   - Keep an eye out for this Mid-Tennessee product this season as Ragans, Jr looks to be the “guy” for the Cougars and someone that could play his way into multiple college offers. A natural athlete with the ability to run past and slip by his opponents, doing so at receiver and on special teams. He may even play some defensive back as well, so Ragans, Jr not only has a chance to be the team MVP but contend for Mr. Football as well.    - - - - -    Columbia Academy Bulldogs: (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='839988' first='Harrison' last='Brownlee']   - Tough call to make here as the Bulldogs have several options for this honor but I had to go with Brownlee and his playmaking abilities for both sides of the ball. The Mid-Tennessee senior has been producing for multiple years now with his breakout season coming last year and he will be expected to play the exact same role this Fall. Look for Brownlee to possibly double his numbers with a talented quarterback throwing him the ball and teams keying on [player_tooltip player_id='1002753' first='Montae' last='Baldwin'].    - - - - -    DCA Wildcats: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='445181' first='Mitchell' last='Carey']    - Carey is the most important player for the Wildcats team and a guy that can single handedly push DCA towards a possible region title and take them on a deep playoff run. Coming off a breakthrough junior season, Carey passed for 2,826 yards and 37 touchdowns but can he replicate those numbers as he works with some new teammates? I think he can due to having an All-American tight end in [player_tooltip player_id='284144' first='Carson' last='Sneed'] and his makeup as a quarterback and person. This is one of the more under the radar talents we have at for QB for the #TN2025 class.    - - - - -    Franklin-Grace Lions: (WR/K) Tucker Wolf   - Last year as a junior, Wolf had his coming out party as the team's top receiving target and he returns this Fall to be that exact same guy with the idea of pushing his game forward. Putting up over 800 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns last year, Wolff brings good size and ball skills to the playing field that might give him a shot at playing on the college stage. His play will be key this year as the Lions look to improve upon a down 2023 season and push themselves further down the playoff road.    - - - - -    Mt. Juliet Chrst. Academy Saints: (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='962460' first='Andy' last='Griffith']    - Griffith stepped on the scene in a big way last as he led the D2-Class A ranks in sacks at 13 and I think he can produce even more this year as the team's unquestioned MVP. The Saints senior pass rusher presents a challenge for D2-Class A O-linemen due to his quick get-off, hand work and motor. The opposition will certainly know about Griffith this year, so it could be a tough path but I expect this D-lineman to produce another monster year.    - - - - -    Nashville Christian Eagles: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis']  #TN2026    - The top quarterback prospect from our #TN2026 class, Curtis will have every eye in the state on him this year to watch him play and see how much he has developed over the past 8 months. A big armed passer with a great physique, Curtis has every tool in the bag that you want in a college signal caller and this season he should have more weapons around to earn team MVP honors as well as compete for Mr. Football.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/jcurtis.jpg?w=982" alt="" class="wp-image-941718" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    West Region   Fayette Academy Vikings: (QB) Corbin Bowling    - The Vikings senior dual threat quarterback is a Mr. Football sleeper to keep an eye on this Fall, especially if he leads his team to the West Region title. It will be a tough road as competition will be tough but Bowling brings a dynamic skill set to the field that presents problems for the opposition. He produced over 2,000 total yards of offense last year and I expect him to put up bigger numbers as a senior.    - - - - -    First Assembly Crusaders: (RB) Briceton Miller  #TN2026   - Sitting behind a Mr. Football finalist, Miller learned and gained experience last year but now steps into the lead role with the expectations to help take his Crusaders team on a long playoff run. Standing about 5'9 190, Miller is a compact and strong young man that shows good burst and vision on film as well as the potential to run for 1,000 plus yards during the coming football season.    - - - - -    Harding Academy Lions: (TE/DL) Ezekiel Robertson  #TN2026   - The Lions haven't been too relevant over the past few years but a guy like Robertson is intriguing and someone that can come forward this year as the team's MVP and top college prospect. Standing about 6'4 235 pounds, Robertson is a well built young man with good athleticism that could be displayed at tight end this year. His two-way play should allow the Lions junior to be on the field consistently and be asked to produce week in and week out.    - - - - -    Jackson Christian Eagles: (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='219345' first='Jaylen' last='Mosley']   - Returning for his senior season as the reigning Mr. Football winner, it's hard not to choose Mosley as the 2024 pre-season Team MVP. His importance and presence on both sides of the ball for his Eagles team is tremendous and all signs point to another highly productive year for this future Power Four football player. I expect his receiving to expand as he has one of the better QB's from the West TN region throwing to him.    - - - - -    Tipton-Rosemark Rebels: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600227' first='Nix' last='Fullen']  #TN2026   - As a sophomore last season, Fullen earned All-Region honors as a part time back but now returns this Fall as the team's top offensive talent and someone that could sneak his way into Mr. Football contention. Fullen is your proto-typical high school running back that may not look the part but he gets the job done. A natural runner with good strength, Fullen should be in store for a breakout junior year and a run on being the team MVP.    - - - - -    Trinity Chrst. Academy Lions: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='471474' first='LeKhy' last='Thompkins']  #TN2026   - The Lions have a few options to consider for this honor but I foresee the TCA offense leaning heavily on their run game, which means Thompkins will have the ball in his hands a lot. Standing 6'2 and 200 pounds plus, the Lions junior back brings a unique combo of power, size and speed to the field along with the ability to catch out of the backfield. Thompkins is not only MVP material but a strong contender to win Mr. Football this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/lthompkins.jpeg?w=828" alt="" class="wp-image-946684" style="width:448px;height:auto" /></figure>