#PRZTN Mr. Football Candidates: Class 5A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the prime contenders for Mr. Football this season within the 5A ranks? Find out below with our rundown who these guys are and what makes them strong candidates for the best individual honor in this state. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] - Southwind</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There is no question who is the leader for 5A Mr. Football this year as it has to be the reigning winner from last season. That's Perkins, the Jaguars junior quarterback, who put up record breaking numbers last year and by his off-season work, he's ready for another big campaign this Fall. It's hard to increase the production he had from the 2023 season but Perkins is a worker and someone that's always trying to improve. He has a talented squad around him this year where Perkins can not only compete for Mr. Football but also lead his team to a possible 5A title game berth. If anybody can repeat as Mr. Football within this state, it's this Memphis area signal caller.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KelvinPerkins67/status/1819599206195077291","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KelvinPerkins67/status/1819599206195077291 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Producing sacks since his freshman season, Hazzard heads into his final year of high school ball looking to put some hardware on the wall. His Page team over the past two years has fallen twice in the 5A title game and he was named runner-up for Mr. Football. He has got to be itching to get back on the field and earn both those achievements before his career with the Pats is over. Hazzard knows how to get into the backfield and he has gotten bigger this off-season, so offensive lineman could have a harder time dealing with him due to his combination of power and speed. If this Mid-TN product has another big year, Hazzard should be back on the stage as a finalist with a great shot at bringing home Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1198413,"width":"310px","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/ehazzard.webp?w=426" alt="" class="wp-image-1198413" style="width:310px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler'] - Powell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This 2024 season could be the breakout year for Wheeler that gets Powell back into title contention, who is also a multi-year starter that has done nothing but produce at a high level every time he is on the field. Ranked as a Top 15 running back by Prep Redzone Tennessee, Wheeler is a dynamic ball carrier that hits the hole hard then can quickly find the end zone with his straight line speed. He is an important piece within the Panthers roster that will be leaned upon heavily this year. If Wheeler is able to produce big yards, he will not only be in contention for Mr. Football but his Powell team should be fighting for a region title as well as a deep playoff run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell'] - Beech&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the state, Powell heads into his junior season with a year under his belt at Beech, so he should be more comfortable with his surroundings but also ready to put forth possibly his best football season yet. The Bucs junior signal caller is a big, physical presence at quarterback that presents problems for the opposition. Powell has the skill set to put up big numbers this year with his legs but if his passing can improve, his stock for Mr. Football will certainly grow. What will help the cause is a talented group of skill players around him that will certainly make him look good. It should be fun to watch how Powell progresses this season and turns himself into a Mr. Football contender while also putting his Bucs team in contention for a 5A title appearance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Before heading to Wisconsin to play his college ball, Anes would love to leave his mark on Page as a potential Mr. Football winner but also a key force behind a potential state title run for the Patriots. The state's top ranked linebacker for the #TN2025 class, Anes is a tackling machine that is a difference maker on defense. His speed and game changing abilities is something to watch and a certain skill set that can definitely put him in the mix for the class's top individual honor. Anes will have competition from his own teammate as well as others across the 5A ranks but this linebacker is something to watch for throughout the coming season as possibly the top player within this classification.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1263913,"width":"259px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/banes4.webp?w=427" alt="" class="wp-image-1263913" style="width:259px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219342' first='Tegan' last='Avera'] - Sevier Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Making&nbsp; the transfer up to 5A and to Sevier Co. for his senior season, Avera finally gets the chance to display his talents on a bigger stage and I think he is prepared and ready for it. This 5 '10 speedster has game changing abilities at running back that will present problems for opposing defenses while also providing balance to an offense that has potential to be high scoring. Avera is a fun player to watch as he is used to producing big gains or long touchdown runs but it will be interesting to see how he translates to the 5A playing stage. I think he will do just fine by having a big senior year that puts him in the mix to be considered for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'] - Knox. Halls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A two sport star for his Knox. Halls school, Lethgo is an all-around athlete that heads up the quarterback role and does so with efficiency. The Red Devils junior quarterback had a coming out party last year as a sophomore where he threw for over 2,000 yards and now he returns this Fall to push his game and stock to another level. He can do that due to his own football upside but also because of a talented crop of skill players around him. Lethgo has some weapons to lean on this year and if he does his job efficiently, not only will Knox. Halls be competing for a region title but Lethgo could be a guy competing for Mr. Football consideration.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1125380' first='Hudson' last='Makuch'] - Walker Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Mustangs woke the state up last year with their outstanding 2023 season and Makuch was a major piece in those efforts. He along with many others from last season return this Fall to put together another big year where Makuch could develop into a sleeper Mr. Football contender. An athletic pass catcher with deceptive speed, Makuch is a playmaker that tends to make big plays on both sides of the ball. He will for sure be the Mustangs go-to target on offense, where I think he will produce big numbers and touchdowns but it's his work at safety that I think might put him into consideration for the ranks top individual honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/valleyofresult/status/1799218193711395146","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/valleyofresult/status/1799218193711395146 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry'] - Oak Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Fully taking the reins at quarterback this season for Oak Ridge, Stansberry is a sleeper contender for Mr. Football to watch this season as this junior signal caller has shown strong off-season work that leads to making this statement. He also should have a solid corp of skill players around him and a strong offensive line to make him look good. Stansberry is a poised performer that shows nice presence in the pocket and the ability to push the ball down field. His play this Fall will certainly be critical towards his team success and if Stansberry does well while putting together big numbers and wins, Mr. Football is definitely not out of consideration.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='523936' first='Maddox' last='Franklin'] - Lincoln Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is my dark horse for the 2024 season when it comes to Mr. Football. Franklin is a precision passer that does just about everything right and if he can lead his Lincoln Co. team to a region title while putting up big numbers, placing as a Mr. Football semi-finalist is not out of the question. A big reason for being placed on this list is based on the outstanding off-season work Franklin has put in this year. He has worked his tail off to develop in every area possible and I think it will show on the field this Fall. It may be a long shot for Franklin to earn Mr. Football this year but to just be in consideration is a victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;<br><strong>Others to Watch: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500380' first='Rai'keyrean' last='Chandler'] </strong>- Shelbyville, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279842' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'] </strong>- McMinn Co., (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557059' first='Marcus' last='Moore'] </strong>- Knox. Halls, ‘26 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] </strong>- Beech, (RB) <strong>Keenan Chatman </strong>- Springfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1362523,"width":"326px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/jsharp.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1362523" style="width:326px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->