Mid-Year Mr. Football Contenders

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Half way through the 2024 season, we have a good idea on who could be the top candidates for this year's Mr. Football. We dive into each classification and provide you our top contenders and some guy's to watch down the stretch. </h2>     D2-Class AAA   Projected Top Five Candidates (No order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Briggs' last='Cherry'] - Baylor, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1467540' first='Elliott' last='Drapeau'] - McCallie, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1058887' first='Shekai' last='Mills-Knight'] - Baylor, (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='284149' first='Tyreek' last='King'] - Knox. Catholic, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley'] - Ensworth   Contenders: (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='986024' first='Keeyshawn' last='Tabuteau'] - McCallie, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1150055' first='Joseph' last='Derrick'] - Father Ryan, (RB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='858846' first='Mason' last='Bryant'] - Father Ryan, (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='353446' first='Ethan' last='Johnson'] - CBHS   - You have to think the D2-Class AAA Mr. Football winner will come from either Baylor or McCallie. Those are your top two teams that have multiple options, especially Cherry, Mills-Knight, Drapeau and Tabuteau. They guys may sit at the top right now but keep an eye on King. The Fighting Irish junior is having a stellar junior year where he has produced 451 yards receiving and nine touchdowns thus far.    Father Ryan sits at 4-1 right now and that record is due to the play of seniors Derrick and Bryant. Those two have played at a high level this season with Derrick starting to catch fire. Our top defensive candidate from this level is Utley. His Tigers defense may be the best in the state with Utley being a key cog up front where he is doing a good job of playing in the backfield rushing the passer and stuffing the run.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/smknight.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1188787" style="width:344px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BaylorSchool.org</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    D2-Class AA   Projected Top Five Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='301391' first='Weston' last='Edmondson'] - GCA, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] - BGA, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1335216' first='Rawls' last='Patterson'] - CPA, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1080185' first='Noah' last='Spencer'] - USJ, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] - FRA   Contenders: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] - GCA, (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming'] - BGA, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='220692' first='Hutson' last='Chance'] - CPA, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='219427' first='Houston' last='Hicks'] - Boyd Buchanan, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'] - Boyd Buchanan, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='860627' first='Jawell' last='Rodgers'] - Lausanne, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1527109' first='William' last='Cheairs'] - ECS, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] - Knox. Webb, (S/RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff'] - Knox. Webb    - This classification will be battle the remainder of the year for Mr. Football because there are so many good options. CPA looks like the top team right now and if they remain in that spot at the end of the year, both Chance and Patterson will be in consideration. Edmondson and Spencer are having breakout seasons for their respective teams with both providing tons of production.. Both GCA and USJ sit at the top of their regions with Edmondson and Spencer being major reasons why.    BGA has been a big surprise this year with Marable at the head of their operation. The Wildcats junior has already thrown for over 1,500 yards thus far with 16 touchdowns while also providing the threat to run the ball as well. Hassell is sharing the load with a rising sophomore but he is the Panthers bell cow back that has helped FRA to a 6-0 start. A sleeper to watch out for is Thomas from GCA, who has broken out big time this year, putting up big numbers from his running back position.    - - - - -    D2-Class A   Projected Top Five Candidates (No Order): (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='219345' first='Jaylen' last='Mosley'] - Jackson Chrst., (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402548' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] - Nash. Christian, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='390711' first='Austin' last='Kelley'] - Jackson Chrst., (FB/DT) Car'lando Barton - FCS, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1002753' first='Montae' last='Baldwin'] - Columbia Acad.   Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='445181' first='Mitchell' last='Carey'] - DCA, (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='284144' first='Carson' last='Sneed'] - DCA, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1192882' first='Stephen' last='Nieves'] - Columbia Acad., (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1422960' first='Grayson' last='Scragg'] - DCA, (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='839988' first='Harrison' last='Brownlee'] - Columbia Acad., (Ath) Briggs Boyd - MTCS   - You may look at the projected five and think those guys are the clear cut favorites and that may be but I think time is left for others to jump forward and claim a finalist spot. Jackson Christian teammates Mosley and Kelley sit at the top as their team is in contention for a region title while both are producing big numbers. Mosley is a past winner that has a good shot at repeating. Curtis is having another solid year as the team leader at quarterback that has his Eagles team sitting at 3-1 on the season.    Columbia Academy senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1002753' first='Montae' last='Baldwin'] has been a semifinalist before but he's looking to bring home top honors this year and so far, his work will certainly have him in the mix. The sleeper among the top five is Barton. His Commanders team isn't as strong as the past couple of years but Barton does a lot for his team. He's the team's leading rusher as well as the best sack artist on defense. If DCA can step up over the last month, Carey, Scragg or Sneed could sneak up and join the mix.    - - - - -    Class 6A   Projected Top Five Candidates (No Order): (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='361227' first='Price' last='Davis'] - Maryville, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219449' first='Tamari' last='Hill'] - Oakland, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219362' first='Isaiah' last='Davis'] - Cleveland, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] - Whitehaven, (DE/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1423595' first='Samuel' last='Iroh'] - Collierville   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1177637' first='Grant' last='Troutman'] - Collierville, (QB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'] - Cookeville, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='816017' first='Chandler' last='Day'] - Houston, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='219402' first='Tyler' last='Travers'] - Mt. Juliet, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] - Green Hill, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1002741' first='Geron' last='Johnson'] - Bartlett, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcelles' last='Davis'] - Houston, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1240402' first='James' last='Dalrymple'] - Clarksville, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='814799' first='Gavyn' last='Nelson'] - Brentwood, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219413' first='Jeremy' last='Smith'] - Stewarts Creek, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219397' first='Dominic' last='Taylor'] - Riverdale, (LB) (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219347' first='Jonmikael' last='Crudup'] - Mt. Juliet, [player_tooltip player_id='842802' first='Baylor' last='Necessary'] - Science Hill   - Sifting through the candidates from this classification is tough as you have tons of options to choose from but we project Davis, Hill, Talley, Davis and Iroh as the guys at the front of the race. Just about every player listed above has an honest shot at landing on the semi-finalist list with continued strong play throughout the final month of the regular season. The Davis boys from Maryville and Cleveland are bell cow backs for their team's that are putting together strong senior campaigns. Coming back to Oakland for his Sr season, Hill has acclimated himself nicely into the Pats offense where he leads the team in rushing while producing two touchdowns off returns.    Talley was an unknown headed into the 2024 season but has established himself as a top back from the West TN area that is having a Mr. Football caliber year. The top defensive candidate at the moment looks to be Iroh and it's a worthy selection. The Dragons senior defensive end has produced 22 tackles for loss and 14 sacks so far on the season. If I had to pick three others to seriously keep your eyes on for the rest of the year, they would be Burroughs, Crudup and Johnson.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/pdavis.webp?w=773" alt="" class="wp-image-1361198" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Class 5A   Projected Top 5 Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] - Sevier Co., (QB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='219351' first='William' last='Wiebush'] - Page, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='467261' first='Brett' last='Dobbs'] - Lincoln Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='937072' first='Connor' last='Wheeler'] - Powell, (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard'] - Page   Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102989' first='Amari' last='Lethgo'] - Knox. Halls, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='834585' first='Hays' last='Wright'] - Memp. Central, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] - Southwind, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='866718' first='Kaden' last='Powell'] - Beech, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='834613' first='Robert' last='Bailey'] - Shelbyville, (RB) Kavieon Rucker - Memp. Central, (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='331829' first='Will' last='Pressley'] - Oak Ridge, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1657165' first='Dom' last='Culp'] - Knox. Halls   - It's a tough race when your reigning and defending Mr. Football winner isn't within our projected top five. Perkins from Southwind is that guy and he is a contender but we feel five others are having a bigger year up to this point. The possible leader in the clubhouse is Newman. The Smoky Bears sophomore quarterback has been near flawless this season as he leads the 5A ranks in passing. Lincoln Co. currently sits at 5-1 on the season with Dobbs being a major reason why. He leads the 5A ranks at the moment with 1,156 yards and 15 touchdowns.    Ever since his sophomore year, Wheeler has done nothing but produce at a high level and he's doing so yet again this Fall. The Panthers senior ball carrier is the team's top offensive weapon where he leads the team in rushing and touchdowns. Placing himself as a finalist last year, Hazzard is back with a vengeance this season where he has been a wrecking ball on possibly the state's top defense that has yet to give up a point. Joining him on that side of the ball, Wiebush has handled a lot of roles this Fall where he plays quarterback, receiver and stars on defense at safety.    - - - - -    Class 4A   Projected Top 5 Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1254853' first='Bronzden' last='Chaffin'] - Upperman, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] - Marshall Co., (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102967' first='Tripp' last='Pinion'] - White Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1276455' first='Waylon' last='LaRue'] - Anderson Co., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='811032' first='Javion' last='Kinnard'] - Pearl Cohn    Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1263171' first='Bronson' last='Scrivner'] - Loudon, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102345' first='Kemonte' last='Williams'] - Haywood, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='533747' first='Ethan' last='Palk'] - Upperman, (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris'] - Haywood, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='855556' first='Kyler' last='Garcia'] - Pearl Cohn, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='829084' first='Deuce' last='Greenhill'] - Crockett Co., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1310950' first='Gabe' last='Borders'] - Macon Co.   - This classification may be the most fun to watch as we head down the final stretch of the regular season. The top five projected players I feel will be the final five with maybe a change or two but what that does is make me and others focus on certain guys that are having breakthrough years. Chaffin is one of those guys, who has his Bees team undefeated while producing over a 1,000 offensive yards, both through the air and on the ground. Pinion is doing the same thing for his White Co. squad. He has increased his passing numbers this year while continuing to dominate on the ground.    One of the biggest surprises coming out of the 4A ranks is the play of Thompson. The Tigers junior quarterback has taken over the lead role at quarterback this year and been exceptional. He currently leads 4A in passing yards and completions. Anderson Co. sits undefeated at the moment at a top title contender in 4A with LaRue being a major cause in those efforts. His running has provided excellent balance to the Mavs offense this year while also leading the team in touchdowns. Kinnard does everything offensively for his Firebirds team. He leads the team in both rushing yards and receiving.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/wlarue.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1371620" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Class 3A   Projected Top 5 Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='783053' first='Eli' last='Graf'] - Alcoa, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1115203' first='Kolby' last='Jones'] - Unicoi Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1110699' first='Skylan' last='Smith'] - Covington, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] - East Nashville, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422921' first='Juan' last='Mejia'] - Johnson Co.   Contenders: (QB) Ayden Plemons - McMinn Cent., (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray'] - WH-Heritage, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1597256' first='Lorenz' last='Wright'] - Memp. East, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] - Westview, (WR/S) Garrett Sellers - Unicoi Co., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='466266' first='Radarious' last='Jackson'] - Sheffield   - I can see several sure contenders here that should become finalists but also some guys that may sneak up into top consideration before we wrap up the regular season. If I had to choose one guy who may sit in the driver seat, it would be Graf. The Tornadoes are yet again at the top for the 3A title with Graf at the helm, doing a lot of damage both through the air and on the ground. Smith was a finalist last year and he might be one again this year. He has performed exceptionally so far this year where he has helped his Chargers to a current 6-0 start.    You gotta keep an eye on Jones the rest of the year because he is performing at a high level while having his Blue Devils undefeated and at the top of their region. Much of the same can be said for Mejia, who is busting out on the scene with a breakout year as he leads the 3A ranks in rushing. His Longhorns team is also undefeated and in-line for a potential region title. Johnson has had a few strong games but has yet to really take take-off. I'm taking a guess that he will over the final month and play his way into the top five. Keep an eye on Murray, Plemons and Wright also potential semi-finalists as well.    - - - - -    Class 2A   Projected Top 5 Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] - East Robertson, (RB) Matthew Sloan - East Hickman, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1557044' first='Brady' last='Warbritton'] - Huntingdon, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] - Milan, (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1293394' first='Kenderrius' last='Robertson'] - Mitchell   Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='222306' first='Gray' last='Eubanks'] - Huntingdon, (RB) Ryan Shaffer - Tellico Plains, (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] - East Robertson, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='390722' first='Sam' last='Pickett III'] - Marion Co., (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='933024' first='Jack' last='Cupples'] - Riverside, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1310949' first='Daveon' last='Johnson'] - JC Merry, (LB) Ashton Martin - Marion Co.   - The race for Mr. Football in the 2A ranks I feel will go down to the final week as you have several strong contenders listed above, including those not among the projected top five. The Indians are the top team in 2A right now and with Groves out for the season, others have stepped forward, especially Young. The sophomore quarterback I feel still has more in him, so it will be interesting to see what he does the remainder of the regular season. Sloan, Warbritton and Peete all sit in the same boat as high quality ball carriers that are producing as the respective team's top backs. Sloan leads the 2A ranks in rushing right now, so his path to become a semi-finalist is strong right now.    I expect a big second half of the season from Warbritton, especially if their leader in Eubanks is out for a good while. Both of those Mustangs ball carriers could become semi-finalists as both have produced a lot of yards to this point and I expect it to continue the rest of the way. The top defensive candidate for Mr. Football this year looks to be Robertson. After having a breakout junior year, the Tigers defensive end is producing at a high level yet again while helping lead his team to a current undefeated record. Marion Co. teammates Pickett and Martin are two guys that could get into the conversation with continued strong play.    - - - - -    Class 1A   Projected Top 5 Candidates (No Order): (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102448' first='Tate' last='Surber'] - McKenzie, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1116802' first='Brandon' last='Easterly'] - Whitwell, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='466232' first='Jayden' last='Milton'] - West Carroll, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1222053' first='Jaiden' last='Bunch'] - Coalfield, (Ath) Ladarius Roberts - Halls   Contenders: (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1590252' first='Austin' last='Jones'] - Chatt. Prep, (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1400354' first='Brody' last='Whittaker'] - MASE, (RB) Bryson Grisham - Gordonsville, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600253' first='Preston' last='Mitchell'] - Houston Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'] - Chatt. Prep, (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='480919' first='Bennett' last='McDougal'] - Whitwell, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='540048' first='Stanley' last='Burrow'] - MASE   - The 1A Mr. Football battle could eventually come down to two guys in Surber and Milton but others will be right there competing for top honors. Both Surber and Milton are having monster senior seasons where the McKenzie quarterback leads the 1A ranks in passing while the War Eagles ball carrier leads the state in rushing. The surprise team in 1A this season may be Halls and Roberts has been a major contributor for them both running back the ball and making plays in the defensive backfield.    Whitwell currently sits undefeated and Easterly is a big reason why. He is their senior leader and quarterback that does a lot of his damage running the ball but his passing numbers aren't too bad either. His teammate in McDougal is someone to watch as well. Coalfield likes to run the ball and they have been giving the bulk of the carries to Bunch this year and he's taken full advantage. I fully expect to see his numbers continue to grow over the last month, where this East TN junior should earn a spot on the semi-finalist list.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/tsurber.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1090665" style="width:479px;height:auto" /></figure>