#TN2027 Future Cast: Emerging Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who might be the top quarterbacks to know about and watch from our in-state sophomore class? Our Future Cast below might provide those answers as the 2024 season has provided us a nice glimpse into the future at quarterback within the Volunteer State!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future at quarterback looks bright here in the state of Tennessee! The 2024 season has provided us an opportunity to scout and watch our crop of sophomore signal callers this Fall and by the look of things, it's a talented group that will have plenty of college coaches coming here to recruit in the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether you want a pocket passer, an athlete that throws well on the run or simply a dual threat guy, the #TN2027 crop of quarterbacks provides multiple options for your college offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top of class is still in-flux where we have several guys competing as well as plenty of time for development. Early in this process, the guys we have geared for the top of the quarterback class is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] </strong>(Antioch), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305768' first='D.J.' last='Hunter'] </strong>(Bearden), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] </strong>(Sevier Co.) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1167467' first='Will' last='Jones'] </strong>from Maryville but nothing is for certain and many other passers are right there with them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537556,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/cnewman2.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-1537556" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams could be the top name when it comes to recruiting and holding offers but he must continue developing his body and overall game to remain at top. The Bears sophomore is a smooth passer with athleticism that allows him to make plays outside the pocket. Adams holds tremendous upside, so you can see why several Power Four schools have offered.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter and Newman are two pocket passers that can drive the ball down field as both sport big arms with zip. Both quarterbacks hold a few offers in-hand and will soon add to that list as both have impressive sophomore highlights. Jones is someone to watch for in the coming months as I expect his recruitment to take a spike due to his work this season and his upside for the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking beyond those four, we have a large group of quarterbacks that have progressed this season and caught our eyes. A good chunk of those passers come from the Mid-Tennessee part of this state with standouts being <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902986' first='Hudson' last='Holman'] </strong>(Pope Prep), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] </strong>(East Robertson), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] </strong>(Brentwood Academy), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286233' first='L.J.' last='Funk'] </strong>(Pearl Cohn), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray'] </strong>(WH-Heritage), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104293' first='Blake' last='Waldorf'] </strong>(Watertown), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1317766' first='Sawyer' last='Phillips'] </strong>(Beech), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] </strong>(Independence), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866735' first='Donte' last='Cameron'] </strong>(Riverdale) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207141' first='Marcus' last='Cameron'] </strong>from Blackman.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's a large group of quarterbacks from the Mid-TN region that is already making waves this early in their high school careers. Most of those guys are starters (Holman, Young, Funk, Murray, Waldorf &amp; M. Cameron) with a few of them still learning on the job, waiting on their time to take over the reins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537560,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/xmurray.webp?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1537560" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holman is putting up strong numbers for his Knights squad this Fall while building good recruiting buzz. Young has his Indians team in-line for a potential deep playoff run. He is also a contender for 2A Mr. Football. Funk has done a good job of managing his offense and getting the ball to his senior playmakers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murray is putting himself on the map with a strong sophomore campaign. He might contend for Mr. Football as well this year but will definitely be a contender through the next two years. Waldorf is having a solid season as well and should be a guy to follow in the off-season to watch his progression as a potential small town under the radar talent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cameron boys are learning on the job this year with Marcus beginning to shape into the starter at Blackman while Donte sits behind a senior this year but should be the starter come next Fall. Phillips is in the same role over at Beech, learning behind a multi-year starter. He has the look of a potential college guy however and someone to watch as a potential transfer candidate in the off-season. Horner is a big dude (6'6 200 lbs) that is gaining nice experience this year with untapped potential for the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox. Catholic could have one of the more explosive offenses in the state next year with the emergence this Fall of sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew']</strong>. Moving out East for the 2024 season from the Nashville area, Bartholomew has stepped into the starting role and performed quite well. He has had some struggles but also flashed serious college potential and talent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the East Tennessee region, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904027' first='Jaylon' last='Benjamin'] </strong>from Clinton and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] </strong>out of Farragut are two sophomore passers that have taken over starting roles this year and excelled. Both have struggled at times and shown areas of needed improvement but have also flashed some good arm talent and upside for the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537580,"width":"275px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/chobson.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1537580" style="width:275px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mitchell Tigers have their quarterback of the future and present at the moment with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535803' first='Raoul' last='Jones']</strong>, who has stepped into the starting role this year to lead his team to a current 6-1 record. This 6'4 passer shows nice tools and potential that can continue to be built upon through the upcoming offseason. Biggest thing is getting into the weight room and packing on some needed weight.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two West Tennessee signal callers that are on our radar but are on the sidelines this season waiting their turns is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905003' first='Brayden' last='Santibanez'] </strong>from Collierville and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] </strong>out of USJ. These two sophomores are sitting behind two seniors at the moment but are next in-line to be the “guy' behind center for their respective teams. Both also show college upside, so Santibanez and Creech are two quarterbacks to certainly watch for in the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This sophomore class is shaping up nicely with multiple guys already standing out and plenty of time for everyone listed above to develop further. There will also be new names added to the in-state quarterback radar over the coming year, so expect the #TN2027 class to grow deeper as time goes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537564,"width":"358px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ljfunk.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1537564" style="width:358px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->