Sophomore Sensations: Quarterbacks (Early Look)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beginning our look at the #TN2028 class, here we begin with the quarterbacks, where we have a talented crop of passers that show the potential to become highly recruited players somewhere in the near future. </h2>     (Players mentioned in no particular order)   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] - Westview: Coming off leading his Chargers team to the 3A title game as a freshman, Simpson is a budding star that will contend for the top prospect in this class for the #TN2028 class. Sporting a great feel for the game, Simpson shows excellent arm talent and pocket awareness that translates very well to the college game. He also has good size too with a body to continue packing on more weight. The sky's the limit for this West Tennessee that will have every school in the country looking his way.    - - - - -    (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='904978' first='Gavin' last='Strang'] - Brentwood: Making the move to Brentwood and the Mid-Tennessee area for the remainder of his high school career, Strang is a big dude (6'5 185) behind center with a big arm and plenty of room for development and growth with his body and game. This is a true pocket passer that stands tall and delivers the ball on time. He is a solid athlete for his size but does need further development in this area. If Strang can continue to work on his game while filling out his body, he can become an eventual Power Four recruit.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1588108' first='Jour'din' last='Shelton'] - Germantown: There is a lot of upside with this sophomore signal caller. Shelton is an athletic guy behind center with solid size (6'2 180) that works well within and outside the pocket. The biggest thing that stands out to me about this Memphis area quarterback is his arm talent. Shelton is a power thrower that shows accuracy and the ability to push the ball deep. He does need to tweak his mechanics some (Bring ball up, shorten the throwing motion) but it's easy to fix. The Red Devils sophomore also has room to put on more size as he continues to mature into his body.    <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jourdinshelton1/status/1894034956424208680 </div></figure>   - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1036255' first='Price' last='Renovich'] - MUS: The Owls have pushed out some talented quarterbacks over the years and Renovich looks like the next one in line. Going through his freshman film, Renovich could be the best pure passer coming out of our #TN2028 class. He may not have the fan fair that Simpson does but the Owls rising sophomore can spin it while throwing for outstanding accuracy with solid arm strength. Renovich is definitely a guy to follow over the next few years and watch his growth.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1178597' first='Garrett' last='King'] - Knox. Catholic: It may take some time before King hits the field for the Fighting Irish but the talent is there for this sophomore signal to eventually take the reins and become the team's starting quarterback. King brings a nice combination of athleticism and arm talent to the playing field that can be developed into a college level prospect. He is still raw and working on his craft while transforming his body but the tools are there to become a known name over time.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] - Briarcrest Chrst.: Dixon is a strong armed passer with excellent mechanics and poise in the pocket that should entice college coaches. This is a pure, pass first quarterback that stands tall in the pocket and delivers the ball on time with accuracy. Dixon has yet to become “the guy” at Briarcrest but he should be there sooner than later. His upside is strong and like the early maturity I see out of this Memphis area quarterback that would translate well to the college game.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1088646' first='Caleb' last='Sims'] - Gibson Co.: Coming from a small area in West Tennessee, Sims is a strong armed passer that came to our Winter Showcase and put himself on the map as possibly one of the better quarterbacks from his region in the #TN2028 class. The Pioneers sophomore brings good size, solid mechanics and good athleticism to the playing field along with a frame that can pack on more weight. He is still in developmental mode but the tools are there to become a college level signal caller one day.    <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rsims1213/status/1901458450300743850 </div></figure>   - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1092711' first='Jake' last='Payne'] - USJ: The first thing you immediately like about this sophomore quarterback is his size. Payne is a big dude (6'6 205) behind center that has the profile of a pocket passer with the arm talent to push the ball down field. He has plenty of time to develop as Payne has another ahead of him at USJ but in time, this #TN2028 passer should take over as the main guy. There are a lot of tools here with Payne that scream college potential.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1580784' first='Deon' last='Barnes'] - Whites Creek: Barnes received a lot of experience last Fall as the Cobras starting quarterback, showing off a nice skill set that can place him in the conversation as one of the best at his position for the Mid-TN region. Barnes throws a pretty ball, a tight spiral that is pushed with good arm strength that should improve over time. He scans the field well, showing early maturity. The Cobras sophomore is also a good athlete with a 2nd gear in open space. He needs to add more weight and develop his game further but I like the tools I see with Barnes.    - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037760' first='Curtis' last='Shields III'] - Whitehaven: The Tigers could have a bright offensive future with this rising sophomore at the helm. Shields is a dual threat guy that brings tremendous athleticism to the quarterback position but also shows the arm talent to become a threat in the passing game as well. Game action is lacking right now but that could change in the Fall where Shields should have the inside track at becoming the starting guy. I like the upside here with Shields. Time is all that is needed before this guy jumps on the scene.   <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/treyfootball_5/status/1822124772358021588 </div></figure>   - - - - -   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] - Memp. Central: Keep eye on this guy from the greater Memphis area who shows early signs of being a gunslinger. Wright is a multi talented guy that moves in the pocket well while keeping his eyes down field. He shows clean mechanics and good arm strength for his age. Wright is a good athlete that can make throws within and outside the pocket. The Warriors sophomore has all the tools to develop into a legit college prospect with potential to play on the D1 stage one day.    - - -   Other QB's to Know .....   [player_tooltip player_id='1570545' first='Parks' last='Lederer'] - Knox. Webb   [player_tooltip player_id='1196806' first='Tate' last='Mathis'] - Fairview   [player_tooltip player_id='1178596' first='Seaton' last='Moffett'] - CAK   [player_tooltip player_id='1219525' first='Peyton' last='Wireman'] - Shelbyville   [player_tooltip player_id='1580782' first='Josh' last='Vineyard'] - Lakeway Chrst.   [player_tooltip player_id='1188708' first='Cosmo' last='DeMatteo'] - Baylor   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/prenovich.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1642171" style="width:319px;height:auto" /></figure>