Class 1A Pre-season Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the top players to watch for this Fall that could be in consideration for the top individual award on the 1A level? We got that covered for you here w/ our pre-season Mr. Football contenders! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- All prospects listed below could move themselves up or down the tier levels throughout the coming season along with some unknowns jumping onto the radar to for 1A Mr. Football contention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1595499' first='Gavin' last='Wise'] </strong>- Moore Co.: Wise is a multi-year starter that spearheads an offense that consistently moves the ball and puts up points. The Raiders have a chance to compete for a region title this year and if they do, Wise will be a major reason why. I can see this lefty quarterback producing a lot of stats, both through the air and on the ground.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/Ath) K.D. Taylor </strong>- Humboldt: This West TN prospect returns as the top producing passer from the 1A ranks and a guy that can do a lot of athletic things behind center that should put him in the picture for Mr. Football. The Vikings should be much improved this Fall with a shot at competing for a region title, especially if Taylor performs at a high level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1603459' first='Cole' last='Brown'] </strong>- McKenzie: Coming off a very productive sophomore season at receiver, Brown looks to be the new guy behind center for McKenzie and a prospect that could surprise many with his play at quarterback this Fall. Brown is a talented young man that has playmaker written all over him. His play this year will be critical behind the Rebels chances at competing for championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] </strong>- South Pittsburg: The 2025 season could be a breakout year for this two-way prospect. Buckner is a seasoned starter that should see his workload increase this Fall as the team's top ball carrier and one of the better defensive players. Buckner is an athletic guy that runs well, bringing a big play threat to the football field that many on the 1A level don't have.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Luke DiPietro/[player_tooltip player_id='1690526' first='Cooper' last='Allman'] - </strong>Dresden<strong>: </strong>This one-two combination at running back could prove to be the difference in Dresden competing for a region title and becoming a sleeper to make it to the 1A championship game. The Lions enjoy running the ball and with DiPietro and Allman as their lead guys, they have possibly the best duo in the backfield within the 1A ranks this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1685647,"width":"245px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/cbrown.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1685647" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/LB) Lucas Adcock - </strong>Coalfield: The Yellow Jackets could be leaning a ton on Adcock this year to not only produce at quarterback but be a leader on defense as well. Last year was a banner year for Coalfield but they still fell one game short of competing for the 1A title. Adock is a guy that could possibly lead them to Chattanooga due to his physical running style at quarterback along with the ability to occasionally make the key throw.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Jeremiah Jones </strong>- Humboldt: Jones may be in the middle tier now but could become a prime candidate for Mr. Football by the end of the football year. This power back produced at a high level as a junior but could be someone that sniffs at running for close to 2,000 yards this season, especially if he stays healthy and his offensive line does their job.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Timmy Arline - </strong>McKenzie<strong>: </strong>This could be the sleeper to win Mr. Football in 1A this year. Arline played his part last year as a secondary guy but should see his workload increase this year as the Rebels are transitioning new players into key roles on offense this year. I expect this West TN back to take on a big role this year, where Arline could end up being the top offensive producer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1599884' first='Nolan' last='Adams'] - </strong>Clay Co.<strong>: </strong>Adams does several things on both sides of the ball for his Bulldogs team that shows college upside at either receiver or safety. This Mid-TN product could be the top pass catcher on the 1A level but will need a new quarterback this Fall to throw him the ball. If the Bulldogs can shore up the signal caller positions, Adams could play his way into consideration for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] - </strong>South Pittsburg<strong>: </strong>Cooper is an interesting case for Mr. Football this year as he should be transitioning from quarterback into a different role at receiver and defensive back. Bringing in a new passer to the Pirates offense should allow Cooper to stand out more as the team's top offensive weapon, who can catch passes and take handoffs while potentially excelling on defense as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1562332,"width":"258px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/daycooper.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1562332" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1432186' first='Liam' last='Boeke'] </strong>- Oliver Springs: The Bobcats proved to be one of the better teams on the 1A level with a lot of it due to the play of Boeke. This senior quarterback returns with several nice pieces around him that could helps Boeke contend for Mr. Football honors. Increasing his production this Fall along with winning will go a long way towards helping him contend for top individual honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1667366' first='Caleb' last='Odom'] </strong>- Middle College: Odom is a tricky guy to pinpoint for Mr. Football as it's unknown right now how many snaps at running back he will take this season as Bulldogs have a few options to run in the backfield. He will be a playmaker in the secondary and I expect to produce at a high level but to be considered for Mr. Football, Odom must also produce at a high level on offense as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1679513' first='Quasean' last='Black'] </strong>- Fayetteville: The Tigers are a team to watch for the ‘25 season and if they are in the mix for a region title, Black should be a major reason why. This two-way product has explosive game play about himself that should allow him to become the team's top offensive weapon and someone that could be a playmaker on defense as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1543010' first='Reece' last='Adams'] - </strong>Clay Co.: Adams returns for the ‘25 season as the leading tackler from the 1A level and I expect him to increase his input even further. The Bulldogs senior linebacker plays hard and fast with a nose for the ball. I wouldn't be surprised to see Adams lead 1A again in tackles but also double his numbers from last year, which could make him a sleeper possibility for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Candidates to Know: </strong>‘27 (QB) <strong>Matthew McMahan </strong>- Cosby, (QB) <strong>Caden Jones </strong>- South Pitt, (QB/S) <strong>Grant Jernigan </strong>- Huntland, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142007' first='Ben' last='Pruitt'] </strong>- West Carroll, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133241' first='Hunter' last='Uland'] </strong>- Cornersville, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654391' first='Dillon' last='Dickerson'] </strong>- Middle College, (OL/DT) <strong>Chase Mitchell </strong>- McEwen, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134337' first='J.R.' last='Hardrick'] </strong>- South Pitt, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284145' first='Jaqwan' last='Ellison'] </strong>- Dresden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1692343,"width":"269px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/qblack.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1692343" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->