TN2027 Rankings: Offensive Breakdown (QB/RB/WR)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our junior rankings are live! It's time to breakdown everything you will see inside our Tennessee Top 150, starting here with the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers (These positions are very talented and deep that includes the #1 and #2 overall prospects)</h2>     Our junior rankings have arrived! After months of scouting film and learning more about these prospects, we have made it to our Prep Redzone Tennessee Top 150. It was a long, in-depth process of breaking down highlights and watching these prospects develop over the off-season months to place themselves among the current top players across the Volunteer State.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2027-watch-list/">Tennessee Top 150</a>   Quarterback   - It was a battle to find our top quarterback for the #TN2027 class between [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] (Sevier Co.) and [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] (Antioch) but at the end of the process, we felt that right now, Newman was the better prospect. The Smoky Bears junior has better physical size compared to Adams at the moment along with a state title in his belt that made us feel that Newman (13th overall/1st QB) was currently the top guy.    Newman sports the physical tools to one day become a Power Four level signal caller. He shows excellent poise in the pocket along with having a big arm that can put the ball wherever he wants to on a consistent basis. The Smoky Bears quarterback is a solid athlete too for his size that can make plays with his arm and legs outside the pocket.    Not too far behind is Adams. The Bears junior passer (18th overall/2nd QB) brings a lot of upside to the playing field that translates well to the college game. He has clean mechanics, a natural feel for making big plays with his arm and legs along with a frame that can push on more weight over time. This guy is a playmaker that needs more time to add power to his right arm along with adding the weight needed to sustain on the college level.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/aadams.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1357967" style="width:260px;height:auto" /></figure>   Depth is a key word with our junior quarterbacks as we have multiple strong options from this position that appear destined for the college game. We have a total of ten signal callers ranked inside our “Top 100” with several others sitting right behind that ten that could move up within our next update.    Coming in 3rd among the quarterbacks and 38th overall is Pearl Cohn junior [player_tooltip player_id='1286233' first='L.J.' last='Funk']. This guy is quickly becoming a fast riser that is gaining interest from several strong programs across the college landscape due to his athleticism, big arm and gunslinging mentality. I really like the upside with Funk and his future on the next level.    Two East Tennessee passers in [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] (72nd overall/4th QB) from Farragut and [player_tooltip player_id='1167467' first='Will' last='Jones'] (73rd overall/5th QB) from Maryville are two future college guys that bring different skill sets to the field. Hobson is your pro-style quarterback that has great arm strength that allows him to throw the ball all over the yard while Jones is a dual threat guy that can produce with both his arm and his legs.    Collierville junior [player_tooltip player_id='905003' first='Brayden' last='Santibanez'] (75th overall/6th QB) has some of the best potential of all quarterbacks inside our junior class. He has great arm strength with zip that plays well towards the college game as well as being one of the better running quarterbacks we have in this crop. This Fall will be his first time as a full time starter, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.    Much of what was said above can be the same for [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne']. The Silverdale junior (85th overall/7th QB) already has college size (6'3 185) along with a talented right arm that should help him get on the radar with a breakout junior year. Brentwood Academy signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] (86th overall/8th QB) is undersized but may be one of the better pure passers we have from the #TN2027 class. This guy has a smooth throwing motion along with nice athleticism that should allow him to make plays all around the pocket.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/cjenkins.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1697518" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure>   Rounding out the Top 100 for the quarterbacks are [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] (90th overall/9th QB) from Knox. Catholic and rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1652877' first='Jack' last='Van Orman'] (91st overall/10th QB) from CPA. Bartholomew is a pro-style signal caller that has clean mechanics with developing arm strength that should help further his recruitment during the upcoming season. Van Orman has yet to take any significant snaps for his Lions offense but has shown this off-season that he has the size and arm talent to get on the college radar. He already has an offer for Bowling Green and I expect many others to follow suit over time.    Sitting just outside the Top 100 are some talented quarterbacks that could move up the rankings after a strong junior campaign. Independence passer [player_tooltip player_id='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] (104th overall/11th QB) is dripping with potential. The Eagles 6'6 quarterback has college size along with nice arm talent that has improved a ton over these off-season months. He is a dual threat guy too that moves, runs well for his size.    New to the state of Tennessee this Fall is Melrose junior [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. The Golden Wildcats quarterback (119th overall/12th) is a talented young man with some of the best mechanics within his junior class. Heffner is a pro-style passer that can make all the throws while also having the athleticism to create with his legs.    The final two ranked quarterbacks inside our Top 150 are two pocket passers that have a chance to put up some big numbers for the 2025 season. Those two passers are [player_tooltip player_id='1660896' first='Kason' last='McGowan'] (120th overall/13th QB) from Bradley Central and USJ junior [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] (140th overall/14th QB). Both these guys need time to further develop their bodies and their games but have the tools to find a spot somewhere on the next level.    Just Missed The Cut: [player_tooltip player_id='902986' first='Hudson' last='Holman'] - FRA, [player_tooltip player_id='1535791' first='Brody' last='Sparks'] - Carter   - - - - -    Running Backs    - Our #TN2027 running back class looks to be one of the stronger units from this position that we have had in some time as it has multiple guys destined for the Power Four level with others set for the D1 or FCS stage. It's a deep class as well that has guys sitting just outside our rankings that could become strong in-state names by the time we finish the 2025 season.    The top overall ranked prospect comes from the running backs with Baylor junior [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] taking the top spot. This guy has everything you want in a number one back. The Red Raiders junior is explosive with the ball in his hands along with having the strength to run through tacklers then find a second gear towards the end zone. Some may question why a running back is our top overall prospect but trust me, Gabriel-Georges is that good!    Memphis Business Academy ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] (20th overall/2nd RB) has shot up the charts this off-season to become one of the top offensive prospects in the state and his stock is still surging as we inch closer to the season. The Execs junior is a load to handle due to his physical size and playing style along with his deceptive speed. Once Williams gets into the open field, he is tough to deal with or bring down.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/lH9vGBKn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1630629" style="width:280px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] from Westview and [player_tooltip player_id='1665478' first='Jean-Pierre' last='Eto'o'] are two physically gifted ball carriers that have college size as well as the athleticism and burst to become number one backs on the collegiate playing stage. Barnes (30th overall/3rd RB) brings a nice combination of size, speed and power to the field that has him squarely on the Power Four radar. Eto'o (34th overall/4th RB) is new to Baylor and the state of Tennessee but should be a known name by the end of the season. This is a powerful, well balanced runner that opposing defenses will have a hard time bringing down due to his physical running style.    Coming off a breakout junior year, GCA running back [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] (37th overall/5th RB) is an athletic, explosive guy that shows elite level quickness and footwork along with having enough physicality to run through contact. Collierville junior [player_tooltip player_id='1684759' first='Dillan' last='Vaughn'] is new to us at #PRZTN but someone to definitely follow this coming Fall season. The Dragons ball carrier (51st overall/6th RB) has the needed size and athleticism to increase his stock and get on the radar of many collegiate coaching staffs with a strong junior year.    Gatlinburg-Pittman running back [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] (65th overall/7th RB) is a small town guy but big stage talent that has a nice combination of balance, explosive running and physicality that translates well to the college game. If he can increase his agility, the Highlanders ball carrier could see a ranking rise during our next update.    Two Memphis based running backs that cracked our Top 100 prospects are [player_tooltip player_id='1370886' first='Jaibriel' last='Bowers'] (74th overall/8th RB) from Bartlett and [player_tooltip player_id='378893' first='Larry' last='Johnson III'] (77th overall/9th RB) from Germantown. Bowers is one of the biggest, most physical ball carriers we have in this class that has yet to be the lead guy but could be in-store for a coming out party this Fall. Johnson is undersized but explosive with some of the best lower base power we have in this class.    Oak Ridge junior [player_tooltip player_id='1567420' first='Damillyan' last='Porter'] rounds out our ranked running back prospects as he sits 84th overall and 10th among the ball carriers. The Wildcats back is a powerful runner that won't go down on first contact and will continue moving forward due to his lower base power. If he can increase his speed, Porter could move higher among our running back rankings.    Just Missed The Cut: [player_tooltip player_id='723428' first='Larry' last='Sanders II'] - Brentwood Acad., [player_tooltip player_id='1590259' first='Jamari' last='Goines'] - Knox. West, [player_tooltip player_id='1260912' first='Harold' last='Marshall III'] - Kirkwood   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/tthomas.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1507701" style="width:262px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Wide Receivers   - The 2027 junior receiver class could turn out to be one of the best position groups of all as we have 17 guys ranked inside our Top 150 with several others outside the rankings that could raise their stocks with strong Fall seasons. It's also a group that presents a lot of variety from its size, speed and playmaking abilities along with multiple guys that could excel both from the outside and in the slot.    The top guy from this talented position is Brentwood Academy wideout [player_tooltip player_id='378855' first='Kesean' last='Bowman']. Coming in ranked 2nd overall, the Eagles pass catcher has elite written all over him as Bowman can do just about everything on the football field. He has good size along with outstanding footwork and speed that allows him to get off the snap fast and into his route before his defender can catch up.    I don't foresee anybody taking the top spot away from Bowman, so everybody else is fighting for second place. Right now, the guy we have pegged in that spot is Blackman junior [player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor']. Standing 6 '3 195 pounds, the Blaze receiver looks the part of a college guy the moment he steps on the field and he plays like it too. Oduor (8th overall/2nd WR) is a physical specimen that runs well while having some of the best hands within this class that also does good work versus contact.    One of the biggest stock risers this off-season has been East Nashville receiver [player_tooltip player_id='851938' first='Cameron' last='Wade']. Speed is this guy's calling card as well as some of the quickest feet we have in this group. Wade (9th overall/3rd WR)  is elite with his line release while also being dangerous once he gets into open space. He needs to get bigger but the playmaking abilities are definitely in-place.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/camwade.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1697523" style="width:256px;height:auto" /></figure>   Collierville junior [player_tooltip player_id='1285495' first='Tae' last='Walden, Jr'] checks in next at 4th among the receivers and 27th overall. The Dragons receiver is a true outside wideout that uses his size to his advantage and once the ball is in his hands, he does a nice job of separating. Keep eyes out this Fall for Lipscomb Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='1410131' first='Lexton' last='Baskin'] (32nd overall/5th WR) as I foresee him being a breakout star that could move his ranking higher with a strong Fall season.    Joining Bowman in the Brentwood Academy receiving corp will be junior [player_tooltip player_id='1118087' first='Eli' last='Ferguson']. The Eagles wideout (35th overall/6th WR) is a perfect option for the slot where his foot speed and route running can become a problem for opposing defenders. Ranked 36th overall and 7th among the receivers, Alcoa junior [player_tooltip player_id='817933' first='Jamir' last='Dean'] is a budding star that has a nice combination of athleticism, size and speed that translate very well to the college game.    New on our radar this off-season, MBA receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1691433' first='Carter' last='Kilburg'] (76th overall/8th WR) has made a strong impression the last several months to put himself among the Top 100 prospects in the state. The Big Red junior has good size that works well on the outside but could also have some of the best hands and route running you will find here in Tennessee.    A small town guy that many may not know about now but is highly talented is DeKalb Co. junior [player_tooltip player_id='1617382' first='Ryan' last='Lyons']. Explosive with quick feet, Lyons (83rd overall/9th WR) is a big play threat waiting to happen that could excel in the slot or outside. The Tigers junior does need to keep enhancing his body but the ball skills and overall talent is there to eventually become a D1 guy.    Northeast junior [player_tooltip player_id='1597636' first='Terry' last='Jones'] (109th overall/10th WR) and [player_tooltip player_id='903953' first='Jones' last='Merrill'] (110th overall/11th WR) from Brentwood are two athletic slot guys that use their speed and ball skills to find success. Jones has explosive flashes about himself that I feel will only get better as he continues to mature. Merrill is a crafty guy that knows how to get open due to his route running and feel for the game. He also plays well through contact, showing outstanding concentration and hands.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/jmerrill.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1675751" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure>   Three guys with natural athletic abilities, who could excel out of the slot in college come next in [player_tooltip player_id='1603459' first='Cole' last='Brown'] (141st overall/12th WR) from McKenzie, [player_tooltip player_id='1568969' first='Warner' last='Hart'] (142nd overall/13th WR) from MBA and [player_tooltip player_id='1677444' first='Colton' last='Foust'] (146th overall/14th) out of Maryville.    Brown had a breakout sophomore year where he produced over 1,200 yards receiving. He may take on the quarterback role this season but I like his college upside best at receiver. Hart and Foust could be two of the fastest wideouts we have coming out of the #TN2027 class. Both show solid route running along with the ability to turn a short gain into big plays.    Goodpasture junior [player_tooltip player_id='903798' first='Slim' last='Leavell'] (147th overall/15th WR) is raw but talented with good size and a wide radius target that quarterbacks would enjoy throwing to. He needs to increase his agility and speed as well as adding more body mass to his slender frame but the ball skills are there.    Junior [player_tooltip player_id='933063' first='Kaden' last='Grigsby'] (148th overall/16th WR) from Nash. Christian and [player_tooltip player_id='1629937' first='Kaden' last='Webber'] (150th overall/17th WR) from Grace Christian Academy are two under the radar pass catchers that had productive sophomore seasons with both having the opportunity to be their team's top target for the Fall football year.    Just Missed The Cut: [player_tooltip player_id='905296' first='Fletcher' last='Fields'] - BGA, [player_tooltip player_id='906618' first='Levi' last='Isen'] - Ensworth, [player_tooltip player_id='1393974' first='Ethan' last='Farhat'] - Farragut, [player_tooltip player_id='1586188' first='Brayden' last='Sharpe'] - Anderson Co.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2027-watch-list/">#TN2027 Prospect Rankings</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/kbowman2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1675750" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure>