2025 Preview: Andrew Jackson Volunteers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What was once an ugly 0-6 start to the 2024 season, turned into a promising 4-2 finish over the final six games and helped head coach Jeremy Smith and the Andrew Jackson Volunteers build a bit of momentum headed into the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team full of returners such as kicker/wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165169' first='Curt' last='Horton']</strong> and offensive lineman <strong>Nick Carter</strong>, Smith believes that the team will greatly benefit from the strong finish to the season and he is expecting his experienced group to get out to a much better start this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's been a good summer so far. We've been to some tournaments and playing up in competition," Smith said. "We've had some really good practices and workouts so far this summer and it's been really good to see the guys come out and want to work and get better on a daily basis."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith certainly has guys such as running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394996' first='Damias' last='Seegars']</strong>, defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill']</strong> and quarterback <strong>Landon Neal</strong> that are the leaders and can bring the best out of their teammates and push them when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's been a good summer so far. The guys have been working hard and learning," McGil said. "Our receiver room is great and we're focusing more on a pass heavy attack this season rather than the running attack that Andrew Jackson has usually had."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394996' first='Damias' last='Seegars']</strong> RB, 2026 - Seegars is one of the true leaders on this AJ team and his production and success will go a long way towards the team's success. Last season, he rushed for 1,082 yards and 11 touchdowns, good for just under 100 yards per game. He also had a small role in the receiving game with 15 catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. He is the head man in the running back room, and he could very easily go well over his 1,082 yards from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill']</strong> DE, 2026 - McGill (pictured above) is the leader of the defensive unit and for good reason. He had a monster junior season with 98 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 sacks. He is a player that can almost single-handedly flip a game on its head, a big reason why he is one of the top ranked edge players in our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395004' first='Jase' last='Fair']</strong> OLB, 2026 - As good as McGill was last season, Fair was nearly just as good across the board. He finished the year with 125 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. The combination of he and McGill on the front seven of a defense will be a scary sight forrun heavy teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zeke Clyburn</strong> WR, 2026 - Clyburn was stuck behind a senior loaded wide receiver room last season and this will now be his time to shine in his senior year. He was productive when used last year, as he collected 17 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown. He also had two kickoff returns. He should be the No. 1 target at receiver and have his first true chance to show off his skillset and abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacayden Miller Anthony</strong> DE/MLB, 2027 - Anthony played a big role last season as a sophomore, collecting 49 tackles, five tackles for loss and one forced fumble. With the graduation of several other key defensive players, Anthony's role will be increased, and his presence and leadership will be much needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19026674/684ee6d51c51a0d977656145' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68681c5b9a3e3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jy'Kevius Johnson</strong> WR - Johnson was the Volunteers leading receiver last season with 43 catches for 489 yards and five touchdowns. He also had five interceptions, and five passes defended on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Peterson</strong> ATH - Peterson was the second leading receiver, totaling 43 catches for 422 yards and a touchdown. He also added a touch of production in the ground game with 33 carries for 162 yards and five touchdowns. Along with his offensive contribution, he added three interceptions and two passes defended on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braylon Harley</strong> LB/RB, 2028 - Harley appeared in eight of 11 games last season and did good work when given the opportunity. He racked up 50 tackles, a pass defended and a fumble recovery. Offensively, he had just four carries on the season and with Seegars still the head man at running back, Harley's production will be much more noticed on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Cunningham</strong> WR/DB, 2028 - Cunningham should have a chance to make a real impact on both sides of the ball this season after the graduation of several top-notch receivers and defensive backs. He will have a chance to really make a name for himself and position himself as a true threat on either side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1703984,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"J'Von Kelly","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68681a6874a08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelly only played in four games last season but much like Harley, he did solid work when he saw playing time. He racked up 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, as well as one catch for nine yards. Defensively, he had six passes defended in four games. He should see more opportunities at receiver this season with the graduation of several senior receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->