Class 2A Preseason Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the potential top players coming out of the 2A ranks this season that should be in consideration for Mr. Football? Find out below inside our preseason candidate watch list! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>Andrew Johnson </strong>- Fairley: Last year was a breakout season for this Memphis area passer that end with a selection among the Mr. Football semifinalists. It's very possible that Johnson makes it to Nashville this Winter as a finalist, especially if he continues to perform at a high level, puts up tons of production and leads his Bulldogs team to another winning season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705735' first='Terrell' last='Williams'] </strong>- J.C. Merry: If your looking for a sleeper prospect that could find himself among the finalists for 2A Mr. Football, it could be this West Tennessee quarterback. Returning as the top passer by the numbers for the 2A level, Williams is a dual threat guy that looks to push the ball downfield first with his arm but can produce with his legs as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1705733,"width":"228px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/twilliams.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1705733" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422904' first='Kason' last='Young'] </strong>- East Robertson: The Indians are expected to be legit yet again and a big reason why is Young and his play behind center. This multi-year starter that is one of the top dual threat guys in this state, Young is a calm, poised performer that has it in him to put up a ton of offensive yards that could eventually land him among the finalists for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] </strong>- Milan: After taking home Mr. Football honors last year, Peete has to be the leading contender headed into the Fall season. The Bulldogs ball carrier produced over 2,000 yards rushing last year and I wouldn't be surprised to see him do it again, however Peete will have a target on his back as defenses will be geared up to slow him down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] </strong>- East Nashville: You can bet this Nashville area running back is eager to get back on the field after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. If Johnson is back fully healthy, he will be a problem for opposing defenses due to his combination of power and speed. I expect the Eagles ball carrier to run his way into Mr. Football consideration after a potential breakout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630972' first='Cade' last='Brooks'] </strong>- East Robertson: A versatile piece on the Indians offense that has a skill set to excel at both receiver and running back, Brooks is a strong candidate in my eyes to contend for Mr. Football this season. His importance to the team this year is vital and I expect Brooks to be utilized in several ways throughout the Fall season as the Indians top offensive weapon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] </strong>- East Nashville: Many don't know about this Nashville area quarterback but should after the 2025 season. Talking with the East Nashville staff, they are excited about this upside from Covington and his ability to provide a passing balance to the Eagles offense. If he performs like the staff believes he will, Covington could play himself into Mr. Football consideration by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] </strong>- Memp. Biz. Acad.: One of the top offensive prospects coming from our #TN2027 class is this Memphis area running back that could find himself among the candidates for Mr. Football by the end of the year. The only thing holding Williams back from being on the top tier is the fact that looks to be sharing the backfield with a senior transfer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (OL/DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] </strong>- MASE: Even though Pittman is geared towards the D-line in college, he will be tasked with going both ways on the line for his Phoenix team this Fall. His play on the line of scrimmage will be key towards his team's overall success. If he and his team performs well this year, adding Pittman into Mr. Football consideration is very possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(LB/RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103499' first='Drew' last='Ray'] </strong>- Lewis Co.: Ever since Ray stepped onto the field with his Panthers team, he has done nothing but produce at a high level and done so on both sides of the ball. I don't expect that to change during the 2025 season, where this senior backer looks to lead the backfield in rushing yet again while also being a team captain on defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820950' first='Zach' last='Groves'] </strong>- East Robertson: Could the 2025 season be the year that Groves finally puts forth double digit numbers in sacks, which in turn could land him among the finalists for Mr. Football. It's possible as this Mid-Tennessee prospect has the makeup and talents to produce high sack numbers while also being a secondary pass catching threat on offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1702926,"width":"276px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/dray.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1702926" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bottom Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(QB) <strong>J Foster </strong>- Gordonsville: If the Tigers are to compete for a region title and possibly more, Foster will be the guy to get them there. This multi-year senior starter provides dual threat along with key leadership and a certain toughness needed in a championship caliber quarterback. If Gordonsville is to have a successful season, Foster will be a major factor behind those efforts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658485' first='Cordarius' last='Johnson'] </strong>- Milan: A dynamic athlete that has a future in college at defensive back, Johnson could be utilized further on offense this season and maybe even at quarterback. If the Bulldogs decide to use Johnson behind center, look for his offensive production to soar and potentially play his way into the conversation for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (Ath) <strong>Shawn Cupples </strong>- Riverside: Projecting into the season, all signs point towards Cupples becoming the team's top guy, who goes both ways at quarterback and linebacker. The Panthers like to use their quarterback on the ground and Cupples fits that role well. I foresee him having a highly productive junior season that might lead to Mr. Football consideration.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‘27 (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693459' first='Jayland' last='Eckford'] </strong>- J.C. Merry: As a sophomore last season, Eckford produced 12 sacks and was a near unstoppable force getting after the quarterback. While the opposition will be gearing to slow him down, there is no reason to think that the Cougars edge rusher won't have another highly productive season. If he does, Mr. Football is possible while watching his recruiting stock take-off.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Candidates: </strong>‘27 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103037' first='Riley' last='Martin'] </strong>- Smith Co., (RB) <strong>Jemario Williams </strong>- Gordonsville, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] </strong>- Marion Co., (RB) <strong>Nash Rader </strong>- South Greene, (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591156' first='Zeke' last='Walkup'] </strong>- Cannon Co., (LB) <strong>Ashton Martin </strong>- Marion Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1705725,"width":"368px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_20250708_142633.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1705725" style="width:368px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->