Class 3A Preseason Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the top players from the 3A ranks that we see as top contenders for Mr. Football? Find out below w/ our deep collection of prospects who all have a shot to win top individual honors. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] - Westview</strong>: This sophomore was in the mix last year for Mr. Football as a freshman and I expect him to be at the top of the list for candidates this season. Simpson is mature beyond his years with a great understanding at reading defense. He put up silly numbers last year, helping lead his Chargers team to the 3A title game and I expect even better stats this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/LB) Tuff Ricker - Meigs Co.: </strong>Ricker does just about everything for his Tigers team. Having the ball in his hands on a consistent basis at quarterback, Ricker should produce a lot of offensive yards while leading Meigs Co. to a lot of wins. He should also produce on defense as well. This East TN talent will be on the field all night, so he is a prime candidate to contend for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] - Westview</strong>: Playing within a well balanced offense, Barnes has a chance to run for big numbers this year and place himself squarely in the mix for Mr. Football consideration. The competition will surely be geared on slowing down Simpson and the Chargers passing attack, so Barnes will be given ample opportunities to run the ball and showcase why he is one of the top backs from the #TN2027 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1659259' first='Jaheim' last='Smith'] - Covington: </strong>Look out towards a breakout year from this West Tennessee two-way talent. Smith steps into a lead role this year and I expect big numbers from him due to his elite athleticism and quickness. The Chargers back should have the ball in his hands a lot this Fall while also roaming on the back end of the defense looking to pick off passes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1727430,"width":"295px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/gsimpson2-crop-1765x1159-1753303242.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1727430" style="width:295px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='317160' first='Xavier' last='Murray'] - White House-Heritage: </strong>The Patriots could be legit this season but that all depends on the health of Murray and his ability to perform at a high level each week. If he is healthy, expect a big year from this junior quarterback that shows a great feel for the game. Murray is a leader that finds the open receiver on a consistent basis and with his knee the way it is, look for him to spin the ball more this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422921' first='Juan' last='Mejia'] - Johnson Co.</strong>: One leading returning rushers from the Class 3A ranks is this East Tennessee back that I think will have another productive season that should put him in talks for Mr. Football. As long as Mejia stays healthy, the O-line does their part and his team wins enough games, this top honor could be in play for a potential 2,000 yard ball carrier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'] - Chatt. Prep: </strong>Part of me wants to put Gardner on the tier above but I just don't think his Sentinels team will win enough games to put him in the conversation for Mr. Football. I still think this talented senior back will produce a lot of yards on the ground and most of the team's touchdowns, so there is an outside shot for Gardner to be named a semi-finalist.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1715245,"width":"237px","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/mgardner.webp?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1715245" style="width:237px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1630084' first='Cale' last='Hunt'] - White House-Heritage: </strong>Hunt is my sleeper pick for Mr. Football this year as I foresee the Patriots offense using him much more this season as their starting quarterback comes back from injury. This 5 '10 ball carrier produced over a 1,000 yards last year and I believe he's in-store for a bigger season this Fall. Hunt is a good pass catcher too that should become a nice secondary receiving option.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown'] - Westview: </strong>Some may not look at this guy as a candidate for Mr. Football but expectations are high for Brown and his usage on both sides of the ball this season. Coming off a highly productive sophomore year, Brown could turn out to be the team's top receiver while also leading the secondary in tackles and interceptions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bottom Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB/DB) Tyler Anderson - Tyner Academy: </strong>The Rams are expected to be a title contending team this year and if they are, Anderson will be a major contributor behind those efforts. This Chattanooga area prospect should be going both ways but it will be his work at quarterback that could land him in contention for Mr. Football by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1199149' first='Hicks' last='Hunter'] - Sycamore: </strong>If Hunter played on a more successful team, he would be at the top of the list for Mr. Football. He can still get there running for the War Eagles, especially if his team is competing for a region title. Hunter is truly underrated with college upside due to his athleticism, speed and vision towards consistently finding open holes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] - Gatlinburg-Pittman: </strong>It will be interesting to see who takes the bulk of the carries at Pittman as Maples is expected to share the backfield with another possible Mr. Football candidate. Maples makes the cut as his explosive running will be too hard to keep off the field, which means he has a great shot to put up some large stats this Fall season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT/OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1651781' first='LaMarkus' last='Grigsby'] - Camden Central: </strong>The one lineman I see possibly contending for Mr. Football is this Mid-TN two-way lineman that has a chance to reach the college level. Grigsby is a problem at defensive tackle where his burst off the snap causes problems for opposing offensive linemen. If his Lions win a bunch of games this year, Grigsby has a slight chance to contend for top honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Candidates: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115203' first='Kolby' last='Jones']</strong> - Unicoi Co., ‘28 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] </strong>- Melrose, (RB) <strong>Cecilio Rodriguez </strong>- Gatlinburg-Pittman, (RB/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142005' first='Austin' last='Griffith']</strong> - Sequatchie Co., (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='964719' first='Donteze' last='Joy']</strong> - Westview, ‘27 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103458' first='Tavarco' last='Jackson']</strong> - Melrose</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1610920,"width":"185px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/hhunter.webp?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-1610920" style="width:185px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->