Class 6A Preseason Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have a very deep and talented crop of contenders for 6A Mr. Football this year. This is probably the best collection of prospective contenders that we have had in some time for the 6A level with plenty of prospects in the conversation to take home 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>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] - Southwind: </strong>Perkins didn't take the crown of Mr. Football last year but he did two years ago. I think a return to Nashville is very possible with this Memphis area passer being a strong candidate to bring home his second “Gold Ball”. The Jaguars senior signal caller has continued to improve throughout his career and I believe he could poised for his best statistical year yet as Perkins has a deep and talented receiving corps to work with. The competition for Mr. Football will be fierce on the 6A level but Perkins has to be at the top of the list as a strong contender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='205650' first='Blaine' last='Stansberry'] - Oak Ridge: </strong>The Wildcats made the move up to the 6A ranks this season and they couldn't have came at a better time as Oak Ridge stands a good shot at competing for a state title with Stansberry at the top of charts for Mr. Football. This East Tennessee passer looks to be in the best shape he's been throughout his career, which tells me he's ready for a big year. That can happen as Stansberry will work some talented receivers that should boost his numbers. If the Cats win a bunch of games and Stansberry produces at a high level, he will be placed in prime consideration for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='964976' first='Kannon' last='Burroughs'] - Green Hill: </strong>One of the better dual threat quarterbacks we have from our senior class is this Mid-Tennessee product that will have a great shot at contending for Mr. Football with a strong senior showing. The Hawks will have a balanced offense and a running back that could fight for top honors as well but Burroughs will have the ball in his hands the most. I expect him to produce at a high level this season while leading his Hawks team to a lot of wins. If his team does well this Fall, Burroughs could most definitely find his name in consideration for the classifications top individual honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1723184' first='Will' last='Jones'] - Maryville: </strong>Jones may be on the bingo card for some when it comes to competing for Mr. Football but he is high on my list as I expect a big statistical year out of this East Tennessee junior quarterback. A big factor behind putting Jones this high is due to how much the team will be leaning on him to produce through the air but also on the ground with his legs. Jones is one of the top dual threat guys in the TN2027 class that has a chance to boost his stock significantly with a breakout junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1841387,"width":"239px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/wjones.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1841387" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'] - Oakland: </strong>Your reigning and defending 6A Mr. Football has to be on the top tier to potentially repeat but another big season must take place for Tutt to return to Nashville and bring the “Gold Ball” back home with him. The Patriots will be a balanced team but I still expect them to use Tutt a ton in their backfield while also starring on defense as one of their top tacklers. It won't be easy for Tutt to repeat as the competition is much tougher this year. I still think the Pats two-way talent will be in the mix by season's end with a shot at defending his honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1669050' first='Lawrence' last='Autry'] - Collierville: </strong>New to the Volunteer State for the 2025 season, the Dragons have a stud back to center their offense around in Autry, who has a shot at fighting for Mr. Football this season with a strong senior year. Autry will share the backfield with another but I still expect the future Tulane Green Wave running back to be the lead guy and be a force opposing defenses have a hard time bringing to the ground. The Dragons is a powerful and strong ball carrier that has the juice to find the open field. If he runs like I think he will, Autry should be in consideration for Mr. Football by season's end with a great shot at bringing home the “Gold Ball”.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola'] - Ravenwood: </strong>Babalola is a tough call to make for Mr. Football this year. I do think he will have a strong senior showing but he will also be sharing the backfield with another, so I don't know if the Raptors passer will have the numbers to be in consideration by season's end. His team success could be the factor that puts Babalola in the conversation. The Raptors are a strong option for 6A state champion this year. If Babalola can lead them to an undefeated or one loss regular season, I would not be surprised to see his name among the finalists at the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1150069' first='Matthew' last='Horner'] - Independence: </strong>Horner is my darkhorse for Mr. Football this season. The Eagles junior quarterback has vastly improved his skill set over the off-season to potentially put forth his best high school season yet. He will have a solid core of skill around him this Fall to help his cause along with an O-line that should keep him clean. Horner is a dual threat guy that runs well but also has a big arm to produce a lot of offensive yards through the air. If his Eagles team can win a bunch of games this season, I would not be surprised to see Horner among the semifinalists for Mr. Football this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] - Whitehaven: </strong>It was tough not giving the region preseason offensive player of the year honors to Talley but that doesn't mean he won't be in the conversation for Mr. Football. The Tigers lead ball carrier is a big play waiting to happen that might be difficult for opposing teams to slow down. If Talley goes off this year and produces at a high level, his Tigers team will be in the mix for a region title while placing him on the list for top individual honors. Most team's Whitehaven plays will be keying to stop Talley, so it won't be easy for him this year but I think this West TN back will play his into Mr. Football consideration.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='491463' first='Aiden' last='Perry'] - Science Hill: </strong>The Hilltoppers might be in-store for their best season in some time but guys like Perry have to perform at a high level for their team success to come true. I think it will as this Science Hill ball carrier might be ready to produce his best high school season yet and boost his college stock in a big way. Perry is one of the fastest backs in the state and I believe his offensive staff will put his talents on full display this year. It helps his cause having a star quarterback behind center too that will balance the offense, providing Perry a shot to become a star and be the catalyst towards a big 2025 year for the Toppers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1841388,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/matthorner.jpg?w=762" alt="" class="wp-image-1841388" style="width:247px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bottom Tier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1577633' first='Lane' last='Clement'] - Science Hill: </strong>If his Hilltoppers team had a stronger offensive line and a deeper receiving corps, Clement might have been added to our “Top Tier” list but he can work past all that due to his big arm and poise in the pocket. New to Tennessee for the Fall season, Clement has a shot at placing himself in the mix for Mr. Football with a big season. His Hilltoppers team is geared towards a possible region title and the team success will go a long way in hopes of Clement being considered for the top individual honor. I like how this guy spins the ball and if he performs like I think he will, Mr. Football can certainly be in the cards for Clement by the end of the regular season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='834613' first='Robert' last='Bailey'] - Shelbyville Central: </strong>I'm not sure if the Golden Eagles will be as successful as last year but I still think Bailey will have a big season and become a possibility to be in the conversation for Mr. Football. Bailey has had a very productive high school career and is coming off a 2,000 yard season as a junior. The Golden Eagles will definitely be leaning on his ground attack heavily this Fall, allowing their run game and Bailey to be their featured offensive scheme and weapon. I think landing among the finalists for Mr. Football is possible for Bailey but his team must win and be consistent throughout the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright'] - Green Hill: </strong>One of the sleepers in this article to contend for Mr. Football is this Mid-Tennessee junior that will finally be the featured back within the Hawks backfield. Cartwright is a fire plug with the ball in his hands that opposing defenders have a hard time dealing with due his powerful lower body and quickness. The Hawks junior may prove to be one of the more pure ball carriers we have in this state by season's end. I do see Green Hill putting forth a big year, so Cartwright can certainly be in the mix for Mr. Football with a breakout junior campaign and a successful season from the Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='800786' first='Tory' last='Beaufort'] - Maryville: </strong>New to the Rebels team for the 2025 season, Beaufort has a shot at putting forth a big senior year with Maryville as the team's top offensive weapon and playmaker. Versatile is one of the first things you notice about Beaufort and I expect the Rebels staff to utilize his versatility at both running back and receiver this year. His usage will be high this Fall, which means competing for Mr. Football is a definite possibility for Beaufort. I expect Maryville to be successful this year too, so keep eyes out on this playmaking senior to not only become the team's MVP but contend for Mr. Football as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Contenders: </strong>(QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] </strong>- Farragut, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1567420' first='Damillyan' last='Porter'] </strong>- Oak Ridge, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1281457' first='Tobja' last='Walters Jr']. </strong>- Oak Ridge, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353896' first='Jackson' last='Stroup'] </strong>- Gallatin, (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] </strong>- Antioch, (Edge) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='824735' first='Danny' last='Brown'] </strong>- Ravenwood, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1179088' first='Isaiah' last='Worles'] </strong>- Bartlett, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370886' first='Jaibriel' last='Bowers'] </strong>- Bartlett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1841389,"width":"322px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/rbailey2-crop-1355x890-1755754204.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1841389" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->