Five QBs Breaking Out In The 2025 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a great start to the Tennessee high school football season, with established players showcasing their abilities to college scouts, fans, and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those guys are great, but what excites me most is seeing players finally put it together and have breakout seasons. That's precisely what we're going to look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series examining five players per position, regardless of classification or age, who are having breakout seasons. We'll start with the quarterbacks, who have a plethora of guys you could point to, but I've narrowed them down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Antioch's [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] leads the way as he's always been good, but has taken the next step in becoming an elite player. The other four are all talented, but have had to wait their turns and are now thriving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925296} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Photo-Sep-19-2025-9-29-29-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1759440219-crop-797x523-1759440260-crop-796x522-1759440323.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925296" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton']. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'] – Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'] transferred to Riverdale from Ravenwood this offseason after sitting behind Boston College commit, [player_tooltip player_id='402540' first='Femi' last='Babalola']. His first game as a varsity quarterback was rough, as he threw four interceptions in a 20-6 loss to Knoxville Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since that horrific start to his career, the 2028 signal caller has been one of the best QBs in the state. He has led Riverdale to a 4-2 record, where they've scored 35 or more points in all but two of those games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's become extremely confident and poised in the pocket with good awareness, while being able to dissect a defense much better than he did a month ago. Hampton has a nice arm, good accuracy and can be mobile at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He looks to be one of the best QBs in Tennessee over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925312} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-06-28-PM-crop-1319x867-1759440617-crop-800x525-1759440677.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925312" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. Taken by Braiden Headley, Bheadley_photography.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] – Melrose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melrose quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] saw limited time as a freshman, totaling 1,162 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games at Olive Branch High School in Mississippi. He transferred to Melrose and has been highly productive and efficient for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In six games this season, he's racked up 1,298 passing yards and 15 touchdowns to three interceptions, while running for 215 yards and five more scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a true dual-threat quarterback who can do it all for his team, hence why they sit at 5-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heffner features a strong and accurate arm, especially on deep throws, where he excels. He won't run too much but has the mobility to keep plays alive and take off if necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925315} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-12-12-PM-1-crop-1197x786-1759440184-crop-800x525-1759440750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925315" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams']. Taken by Austyn Day, Allday Media.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] – Antioch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] is a guy who's been around the block for a minute. He's undoubtedly one of the more experienced quarterbacks in Tennessee, but he has been fantastic in his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Antioch's signal caller has put up video game numbers all year, especially his record-breaking game in week 5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 QB put up 714 total yards, a state record, and six touchdowns in a 54-40 win over Centennial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's the definition of a dual-threat player, but he is a pass-first guy who's posted a 151.4 QB rating. Adams is highly accurate, has a good arm, a nice feel for the pocket, great legs and has exceptional awareness on the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925329} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-12-12-PM-2-crop-1080x710-1759439925-crop-800x525-1759441134.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925329" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1588108' first='Jour'din' last='Shelton']. Germantown Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1588108' first='Jour'din' last='Shelton'] – Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588108' first='Jour'din' last='Shelton'] is another sophomore quarterback who's taken the next step and looks like one of the better players in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's an accurate passer while having nice touch on his throws and a good deep ball. Shelton has confidence and poise in the pocket, showing he's not afraid to have the ball in his hands every down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he's a productive passer, Shelton can also hurt you with his legs. He's fast and elusive, but also is a smart runner who knows how to do it the right way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are certainly some things you'd like to see him improve on, but he's just a sophomore. Shelton has already established himself as one of the top QBs in Tennessee, and that's why he's on my list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1925332} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-09-55-PM-crop-1293x849-1759439864-crop-800x525-1759441318.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925332" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins']. Taken by 615 Preps.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] – Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] had to sit behind now-Tennessee Volunteer quarterback George MacIntyre, but earned the starting job in 2025 and has been impressive. Not only is he having personal success, but Brentwood Academy is 5-0 for the first time since 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins is a smart player who shows everything you want in a quarterback, with pocket awareness, the ability to read a defense and quick instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 player possesses elite accuracy and good touch on his passes, while being able to make every necessary throw. Coming into his junior year, people thought he would be good, but not quite this productive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins has certainly exceeded expectations and has another year to develop before moving on to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->