Defensive Standouts from the East-West All-Star Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East-West All-Star Game took place at Austin Peay's campus on Saturday, where some of the top talent in the state gathered for one final event of the year. Team East came out on top 22-16, but there were studs on both sidelines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm breaking down my five defensive standouts from the game and discussing what they did.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1879185} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/addavis.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1879185" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman safety [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis']. Photo by Blackman Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'] – Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'] had a breakout campaign in 2025, leading to him earning six Division I offers and his eventual signing to UT-Chattanooga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blackman defensive back had one final shot to leave his mark against high school competition at the East-West All-Star Game, and he did just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis only had a handful of tackles, but played excellent coverage to keep Team West from hitting deep shots. He also blocked a kick early in the game, which set the tone for how the afternoon would unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1647258} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/kleague.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1647258" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pearl-Cohn LB [player_tooltip player_id='1432204' first='Karmelo' last='League']. Photo by Pearl-Cohn Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1432204' first='Karmelo' last='League'] – Pearl-Cohn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uncommitted linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1432204' first='Karmelo' last='League'] is one of the most underrated players in the state, but he had a good senior season with the Firebirds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was an animal on defense in the East-West All-Star Game, totaling a team-leading nine tackles, including a pair of big ones that stopped Team East from hitting chunk plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's well built with speed and explosiveness all over the field and the versatility to play multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>League is mainly a middle linebacker, but can also walk up and play edge rusher/defensive end. He's excellent when rushing the quarterback and is also effective against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2072369} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/mmays.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2072369" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marion County LB [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays']. Photo by Marion County Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] – Marion County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion County's [player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] had a solid day at the annual Tennessee All-Star Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He racked up six tackles, which was tied for second on the team that day. However, he made some of the biggest plays of the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mays made multiple tackles to keep Team West from creating a big play, then he iced the game at the end with a strip sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If somebody else on his side didn't go nuclear, we would likely be talking about the uncommitted Marion County linebacker as the Defensive MVP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2082281} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_5748.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2082281" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Smyrna DL [player_tooltip player_id='1282327' first='Jerry' last='Martin']. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone Tennessee</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1282327' first='Jerry' last='Martin'] III – Smyrna</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1282327' first='Jerry' last='Martin'] III from Smyrna continues to show everybody why he is one of the top defensive players in Tennessee, even though he's going heavily under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-1, 265-pound senior had a big day on Saturday, earning Defensive MVP for his six-tackle, two-sack performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin III typically plays on the interior, but can jump outside to defensive end if necessary, and he'll still dominate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't express how much of a steal this young man is going to be for the program that lands him. He's strong, physical, possesses good technique, plays with a high motor and is a strong-character individual.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2082940} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-15-2025-10-21-59-AM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2082940" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman DL Tremel Johnson. Photo from his X/Twitter @TremelJ23.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Tremel Johnson – Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior defensive lineman Tremel Johnson had a good day against Team West, leading his squad with eight tackles, one being for a loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays that defensive end spot, where he's one of the better players in the Midstate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he's undersized but makes up for it with his high motor and quickness off the edge. He's a productive player who has the frame to fill out when a school picks him up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->