Season Recap: Top Standout Freshmen

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking back on the 2025 season, several new freshmen competitors jumped on the scene to establish themselves as not only starters but key impact players as well. Who were the guys that stood out the most? We got you covered here with our top ten freshmen performers from this past Fall football season. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='424644' first='Kam' last='Morton'] - Oakland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sharing the backfield with a veteran this Fall, Morton held his own as a first year starter and even emerged as the team's top quarterback by season's end. The Patriots freshman provided some passing to a run based offense this year that allowed Oakland to become more balanced. Morton threw for 936 yards on 67 completions this past season while tossing for 9 touchdowns and scoring another 3 on 127 yards rushing. The numbers may not be large but Morton displayed excellent potential as the future behind center for Oakland and someone worth scouting as the years go on. I see some college upside with this guy but we have tons of time remaining for Morton to develop his game much further while continuing to grow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1633788' first='Kohbe' last='Ward'] - Concord Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Lions were set to be a young team for the Fall season, so they decided to build up their youth and one guy who really took advantage of being a starter was Ward. This freshman signal caller had the most productive season of all freshman quarterbacks in the state with 1,848 yards passing along with 19 touchdowns and 4 picks. Ward is still undersized and growing into his body but the raw passing tools were on display this Fall as he showed poised, precision passing that should only get better over time. His maturity this past season along with his dual threat abilities were most impressive to me. Plenty of work and time in the weight room is needed but I see upside here with Ward and a bright future with his Lions team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2088855,"width":"318px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/kward-crop-1152x757-1766562445.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2088855" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (RB) Ajabeon Stinson - GCA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We could be looking at a future Mr. Football candidate here with Stinson! Stepping into a starting role this Fall after the Rams star back went down with injury, Stinson more than handled himself but showed tremendous potential and a bright future in the GCA backfield. For the 2025 season, Stinson ended the year running for 1,444 yards on 196 carries while producing 16 touchdowns. That's a solid year for any grade, so to do this as a freshman shows maturity and talent. Stinson isn't the biggest of backs but he makes up for it with elusive movements and speed. If he can live in the weight room and build his strength, Stinson has a chance to become a top back in this state over time with player of the year possibilities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1621991' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] - Concord Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ward wasn't the only freshman in the Lions backfield that had a strong debut season. This freshman running back burst onto the scene near halfway through the season where Smith ended the year running for 1,185 yards and 15 touchdowns. His athleticism and speed out of the backfield proved to be a game changer for his Lions offense that also provided balance. The ability to get into open space and breakaway from tacklers proved to be difficult for defenses to stop. Smith is still only a freshman, so plenty of growth is yet to come but the raw athletic tools are in-place to be the Lions top back for the next three years while also eventually forming himself into a college prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1537396' first='Maddox' last='Porter'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Nobody from our in-state freshman class had a bigger impact than this Mid-Tennessee wideout that became a key offensive piece this Fall on his team's D2-Class AA championship run. Porter already sports college size and a mature outlook of his game from running proper routes to his willingness to block. For his debut season, the Wildcats pass catcher produced 1,547 yards on 78 receptions while scoring 27 touchdowns. That kind of production is something you usually see from a veteran star and not a true freshman. The future is very bright for Porter and college coaches are already hot on his trail. The Wildcats receiver does need to continue working on his explosion and quickness but the size and natural pass catching tools are in place to become one of the top offensive prospects in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (WR) Cordarius Bobo - Oakhaven</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2025 season was a banner year for Oakhaven where the Hawks sported one of the better offensive units on the 1A level and a big reason for that was the play of Bobo. This freshman wideout burst onto the scene in a big way last Fall where Bobo led the Hawks in receiving at 984 yards on 43 receptions while scoring 14 touchdowns. His athleticism and explosive game play out wide proved to be a difference maker for his Hawks offense this year and someone that the coaching staff can build around over the next three years. Bobo does need to get bigger and stronger to fill out his smaller frame but looking at someone fitted for the slot, the Hawks receiver has the skill set to excel in college one day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2088861,"width":"196px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/cbobo.jpg?w=414" alt="" class="wp-image-2088861" style="width:196px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Playing alongside several strong veteran receivers, Tritch pushed his way onto the field this Fall due to his athleticism, route running and speed and the Warriors freshman eventually became one of the team's top overall pass catchers. It was a strong debut season for Tritch and a peek towards the future as possibly one of the best slot prospects in the state. The Warriors receiver ended the 2025 campaign producing 714 yards on 48 receptions while scoring 7 touchdowns, including several clutch scores within some big time games. This guy is a great option for the slot that already sports a mature skill set and the willingness to work. There is a lot to like about Tritch and his upside over the next three years and into the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1218739' first='Barrett' last='Hudson'] - Eagleville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>Even though this big man comes from the lowest classification level of TNHSFB, Hudson has a chance to become one of the best O-linemen in the state from his freshman class. Sporting good size with a nice frame, Hudson is an athletic blocker that started every game this past season and nearly dominated every opponent he came across. If you watch his film, you see someone that gets off the snap well and consistently drives his man to the second level. Hudson has the skills to remain at tackle moving forward and into the college game one day but could also grow into an interior blocker as well. More time is needed developing his body and increasing his knowledge but his freshman definitely showed upside and Hudson as a prospect to watch over the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1871050,"width":"211px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7751798883884513","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/bhudson.webp?w=793" alt="" class="wp-image-1871050" style="aspect-ratio:0.7751798883884513;width:211px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1721153' first='Bruno' last='Prater'] - Friendship Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Commanders had to lean on several freshmen and newcomers this year, including Prater, who ended up becoming one of the top tacklers from the FCS defense. Standing 6 '1 200 plus pounds, Prater already has the physical build needed for the college game and he still has three years remaining in high school to build his body and his game. For his debut season, Prater generated 85 total tackles with 15 of them for loss, 2 sacks and one forced fumble. Having that kind of production as a freshman speaks towards his impact moving forward. Prater has the makings of a defensive leader for his FCS team and a prospect that has the game play and physical tools to have a long football career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1704501' first='Kylan' last='Simmons'] - Memp. Biz. Academy&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Whether it was on offense or defense, Simmons made a major impact this Fall season and established himself as one of the best overall prospects on the Execs football team. This freshman two-way talent became the team's top secondary player and one of the best playmakers on offense that should continue to excel on both sides of the ball moving forward. For his freshman season, Simmons produced 707 yards receiving on 33 receptions while scoring 8 times. He also had a banner year in the defensive backfield where he generated 30 tackles with 3 of them for a loss and a Class 2A leading 9 interceptions. It will be hard to replicate this kind of season but Simmons looks equipped to try and develop into one of the better “athletes” coming from the 2029 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Impact Freshmen: </strong>(RB) <strong>Julius Carter</strong> - Fairview, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams']</strong> - Antioch, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031934' first='Dasani' last='Moulden']</strong> - Concord Chrst., (DT) <strong>Syr'Javion Reed</strong> - Westwood, (LB) <strong>Connor Begley</strong> - Volunteer, (DB) <strong>Tristan Dorsey</strong> - Westwood, (DB) <strong>Ty Puhr</strong> - Providence Acad., (DB) <strong>Lenardo Knox Jr.</strong> - Oakhaven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2088862,"width":"261px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/bprater.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2088862" style="width:261px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->