Building the Perfect Quarterback in Tennessee HS Football: DII-AA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talented quarterbacks, especially in Division II-AA. From arm strength and accuracy to mobility and football IQ, several standout signal callers bring unique traits to the field each Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this Prep Redzone scouting series, I'm building the ultimate player at every position and classification by combining the best size, skills, traits and intangibles from top prospects across the state. There's just one rule: each player can be used only once, unless necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series, I'm doing Division II-AA signal callers. By blending the best qualities of five different playmakers, I've created the blueprint for the perfect quarterback in this classification heading into the 2026 Tennessee football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2215933} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/45-Corbin-Hobson-crop-1060x696-1779733749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2215933" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA (Knox) QB [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Frame: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] – Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] transferred into Grace Christian Academy in Knox. for his senior season, adding a legitimate game changer at quarterback for a team littered with high-level talent on both sides of the football. He does several things well, but I'm using his frame for this article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 215 pounds in a lean, athletic frame that allows him to maintain his movement but also take contact. Hobson is well-built with a nice bit of strength, giving him a college-ready build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2146225} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/jnimitz-crop-2048x1345-1772820601.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2146225" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037670' first='Jack' last='Nimitz']. Taken by Drew Toennies, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Mobility: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1037670' first='Jack' last='Nimitz'] – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1037670' first='Jack' last='Nimitz'] had an interesting story last season with FRA. He did not begin the campaign as the starter, but was brought in at halftime against Battle Ground Academy and did not look back. He's a dual-threat quarterback with high upside, but in this article, I'm focusing on his mobility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior is very quick and twitchy, which helps him on the run or just buying time behind the line of scrimmage. He's one of the most elusive signal callers in Tennessee, regardless of classification. Nimitz is elite at extending plays or picking up vital first downs with his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- 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: Lausanne QB [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. Taken by Braiden Headley, Bheadley_photography</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Arm Talent: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] – Lausanne Collegiate School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] was one of the big breakout players last season at Melrose before announcing his transfer to Lausanne. The rising junior enters 2026 as the clear-cut No. 1 signal caller in this classification with the potential to be a blue-chip recruit because of his impressive arm talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 prospect possesses a strong arm with the ability to layer his throws and put excellent touch on all his passes. His accuracy is second to none in Division II-AA, especially on his deep balls. A lot of quarterbacks struggle in that area, but he is one of the best chunk play guys in the state of Tennessee. Heffner's velocity is nice, allowing him to fit passes into tight windows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2146231} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-06-2026-12-11-49-PM-crop-1320x867-1772820827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2146231" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Silverdale QB [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Processing: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] – Silverdale Baptist Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silverdale's [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] is an intriguing quarterback prospect who has gotten significantly better each offseason, including this past cycle, in which he's vastly improved in several areas heading into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He looks more polished, especially with his processing. Jenne looks to have taken that next step forward in that area, looking excellent in 7-on-7 with DGA Flight Squad. The 2027 prospect has quick processing skills, good vision that allows him to see all of his reads and a quick trigger to fire passes exactly when he needs to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2146235} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-06-2026-12-16-30-PM-crop-1320x867-1772821167.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2146235" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA QB [player_tooltip player_id='2161201' first='Bo' last='Bryan'] against FRA. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Mechanics: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2161201' first='Bo' last='Bryan'] – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2161201' first='Bo' last='Bryan'] has been one of the most talked-about quarterbacks this offseason, as the successor to Mr. Football winner and Columbia signee Kaedyn Marable. Many people have different opinions about the signal caller, but he's objectively a good player. I don't think he's going to be a superstar, but Bryan is a good facilitator and has the tools to lead BGA back to the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 prospect is fluid, with nice follow-through and good acceleration. He also has solid footwork and pocket technique. It's part of what makes him a good player, and it ties everything together to make the ultimate signal caller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->