Preseason X-Factors: Collierville Football 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">After a few off-season additions to go along with a solid senior class, the Dragons look to be the favorite to win their region this season as well as compete for a potential state title. If Collierville is to be that good and perform like we think they will, these X-Factors below must play at a high level each and every week! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There has been a lot of winning with the Collierville Dragons over the past several years and I expect that to continue throughout the coming season. What the 2026 Fall campaign could be for the Dragons is a run after a region title and a potential state championship. Looking at their roster, Collierville is loaded with talent, especially several future Power Four guys that can be difference makers, X-Factors! I fully expect the Dragons to sit at the top of 6A rankings and potentially be the best football team coming out of the greater Memphis area this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top X-Factors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='905003' first='Brayden' last='Santibanez']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ranked as our 3rd best quarterback from the TN2027 class, Santibanez is not just an X-Factor but a game changer that has the abilities to take over a game and help achieve victories for his Dragons football team. Santibanez has some of the best arm talent in the state while also being one of the top dual threat quarterbacks within our senior class. His combination of athleticism, arm strength and size makes the future Iowa quarterback tough to handle, especially when he is on the move. If this senior signal caller can put everything together this Fall when it comes to his potential, Santibanez is the kind of guy that can lead his team to titles, even competing for a state championship. It should be fun to see how this Memphis area quarterback performs this season because I see a ton of potential with Santibanez.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2219870,"width":"301px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/bsantibanez-crop-1152x757-1780175043.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2219870" style="width:301px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='378893' first='Larry' last='Johnson III']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Johnson heads into the 2026 season as a top ten ranked running back in our senior class and it's for a reason. This Memphis area product sports next level abilities and the skill set to become the Dragons lead ball carrier due to his combination of contact balance and strength as well as some of the best footwork in the state. Johnson is a tough running back to deal with because he isn't the tallest guy but he is compact and strong which allows him to find open creases then bounce off tacklers into open space. Where this uncommitted ball carrier can be an X-Factor is in the red zone where his size and strength could produce a bevy of touchdowns. Johnson will be sharing the backfield with another but I can see him taking the most carries while being the Dragons top red zone option.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1285495' first='Tae' last='Walden, Jr']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The top target out wide for Santibanez this season is this two-way playmaker that looks to be the Dragons ultimate X-Factor because how Walden performs, his team tends to do well. Ranked as the PRZTN 4th best receiver prospect, Walden brings big play abilities to both sides of the ball but especially on offense where his athleticism, size and speed become problems for opposing defenders. The Dragons senior does a lot of his damage beating defensive backs deep or taking short gains and turning them into long plays. His speed is a game changer but so are his hands that flash in the red zone. I fully expect Walden to get his fair share of offensive touches and be the go-to guy out wide the Dragons will need to create big plays and be a difference maker against top tier competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/collierville/" id="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/collierville/">#PRZTN Collierville Team Page</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1310642' first='Antwan' last='Jackson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Out of all the prospects on the Dragons roster, nobody has more next level potential and upside than this talented edge rusher that has some of the best college programs in pursuit. Jackson transferred to Collierville from White Station in the off-season to give the Dragons a difference maker on defense that has all sorts of X-Factor abilities. Standing 6 '6 245 pounds, Jackson has the physical tools along with an outstanding initial burst with bend and speed around the edge to cause fits for opposing offensive tackles. He has the talent to be a game changer and help provide a key piece towards possibly giving Collierville one of the best defenses in the state for the 2026 season. It should be fun to watch this cause havoc and put the Dragons in contention for a 6A title this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1703375' first='Braylon' last='Warren']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Dragons have a shot at sporting one of the top defensive line units in the state this Fall but to make that happen, this senior defensive tackle must perform at a high level. Warren is a strong, physical lane plugger that will be the Dragons key cog up front in stuffing the run. His physicality in the trenches and ability to play against the run can be a major X-Factor this Fall in hopes of making opposing offenses one dimensional. Warren is a deceptively good athlete too that can provide the occasional pass rush. One area where the Dragons big man can improve is his explosion and foot speed. If he can enhance those two areas, Warren can turn into not just a run plugger but a disruptive force that constantly plays in the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2123295,"width":"190px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.6005963865988423","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/bwarren.jpg?w=615" alt="" class="wp-image-2123295" style="aspect-ratio:0.6005963865988423;width:190px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Other X-Factor Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1684759' first='Dillan' last='Vaughn']: </strong>Part of a two-headed monster in the Dragons backfield, Vaughn is an athletic ball carrier that displays next level upside but has yet to fulfill his potential. I think he can do that this Fall with increased agility, mass and speed. If Vaughn does that, not only will his recruiting stock soar but he will become an X-Factor on the Dragons offense. Vaughn could become the big play back Collierville needs this season to push them over the hill and into the 6A title game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1293357' first='Brayden' last='Washington']: </strong>A new addition to the Dragons front line, Washington is a versatile piece that could handle tackle, guard or center but will probably man the outside this Fall. This 6 '4 mauler, who is ranked inside our “Top 50” prospects, has a certain mean streak and physical prowess about him that could pay off big in helping the Dragons put forth a potent rushing attack. Everything starts up front and if Washington plays at a high level, Collierville may be 6A title legit this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1675675' first='Christian' last='Coleman']: </strong>This guy is the biggest mystery for Collierville headed into the 2026 season. Coleman has all the physical tools to become a D1, potential Power Four guy but he has spent a lot of focus on basketball, so his name isn't heavy in the football recruiting scene at the moment. It appears that he will be back on the gridiron this season and if he performs at a high level, Coleman won't only be an X-Factor player but someone that can boost his recruiting stock significantly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Contributors: </strong>(LB) <strong>Landon Kitchen</strong>, ‘28 (OG) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2214335' first='Robert' last='Austin']</strong>, ‘28 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570536' first='Monterrio' last='Sarden']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2219874,"width":"265px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/dvaughn.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2219874" style="width:265px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->