Preseason X-Factors: Springfield Football

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have pre-season buzz this coming season for the Yellow Jackets as a top tier ball club that should be competing for titles. Looking at their roster, they have several high caliber players that we expect to show up and show out this Fall but be major X-Factors within their team's success. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The 2025 season saw these Yellow Jackets win their region and reach the semifinals of the 4A playoffs and maybe that was just a taste for what is to come this Fall football year. Springfield returns several key contributors, including a few stars back from last year's squad to put themselves at the top of the list as contenders for the 2026 Class 4A state title. If the Yellow Jackets are to compete for championships, these X-Factor players below must perform at a high level and do so on a consistent basis.&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='1588080' first='Kason' last='Woodson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There may be others that have more upside for the college game but Woodson is the most important player on the Springfield roster going into the 2026 season. This is the team's quarterback, their team leader, their engine that runs the show. Woodson is a gamer that tends to make winning plays, doing so with both his arm and his legs. His X-Factor abilities are critical towards the Yellow Jackets success and if he performs well this coming Fall season, Woodson will be competing for 4A Mr. Football as well as putting his Springfield team in contention for a region and possible state title. Putting forth a strong senior year might also boost his stock and gain more recruiting attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (TE) [player_tooltip player_id='2047637' first='Bryce' last='Baldwin']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Potentially the team's top offensive target and pass catcher, Baldwin is a versatile performer that does a little bit of everything, which makes him very important towards the team's overall success. The Yellow Jackets senior flex tight end is a tremendous blocker that plays a physical brand of football that really stands out to me but Baldwin is also a good athlete too that can catch passes from a variety of positions. Springfield wants to run the ball first before anything else, which makes Baldwin important with his blocking but when they want to spin it, his ability to be a safety blanket comes in handy, especially on key downs and situations. I'm a big fan of how this guy plays and brings his lunchpail to each and every game, which will be a key trait for the Yellow Jackets throughout the 2026 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2197706,"width":"226px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/bbaldwin.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2197706" style="width:226px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2027 (LB) Barrett Reynolds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Yellow Jackets doesn't have a ton of athleticism or size inside their defensive front seven but they have a few high end competitors like Reynolds, who will lead from his linebacker position where he should provide excellent play versus the run. This senior defender does his best work close to the line as a physical, smart tackler that consistently plays hard and gives max effort. Where Reynolds can become an X-Factor is doing more work sideline to sideline or in pass coverage. If he can increase his agility and athleticism, the Yellow Jackets can become a more disruptive force that makes plays away from the line of scrimmage. If any team wants to win championships, they must be good on defense and Springfield has a chance to be stout defensively, especially if Reynolds performs at a high level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2028 (DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Cobbins is an elite talent that handles featured roles on both sides of the ball as the team's top playmaker. The Yellow Jackets rising junior might be considered the state's top overall prospect for the TN2028 class and that's due to his natural athletic abilities, explosive game play and lockdown coverage on defense. His health this season is critical towards the Yellow Jackets achieving their lofty goals. If Cobbins is on the field the majority of the time, against most teams Springfield faces, they will be the favorites to win. He is that good and very important to his team. I expect this Mid-Tennessee program to be in the mix for the 4A title this season and a big reason why is Cobbins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/springfield/" id="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/springfield/">#PRZTN Springfield Team Page</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#TN2028 (S) [player_tooltip player_id='2219922' first='Amarion' last='Leavell']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Mid-Tennessee rising junior is a hidden gem that I think can play his way into D1 status by the end of the 2026 season. Leavell is an athletic, fluid mover on the back end that displays excellent range and ball hawk tendencies that translate well to the next level. Whether that's reading the pass, playing centerfield or coming up in run support, Leavell does a nice job of finding the ball and getting into the action. He does need to keep getting bigger while increasing his explosive game play but I like the upside with this Springfield junior. Many don't know about Leavell right now as others get the attention but watching his film, I see a legit ball player that may end up being one of the bigger impactful, X-Factor players on the Yellow Jackets team this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2220303,"width":"229px","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/aleavell.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2220303" style="width:229px;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>(RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1898598' first='Cameron' last='Wilson']: </strong>A two-way starter that could be taking over the lead role at running back this season, Wilson is a key senior component on the Yellow Jackets roster that should be an impactful player on both sides of the ball. An active, high motor player at linebacker, Wilson may end up being one of the more important defensive players for Springfield this Fall when it comes to competing for titles. If he takes over the lead role at running back, Wilson will become even more critical towards the team's success.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR/DB) J.J. Adams: </strong>This guy could be a true X-Factor for the Yellow Jackets as Adams is an unknown after sitting out last season. Standing 6 '1 with good length and a wide radius, Adams could become a major contributor on both sides of the ball this season with possibly his biggest impact coming on offense. His size and ball skills could be a nice addition on the outside where Adams could haul in a lot of passes as teams try to focus on slowing down Cobbins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1598546' first='Dakota' last='Bedwell']: </strong>Returning this Fall as the team's top two-way lineman, Bedwell will be expected to lead up front and compete at a high level in hopes of achieving ultimate glory. That's championships and if the Yellow Jackets are competing for them, Bedwell will be an X-Factor in the trenches. The O-line around him appears to be young this season, so Bedwell will be asked to lead but also perform above his head to help put victories in the win column.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Contributors: </strong>(FB/HB) <strong>Deyon Payne</strong>, (DT/OL) <strong>Keeylan Chatman</strong>, ‘29 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2087334' first='Brendan' last='Jones']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1898637,"width":"251px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/dbedwell.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1898637" style="width:251px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->