Building the Perfect Quarterback in Tennessee Football: DII-AAA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talented passers, especially in Division II-AAA. 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>In this new 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>Next in the series, we have Division II-AAA quarterbacks. 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":2237707} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Photo-Jun-29-2026-3-52-06-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2237707" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie QB [player_tooltip player_id='1362634' first='Louis' last='Fortier'] before a game. Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Frame: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1362634' first='Louis' last='Fortier'] – McCallie School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee, there are plenty of quarterbacks with good size. However, the obvious choice for this category is [player_tooltip player_id='1362634' first='Louis' last='Fortier'] from McCallie. The rising junior is an absolute tank for his position, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The signal caller offers a strong body with long arms, plenty of muscle and a thick frame. He is the unanimous choice, as not many college quarterbacks even have that build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2220239} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-16-2026-7-19-27-PM-crop-1320x867-1780255158.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2220239" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic QB [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew']. Taken by @865flics on Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Mobility: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] – Knoxville Catholic High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next on the list, we have mobility. Once again, there were several student-athletes that I could have chosen for this, but [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] stands out as the No. 1 option. He's one of the most underrated quarterbacks in his class with a strong skill set, highlighted by his ability to move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartholomew is a speedy player who uses his legs well in a multitude of ways. He is a legitimate threat to produce in the run game, extends plays, maneuvers the pocket well and can buy himself time to throw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2237706} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Photo-Jun-29-2026-3-46-53-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2237706" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor QB [player_tooltip player_id='939950' first='Keegan' last='Croucher'] on his official visit to Ole Miss. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Arm Talent: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='939950' first='Keegan' last='Croucher'] – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baylor's [player_tooltip player_id='939950' first='Keegan' last='Croucher'] is the No. 1 quarterback in Tennessee and the clear-cut top dog in this classification. He's an excellent all-around player, but his arm talent separates him from most of the competition nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Rivals/status/2061147681729171467?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Rivals/status/2061147681729171467?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior possesses a strong arm, terrific accuracy, throws with anticipation, can layer his passes well and has proven to be excellent at completing balls off-balance. He committed to Ole Miss in the offseason, where he should go on to have a standout career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1642168} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/caydixon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1642168" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Briarcrest QB [player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Processing: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] – Briarcrest Christian School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1036114' first='Cayden' last='Dixon'] is back at Briarcrest after playing his sophomore season with Father Ryan, where he was good, but needed to be in a better system that fits his style. That said, I've chosen him for the processing aspect of playing quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has some of the best football instincts in Tennessee and reads defenses accurately. Dixon also makes quick decisions and has a terrific feel for the field. The rising junior throws with excellent anticipation and is a student of the game, which is why he excels in this area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058517} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-09-55-PM-crop-1056x693-1763530174.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058517" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy QB [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins']. Taken by 615 Preps.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Mechanics: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] – Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood Academy quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] was one of the most underrated players in Tennessee before having a breakthrough in recruiting. He committed to Ole Miss in May, with one last year of high school ball before he moves to the collegiate game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2052148830989094940?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2052148830989094940?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins' mechanics are polished with excellent throwing motions and nice footwork. He's a fluid thrower of the football, has good follow-through and impressive acceleration. He is a standout player all around and is one of the top candidates for the 2026 Mr. Football award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->