Preseason X-Factors: Tyner Academy Football

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finding prospects you can trust to produce and play consistent football week in and week out is tough to do but luckily for the Rams, they return plenty of X-Factor quality players for the upcoming 2026 season that can relied upon. Here we run down the top guys to keep track of throughout the Fall for what could be a special year for Tyner Academy.</h2>     - The Rams just barely missed out on competing for the 3A title last season but could find themselves in the same position this Fall as several key players from last year's squad returns. There are plenty of X-Factor level prospects on the Rams roster this year and multiple guys that are highly talented with Power Four programs in pursuit. Looking at everyone the Rams bring back for the 2026 season, I have to think they are one of the main contenders to find themselves in Chattanooga for the 3A title along with a few guys positioned to compete for Mr. Football.    Top X-Factors   #TN2028 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy']   - McNealy has been producing for two years now as a full time player but he might be headed towards his best season yet, especially if he is given the lead role at running back and he shines like I think he can. I do expect McNealy to share the backfield but ultimately, this junior ball carrier should be the lead guy due to his running style and threat to create big plays. The Rams two-way prospect, who looks to play a key role at linebacker, is a definite X-Factor player this Fall that could be a catalyst in the team's hope at competing for a 3A championship. I can even see McNealy competing for Mr. Football but that all depends on how much he gets the ball and how much he produces on both sides of the ball.    - - - - -    #TN2027 (OT) [player_tooltip player_id='1592127' first='Carmello' last='Peoples']   - The Rams could have a high scoring, explosive offense this Fall football year but nothing will work unless the offensive line performs at a high level. That's why Peoples is an X-Factor player this season because if he sets the tone up front and plays well, the Rams might become one of the better teams not just on the 3A level but the entire East Tennessee region. Peoples will need help up front but he is the lead guy on the O-line that many others will look to as an example on how to perform. Currently committed to Western Ky, this 6 '6 big man has more work to do when it comes to developing his overall game but the raw tools are there to be a dominating lineman this Fall that helps the Rams earn championships.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/cpeoples2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2235603" style="width:260px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #TN2028 (S/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1565851' first='Antonio' last='Edwards']   - The top college prospect on the Rams roster is this junior two-way playmaker that holds offers from some of the best programs in the country and some of the best overall talent coming out of the greater Chattanooga area. Edwards could be considered the top X-Factor player on the Rams team this coming season that must play at a high level each and every week for his squad to have a successful season. His ability to create big plays on offense while being a ball hawk from his safety position will be important this season and by accounts from his off-season work, Edwards looks primed for a breakout junior year. I could also see the Rams staff using Edwards in the return game as well to simply put the ball in his hands as much as possible.    - - - - -    #TN2028 (WR/Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2132918' first='Karontae'' last='Cunningham']   - Cunningham has burst onto the scene in a big way this off-season where he has landed some high level offers, which means much is expected from this junior playmaker to perform at a high level and bring those X-Factor abilities to the field each and every week. The Rams junior two-way performer could be one of the fastest prospects from our TN2028 class that is hard to handle with the ball in his hands. I expect Cunningham to be used out of the slot this season but on reverses and in the return game as well due to his breakaway speed. The Rams playmaker will play a big part in the team's success this season and if he performs well, I could see Cunningham becoming a sleeper candidate for Class 3A Mr. Football.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/kcunningham.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2235605" style="width:222px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    #TN2027 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='2235589' first='Ja'Marien' last='Crawl']   - The Rams are having to replace several key starters up front from last year's region title team, so the staff will be looking for new guys to step forward and take on leadership roles. Crawl is the first guy to mind that has a chance to breakthrough with a monster senior year and force more college programs to look his way. What this senior defender brings to the field is pass rushing and the ability to wreck havoc in the opponent's backfield. The Rams senior could provide edge setting versus the run, which is something he will see a ton within the 3A ranks. Crawl has the height, length and athletic upside to put forth his best season yet and if he does so, he won't just be an X-Factor player but an impactful one that propels himself to the next level.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/tyner-academy/" id="https://prepredzone.com/team/tn/tyner-academy/">PRZTN Tyner Academy Team Page</a>   - - - - -    Three Other X-Factor Players to Watch   ‘27 (QB/Ath) Marcus Turner: All signs point towards Turner running the show at quarterback this season and it will be interesting to see how things play out as this will be his lone year handling duties behind center. It's unclear as to how Turner will perform this Fall, so he is a definite X-Factor player in my book that could be a catalyst that pushes the Rams over the top and into the 3A title game. He simply needs to do his job and not turn the ball over as Turner has plenty of weapons around him to succeed.    ‘27 (RB/LB) Jurwon Hubbard: If there is a sleeper player to keep track of this Fall, it may be this two-way prospect that should contribute a ton at both running back and linebacker. Hubbard is an athletic, talented player that displays next level upside carrying the ball but he will be sharing the backfield with McNealy. I see Hubbard being the power back and short yardage ball carrier on offense while being a key run stuffing linebacker on defense. His versatility is what mainly stands out but also his physical game play as well.    ‘27 (WR/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1881268' first='Jadarius' last='Hinton']: New to the Rams for the 2026 season, Hinton could develop into one of the bigger X-Factor players this Fall, especially due to his importance on both sides of the ball. Sporting good physical size, Hinton has the skill set to be a playmaker for his Rams team both at receiver and in the secondary at safety. I think he will be most needed on defense where Hinton can make plays in pass coverage while also providing strong action in run support.    Key Contributors: ‘29 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='2220082' first='Caleb' last='Green'], (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2164961' first='Kilon' last='White'], ‘29 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='2112085' first='Marius' last='Turner']    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/E1C221E7-BE77-4994-8B17-D6E0416CE804-crop-1639x1076-1761184847.jpeg?w=800" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='1881268' first='Jadarius' last='Hinton'] (Pic by: Caleb Sisk/@CalebSisk_" class="wp-image-1972230" style="width:310px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1881268' first='Jadarius' last='Hinton'] (Pic by: Caleb Sisk/@CalebSisk_</figcaption></figure>