Top 5 Class 5A Quarterbacks in Tennessee: 2026 Scouting Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talent heading into the 2026 season, and the 5A group is packed with standout offensive playmakers. As summer approaches, several guys are emerging as top prospects to watch in Tennessee high school football recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this scouting series breaking down the top football players by position and classification, here's an in-depth look at the top five 5A quarterbacks in Tennessee entering the 2026 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2115092} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/cnewman-e1781629414256.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2115092" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sevier County QB [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] before a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] – Sevier County High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1142902' first='Cooper' last='Newman'] has been one of the top quarterbacks in Tennessee since stepping into a starting role at Sevier County as a freshman. Over his three seasons with the Smokey Bears, Newman has racked up 9,217 total yards with 117 touchdowns and a 131.7 QB rating. The rising senior committed to UConn in the offseason, but has one year of high school before moving up to the collegiate game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Coopernewman7/status/2064376992120651872?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/Coopernewman7/status/2064376992120651872?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good size for his position, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds with a well-built frame. Newman has some of the best arm talent and accuracy in the ‘27 class, with his ability to make every throw. He has solid arm strength, impressive touch, throws with anticipation, is one of the smartest quarterbacks out there and does not let pressure get to him in big spots. I'd like to see him develop in some areas, but he will be a very productive Group of Five player at UConn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2236719} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Photo-Jun-28-2026-4-20-02-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2236719" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page QB Cam Kruse during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Cameron' last='Kruse'] – Page High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cam Kruse stepped in as the starting quarterback at Page a season ago and was nothing short of terrific for the eventual 2025 Class 5A state champs. He completed 73% of his passes for 2,282 yards with 41 total touchdowns to just three interceptions. Kruse committed to Kansas State this offseason and ranks as the No. 39 overall player in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers nice size for his position, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds with an athletic frame that allows him to remain mobile and agile. I wouldn't label him as a true dual-threat guy, but Kruse has nice wheels that add another layer to his game. His arm talent is excellent, with a strong arm and touch that allows him to make nearly every throw on the field. The '27 prospect has an elite football mind with experience that cannot be taught without being thrown onto the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598740} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/75-Sawyer-Phillips-rotated-e1736532271912.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598740" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Beech QB [player_tooltip player_id='1317766' first='Sawyer' last='Phillips'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1317766' first='Sawyer' last='Phillips'] – Beech High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1317766' first='Sawyer' last='Phillips'] from Beech is an interesting quarterback heading into the upcoming season. He sat behind Kentucky baseball signee Kaden Powell in 2025, but has shown nice progression throughout this offseason. There is still a lot to figure out, but Phillips looked good in an offseason scrimmage against Rockvale back in April. He does not hold any offers right now, but keep an eye on this rising senior in his first season as a starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PhillipsSawyer7/status/2039331925844738274?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/PhillipsSawyer7/status/2039331925844738274?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has nice size for a quarterback, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 190 pounds with a lean frame that allows him to stay mobile. Phillips is a much different player than what the Buccaneers have had the last two seasons, but I think he'll find success. He's a good passer who's shown the ability to complete off-balance throws and make accurate reads downfield with enough wiggle to contribute in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1666856} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/klong.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1666856" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knoxville Central QB [player_tooltip player_id='1104268' first='Kaden' last='Long'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1104268' first='Kaden' last='Long'] – Knoxville Central High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1104268' first='Kaden' last='Long'] is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in Tennessee and is coming off a season in which he was a Mr. Football finalist. He completed 65% of his passes for 3,327 yards, adding 1,286 yards on the ground with 46 total touchdowns. The rising senior added his first offer recently from UT-Martin, but will likely see more come in with another productive season at the helm of Knoxville Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good size for his position, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds with a lean, long frame that allows for additional weight to upgrade his game. Long is a solid passer, possessing a strong arm, good accuracy, throws with anticipation, can complete tough passes downfield and has proven the ability to throw off-balance. He's incredibly elusive, can extend plays behind the line of scrimmage and has the wheels to be a massive threat in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2005166} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/bwright2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2005166" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Memphis Central QB [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] – Memphis Central High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] stepped into a full-time starting role at Memphis Central last season and showed a lot of good things. In 10 games, he threw for 1,809 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while being a leader on the football field. He holds two offers from Samford and UT-Martin, but should see plenty more come in throughout the offseason and into the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers nice size for his age and position, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 200 pounds with a strong frame that helps give him FBS potential. Wright has good arm talent and the ability to create off-balance throws or make them under pressure. The 2028 prospect has a strong arm, nice touch and high football instincts. He needs to polish his game overall, but there is clear potential in the rising junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->