Best Non-Offered 1A College Prospects

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have gotten deep into this year's recruiting process to know who is being viewed heavily and who is being overlooked. There are several college caliber prospects roaming on the Class 1A level that are still waiting on their first offers. Here we breakdown some of the best talent we see in the 1A classification that are worthy of bigger looks. </h2>     (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2161686' first='R.J.' last='Jones'] - Harriman   - When you come from the 1A level, it's tough to garner a lot of college interest and that seems to be the case so far for this East Tennessee pass catcher. Jones is a talented young man that flashes next level abilities on film. He has plenty of growth yet to go, especially with his body but the athleticism and ball skills are there to be developed into a potential college slot receiver. Jones is stepping into his senior year with Harriman as the team's top offensive weapon. He will be leaned upon a lot to produce and I think he will do so in a variety of ways that includes taking handoffs while returning the ball on special teams. If the Blue Devils senior puts forth a big senior year, I fully expect him to land several college opportunities.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/rjjones.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2249340" style="width:236px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1670023' first='Ashton' last='Fuller'] - Unaka   - Fuller has started since his freshman season and nearly produced 1,000 yards receiving through only two years of high school ball. I see next level potential with this East Tennessee product but Fuller must continue to get bigger and stronger while enhancing his craft to reach the college stage. What I do see with the Rangers wideout is someone with strong ball skills and the ability to separate from his defender. When you have speed with consistent hands, you have a shot at the next level. I'm interested to see how the quarterback situation works out at Unaka because getting the ball to Fuller should be at the top of the list. If this rising junior increases his game play and production, finding a way to college is very possible.    - - - - -    ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2164480' first='Jon' last='Michael Wix'] - Jo Byrns   - It's just a matter of time before this 1A, small school wideout gains his first offer then watches his recruitment take off. Recently ranked as a “Top 100” junior prospect inside our TN2028 class, the Red Devils receiver has the athleticism, ball skills and physical tools desired on the college stage, Wix has just yet to be found. He is definitely all over my radar as I see a future college player with Wix and someone that is still coming into his own. This Mid-Tennessee prospect already stands 6'3 190 pounds, so Wix already has the look and overall size wanted as a college outside receiver. He just needs to keep developing in the right direction while producing and the college coaches will start calling.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/jmwix.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-2245483" style="width:229px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2220114' first='Kason' last='Brown'] - McKenzie   - Brown looks like the next guy up in the Rebels program that has a shot to make it to the next level. This West Tennessee pass catcher had a strong sophomore season where he produced 7 touchdowns on 412 yards receiving and I think he can double those numbers during the upcoming season. What the Rebels rising junior brings to the field is excellent size (6'3 180) with ball skills and the ability to make tough receptions. I could see a scenario where a college staff likes the Rebels junior at safety as well as he shows upside there as well. Brown has to get bigger and stronger while filling out his frame but I see potential with him and his ability to get better with more experience and one day find a spot in college ball.    - - - - -    ‘29 (OL) [player_tooltip player_id='1218739' first='Barrett' last='Hudson'] - Eagleville   - This Mid-Tennessee big man jumped on my radar two years ago at our Prep Redzone Tennessee Showcase and Hudson has gotten bigger and better since then but has yet to land his first offer. I think that changes in time and may even come during the upcoming season where Hudson should become one of the better O-line prospects from the 1A level. The Eagles big man is a good athlete with a mauling mentality that shows up in the run game but Hudson also displays pass protecting upside that could work at tackle or guard. Depending on how he continues to grow into his body, I could see Hudson handling multiple positions up front but for college, I think his upside sits best at guard where he can move people off the ball.    - - - - -    (DE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='2136001' first='Casey' last='Garner'] - Perry Co.    - As we enter the upcoming Fall football season, Garner is still waiting on his first offer to arrive but I have to think it will happen over the next few months based on the physical tools and upside I see within this Mid-Tennessee edge rusher. Standing 6 '4 240 pounds, Garner has the size and overall look to contend on the college level but the fact he plays at a 1A school might be what is holding coaches back from offering. I also think they want to see how he performs early on this season and how much progress he has made before extending offers. I think they will because the Vikings defensive prospect is legit with a skill set that can be developed further in college and be turned into an edge defender disruptor.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/cgarner2.webp?w=477" alt="" class="wp-image-2249344" style="width:157px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (DT) [player_tooltip player_id='2224056' first='Jayden' last='Marr'] - KIPP Collegiate   - Coming off a breakout sophomore year where Marr placed at the top of 1A level in sacks, this Memphis area product could be on the verge of getting onto the college radar with another standout season. Standing 6 '3 and nearly 290 pounds, Marr has the physical look and size desired on the next level along with an athletic skill set that is still being developed. Opportunity is there for Marr to continue establishing himself as one of the best D-linemen on the 1A level and one of the better overall prospects within his classification. I think both me and college coaches need to see more physical domination from Marr before the offers arrive but if he keeps progressing like he is, those elusive offers will eventually arrive.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='932939' first='Nigel' last='Clark'] - Lake Co.    - One of the more hidden gems we have from the 1A class this year is this West Tennessee linebacker that shows upside to reach the next level and eventually become a starter somewhere someday. A multi-year starter with his Falcons defense, Clark is an active, physical middle backer that does well at playing the gaps against the run while displaying potential as a sideline to sideline tackler. While I think this West Tennessee defender has played good ball throughout his high school career, I still see higher levels to his game that may bust out this coming season. If that happens, I could see several college programs come through with offers, providing an opportunity to prove himself on the next level.    - - - - -    (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1673682' first='Eli' last='Ritter'] - Coalfield   - Sitting under the radar headed into his senior season, Ritter is a hard hitting, physical competitor for Coalfield that shows next level upside but needs to take that next step in his game to gain more eyes on him. The Yellow Jackets linebacker stands about 6'2 195 pounds, so the look is there but Ritter must get bigger and stronger while enhancing his game to see the offers come through. I think he can get there as I like how this East Tennessee defender performs and the level of intensity he brings to the field. I fully expect Ritter to lead his defense in tackles and potentially the 1A level but also help guide his Coalfield to another potential region title that sets them up for a possible deep playoff run.    - - - - -    ‘28 (Ath) Nicholi Burton - South Pittsburg   - There is a lot of unknowns about this Chattanooga area junior going into the 2026 season but I see potential with Burton and someone to watch this Fall as a breakout performer. I have to see where the Pirates' staff uses this guy because the raw, physical tools point towards an outside receiver, a safety or possibly a linebacker. Burton stands 6 '2 180 plus pounds with natural athleticism and those physical tools alone does wonders for a 1A program that doesn't face many teams with players that look like him. I can see the Pirates junior becoming a big X-Factor player this Fall that takes over a starting role somewhere and begins to progress into a legit college prospect.    - - - - -    Five Others to Watch: (RB) Adrian Darby - Rockwood, (WR) Cornelius Carr - Cosby, ‘29 (OL/DT) Kenny Lawson - Harriman, (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='932881' first='Jacoby' last='Sutton'] - Dresden, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='2164498' first='Jaelin' last='Weddington'] - Fayetteville   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/eritter.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2243202" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure>