Class 1A Pre-season Mr. Football Candidates

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As things sit right now headed into the 2026 season, we may be looking at a repeat of last year's result where a South Pittsburg receiver won while a McKenzie quarterback finished in second place. I do see others contending and we talk about those guys and more here in our preseason 1A Mr. Football outlook. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This should be a fun race to follow this year as this classification returns the defending winner and the runner-up along with several others fighting to be called “Mr. Football.” Seeing that McKenzie and South Pittsburg are far and away the top two teams on the 1A level, it's hard not to see someone from those schools taking home top honors but I see several players listed below that have a great shot at finding themselves in Nashville with strong 2026 seasons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Tier ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1603459' first='Cole' last='Brown'] - McKenzie: </strong>Last year as a junior, Brown put up some silly offensive numbers but finished in second place for Mr. Football. You have to bet this West Tennessee product wants to get back to Nashville and get that elusive trophy while leading his Rebels team towards earning a state title. Brown has to sit at the top of the list for any and all individual awards this season but of course, he must stay healthy and produce and that's what I'm expecting from the McKenzie signal caller.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) David Baker - Cosby: </strong>Baker is one of my dark horses contending for Mr. Football and someone I'm expecting to have a highly productive senior year. The Eagles return a squad this Fall that can win their region and go on a decent run in the playoffs and if they do, Baker will be a major catalyst behind their efforts. Last year, this East Tennessee running back ran for nearly 1,200 yards and 15 scores and I think Baker can produce even more and if he does, being in Nashville as a Mr. Football finalist is possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] - South Pitt: </strong>Cooper returns this Fall as the reigning, defending Mr. Football winner and he has a great shot at being a repeat winner. I think the path towards Cooper bringing home top honors again will be different compared to last year. South Pitt will have a new starter at quarterback, so it may take time for everybody to gel on offense. While I foresee Cooper producing at receiver, I think his work at cornerback and on special teams will make up the difference and keep him in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='2161216' first='Devin' last='Bertram'] - Harriman: </strong>The top defensive prospect coming out of the 1A ranks is this East Tennessee edge rusher that has the abilities and talent to produce double digit sacks this Fall. Bertram can be a game wrecker and one man catalyst on the Blue Devils defense that not only performs at a high level but gets his team in the mix for a hopeful region title. If Bertram produces and Harriman wins enough ball games, this “Top 60” ranked PRZTN prospect has a shot at contending for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2003022,"width":"196px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/colebrown.webp?w=617" alt="" class="wp-image-2003022" style="width:196px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Tier ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Adrian Darby - Rockwood: </strong>Nearly rushing for 1,000 yards last season, Darby could be ready to breakout with his most productive year yet as his team's top offensive weapon. The Tigers ball carrier and two-way prospect will be depended on a lot this Fall as the team's primary offensive producer and top defender in the secondary. Rockwood does look like a playoff caliber team but if Darby plays at a high level, the Tigers could be a sleeper region title team that goes on a run in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB/RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1641257' first='Elliott' last='Lindsey'] - Greenback: </strong>Probably the most important player on both sides of the ball for the Cherokees, Lindsey looks to finish out his high school by helping lead his team to a possible region title while competing for Mr. Football honors. This two-way backer produced over 1,200 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last year and if he increases those numbers in the Fall, Lindsey could certainly place himself as a legit contender for the classification's top individual honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1065915' first='Westin' last='Porter'] - Greenfield: </strong>Porter stepped onto the field last year as a sophomore and established himself as a top player on the 1A level moving forward and he can continue growing that stock this Fall with a potential 1,000 plus yard season. If this Greenfield ball carrier steps up to produce even more this Fall, I could see Porter working his way into Mr. Football contention while also furthering his stock as a hopeful next level college player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='933041' first='Darion' last='Taylor'] - Humboldt: </strong>If the Vikings can sort out their quarterback situation, Taylor may quietly play his way into Mr. Football contention and possibly find his way to Nashville as a finalist. One of the better athletes on the 1A level, Taylor can produce in different ways from catching the ball, making interceptions on defense while also performing on special teams. If this West Tennessee product has a big year, Mr. Football is possible but so is a deep run into the playoffs for Humboldt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) Jacolbi Melton - McKenzie: </strong>The Rebels have several options on offense but Melton is their most versatile performer that I foresee producing at both running back and receiver while returning the ball on special teams. You will also see this West Tennessee prospect performing in the Rebels secondary as well. Seeing that Melton will be on the field a ton this Fall, I can easily see this McKenzie senior becoming a strong candidate for Mr. Football and a sleeper to win the award.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2080078,"width":"218px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/dartaylor.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2080078" style="width:218px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Candidates ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1603477' first='Brody' last='Raby'] - Sale Creek: </strong>A stud on the baseball diamond, Raby could grow his star status on the football field as well with a potential breakout junior season. The Panthers have expectations to continue their winning ways from last year and if they put themselves in contention for a region title, Raby will be a big driving force behind those efforts. Standing 6'4 190 pounds, Raby has impressive size along with arm talent that can be developed further. I can see this guy being a Mr. Football dark horse as long as he produces yards and victories for his Panthers team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Bryant Mooney - Huntland: </strong>The Hornets are a dark horse team that could compete for a region title and if they do, Mooney will be a big reason why. This two-way backer will be an important piece for Huntland this year where he will be expected to produce a ton in the Hornets run based offense while also possibly leading the team in tackles on defense. I believe this guy's health and production will be critical toward the Hornets overall success this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Edward Agnew - Humboldt: </strong>Running the football is what Humboldt does on offense, so as long as everything goes to plan, I'm expecting a big senior season from Agnew. This compact, strong ball carrier has the physicality and vision to produce a ton of yards this season and if he performs at a high level, Agnew has to be considered a Mr. Football candidate. The opportunity should be there as the Vikings have high expectations this year with Agnew being a key catalyst towards finding success.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='2164480' first='Jon' last='Michael Wix'] - Jo Byrns: </strong>I don't know how his team's season will play out but Wix has the talent to put forth a strong junior season that just might get him in the mix for Mr. Football. This ‘6'3 pass catcher has the athleticism, ball skills and size to be a difference maker that most opposing teams doesn;t have an answer for. The Red Devils will have a new quarterback under center this Fall and priority number one for him is get on the same page with Wix as that duo alone can generate plenty of victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Others to Track: </strong>(QB) <strong>Nyles Barnett </strong>- Fayetteville, ‘29 (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2070630' first='Brycen' last='Blevins'] </strong>- Hampton, (RB/S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1086362' first='Javon' last='McFadden'] </strong>- Perry Co., (RB) <strong>Dekacian Waters </strong>- Westwood, (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2071511' first='Avery' last='Brown'] </strong>- McKenzie&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2245483,"width":"259px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/jmwix.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-2245483" style="width:259px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->