Preseason X-Factors: MASE Football 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Just two years ago, the Phoenix earned their first ever state title but they have a chance to add their second "Gold Ball" trophy this year but only if their top guys perform at a high level. Who are the X-Factor players for MASE to keep eyes on this coming Fall season? We got that covered for you here w/ our preseason look at the Phoenix! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some of the best college talent from the greater Memphis area resides here with MASE, who have a roster equipped to chase after the Class 2A state title. For the Phoenix to accomplish their goals, their X-Factor players and leaders must play well and perform at a high level each and every week. I do like the makeup of this team and the pieces the Phoenix return for the 2026 season. MASE should have a well balanced ball club with a potentially high scoring offense and one of the better defensive units not just in their classification but possibly in Memphis and the entire state of Tennessee.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top X-Factors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘29 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='2165218' first='Jakhari' last='Jones']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- By all accounts heading into the 2026 season, this sophomore signal caller looks to be taking the reins under center for his MASE offense and the clips I've seen from Jones thus far are impressive. This West Tennessee product may be one of the next up and coming quarterbacks coming from his 2029 class that show the arm talent to reach the college stage one day. His emergence running the show this Fall will definitely make Jones an X-Factor player that may prove to be the difference that puts MASE into the 2A title game and over the top. We will see how things play out but right now, I like the upside I see from Jones and what he can provide for his Phoenix offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2149120' first='LeAndrew' last='Branch']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If I am predicting for anyone on the MASE roster to step forward and breakout this season, it's this running back, who is currently ranked as our 3rd best ball carrier within our senior class. I think Branch is vastly underrated but delivers explosive running and breakaway speed that definitely makes him an X-Factor player for the coming 2026 season. The Phoenix coaching staff are implementing new pieces on offense this year, so they will need Branch to potentially become their top playmaker, top weapon that produces big plays and touchdowns. He has the juice to do it and I think if he does play well this Fall, he will be in the mix for Mr. Football as well as boost his overall recruiting stock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The state's top defensive lineman for the TN2027 class has to be an X-Factor player right? I think so and think he will be vital towards the Phoenix competing for a Class 2A state title. Pittman is a massive young man with outstanding physicality and power that many O-line units he faces this year can not handle and if he is asserting his dominance week in and week out, MASE might have the best defense on the 2A level. Currently committed to Ole Miss, Pittman is also a good athlete that comes off the snap well and causes disruption in the backfield. This guy is basically unblockable on the high school level that will play a big part this season in his team's efforts at achieving championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2204819,"width":"243px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8623098726496068","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Photo-May-07-2026-8-40-27-PM.jpg?w=883" alt="" class="wp-image-2204819" style="aspect-ratio:0.8623098726496068;width:243px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MASE DL [player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] at his Under Armour All-American Game ceremony. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1666967' first='Akeem' last='Hunt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- For one reason or another, Hunt has basically remained under the radar throughout the recruiting process but he is as important to his Phoenix team as anyone due to his productivity and leadership on the defensive side of the ball. What makes this linebacker an X-Factor player is how hard and fast Hunt plays on top of his ability to rack up double digit tackling games. Ranked as a top ten linebacker by Prep Redzone Tennessee, Hunt is one of the fastest at his position in the state while also sporting top level instincts finding the ball. His game play will be ultra critical this Fall. I think if this Memphis area defender has another strong year, it may force D1 programs to start paying attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1158912' first='Kadience' last='Nelson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A multi-year starter with a lot of game experience, Nelson will be asked to not only produce at a high level this season but also provide leadership for a secondary that might be pretty good. This athletic safety has some of the best instincts, ball hawk abilities in the state, which makes him a playmaker on the back end that can be an X-Factor performer on a weekly basis. This Memphis native has generated interest from the college level with a few offers in-hand but has yet to really break through. That could change after the coming season, especially if Nelson has another highly productive year while leading his MASE team to victories and possibly titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Other X-Factor Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1694872' first='Jaden' last='Taylor']: </strong>New to the Phoenix defense this season, Taylor might turn out to be the team's top cover corner that is asked to lock down the opposition's best receiver. Looking through his off-season work, Taylor might turn out to be one of the better hidden gems coming out of his senior class due to his athleticism, length and size. Gaining a lot of interceptions is possible for Taylor due to the talent up front on the defensive line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1588871' first='Marcellus' last='Miller']: </strong>I see good potential residing with this Memphis area pass rusher that could find that next step in his game this Fall and produce near double digit sacks. If Miller is able to do that, he won't be an X-Factor performer but someone that boosts his stock and begins to wrangle in more college interest. His work this off-season does point towards a possible breakout year for Miller and having the Pittman brothers up front to take attention away may allow this edge rusher to shine.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='2206384' first='Jamaris' last='Pittman']: </strong>Last year was a nice debut for Pittman but even more will be expected out of him this Fall as one of the team's top overall prospects. This 6 '4 defensive end, edge guy has the physical size and athletic abilities to become a difference maker up front for MASE and contend for the team lead in sacks. While rushing the passer is something that is needed from Pittman, his work against the run game may be equally as important.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='2231184' first='Chase' last='Jefferson']: </strong>Coming to MASE from Pure Academy, Jefferson should be a big addition to the Phoenix front seven this Fall and a potential game changer for their defense. Ranked as the 25th best prospect in the TN2028 class, Jefferson is an athletic and strong disruptor that provides a nice combination of pass rush and run stopping abilities. He should do very well this Fall on his talents alone but also due to the talent surrounding him in the trenches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Contributors: </strong>‘28 (OL) <strong>Braylon Guy</strong>, ‘28 (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1030582' first='Jaden' last='Dale']</strong>, ‘28 (Ath) <strong>Caleb Williams&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2242878,"width":"234px","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/jtaylor.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2242878" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->