Early Pre-season #PRZTN Power Poll
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The 2024 season is months away but how about an early Power Poll showing who the top teams should be headed into the next Fall football season? We got you covered right here! 2024 Prep Redzone Tennessee Power 25 1.…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 season is months away but how about an early Power Poll showing who the top teams should be headed into the next Fall football season? We got you covered right here!
2024 Prep Redzone Tennessee Power 25
1. Lipscomb Academy Mustangs
– The Mustangs return a loaded junior class, led by Chauncey Gooden Chauncey Gooden 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN , Antonio Carter, Jr Antonio Carter, Jr 6'2" | 265 lbs | DL Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN , C.J. Jimcoily C.J. Jimcoily 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Lipscomb Acad. | 2025 State TN and others that should put them back in the mix for a state title next season. Shoring up the quarterback with Tav Shaffer Tav Shaffer 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN will be the key for the Mustangs in what could be a well balanced offense.
2. Baylor Red Raiders
– While Baylor will be losing some key players, they also return a strong roster, especially up front with Jimmy Bryson Jimmy Bryson 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor | 2025 State TN , Charlie Edgeworth Charlie Edgeworth 6'7" | 320 lbs | OL Baylor | 2026 TN and Jonathan King Jonathan King 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Baylor | 2026 TN . The Red Raiders also return a stud in Cameron Sparks Cameron Sparks 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Baylor | 2025 State TN that should be catching passes from rising junior Briggs Cherry Briggs Cherry 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Baylor | 2026 State TN .
3. Brentwood Academy Eagles
– This is lofty status for a team coming off a very disappointing 2023 season but the Eagles are loaded at the skill position, led by star quarterback George MacIntyre George MacIntyre 6'5" | 190 lbs | QB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN and supported by athletic stars in Tamari Hill Tamari Hill 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN , Neo Clifton Neo Clifton 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN , Shavar Young, Jr Shavar Young, Jr 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Knox. Webb | 2026 State TN , Easton Jointer and others.
4. Pearl Cohn Firebirds
– Coming off a state championship, Pearl Cohn is having to replace some key seniors but they return enough juice at their skill positions to return to the 4A title game next Fall, led by studs Javion Kinnard Javion Kinnard 5'8" | 175 lbs | WR Pearl Cohn | 2025 State TN , Donovan Higgins Donovan Higgins 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Pearl Cohn | 2025 TN and new Firebird running back Camarion Miller Camarion Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Haywood | 2025 State TN .
5. Oakland Patriots
– The Patriots fell one game short of the 6A title in 2023 and their returning talent should have a good taste of that loss, looking to avenge that game next season. They have some talent to do so, led by star running back Daune Morris Daune Morris 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oakland | 2025 State TN and two secondary standouts in Bronson Crisp Bronson Crisp 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Oakland | 2025 State TN and Craig Tutt Craig Tutt 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Oakland | 2026 State TN .
6. McCallie Blue Tornado
– The defending D2-Class AAA state champs must replace a lot of talented seniors and while it may take some time to gel, next year’s version should still have enough talent to compete for the championship yet again. Key names to know here are Carson Lawrence Carson Lawrence 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB McCallie | 2025 State TN and Keeyshawn Schneider Keeyshawn Schneider 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH McCallie | 2026 TN .
7. Houston Mustangs
– The 2023 season was one to remember, ending with a 6A title but the Mustangs must move on and do so without star back Damon Sisa Damon Sisa 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Houston | 2024 State TN . While he is tough to replace, Houston brings back a strong core from this year, including starting quarterback Chandler Day Chandler Day 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Houston | 2025 TN and two beasts up front in Garrett Hagan Garrett Hagan 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Houston | 2025 State TN and Tony Williams.
8. Germantown Red Devils
– This past year was supposed to be the big season for Germantown but they fell short. Looking ahead into next year, the Red Devils must replace some key seniors but bring back some serious talent in Jamarion Morrow Jamarion Morrow 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Germantown | 2025 State TN , Yasir Muhammad Yasir Muhammad 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Germantown | 2025 State TN and Trevon McGory that could push for the 6A title.
9. Page Patriots
– Three years in a row, the Pats have fallen one game short of a state title but maybe 2024 is finally their year as they return possibly the top defense in the state, led by studs Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN , Brenden Anes Brenden Anes 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Page | 2025 State TN and rising junior Knight Wilson Knight Wilson 6'0" | DB Page | 2026 TN .
10. MBA Big Red
– By the end of the 2023 season, the Big Red were one of the hottest teams in the state, which bodes well for the 2024 campaign that will be led by one of the best backfields in the Mid-TN area with Hugh Price Hugh Price 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB MBA | 2026 State TN at quarterback and rising senior Brooklen Davis Brooklen Davis 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB MBA | 2025 State TN at running back.
11. Ravenwood Raptors
– The Raptors could be your sleeper team to watch in 6A next year as they return a talented upcoming senior group, led by Ben Hubbard Ben Hubbard 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Ravenwood | 2025 State TN and Max Kimpel Max Kimpel 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Ravenwood | 2025 State TN at receiver, Kyle Larkin Kyle Larkin 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Ravenwood | 2025 State TN up front and rising junior Femi Babalola Femi Babalola 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Ravenwood | 2026 State TN running things behind center at quarterback.
12. Bearden Bulldogs
– Bearden is another sleeper team to follow in 6A next season as they were young this Fall but return all that youth for 2024. The Bulldogs have some of the best college talent in the state, spearheaded by Chaston Smith Chaston Smith 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Bearden | 2026 State TN , Jayzon Thompson Jayzon Thompson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Bearden | 2026 State TN and trench monster Brody Smith Brody Smith 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Maryville | 2026 State TN .
13. Alcoa Tornadoes
– I see no reason why Alcoa shouldn’t repeat as 3A champions yet again, especially with returning talent like Eli Graf Eli Graf 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Alcoa | 2025 TN , Eli Owens Eli Owens 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Alcoa | 2025 State TN , Kolby Barrett Kolby Barrett 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Maryville | 2026 State TN and others coming back next Fall. The Tornadoes also have two youngsters to watch next year in Jamir Dean Jamir Dean 6'2" | 155 lbs | WR Alcoa | 2027 State TN and Jamerius Abuhania Jamerius Abuhania 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH Alcoa | 2027 TN .
14. Cleveland Blue Raiders
– Under a new coaching staff this season, Cleveland had some struggles but still made the playoffs with a young team that will be a year older in 2024. Quarterback Cash Bandy Cash Bandy 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2025 TN should be healthy and he has a strong supporting cast around him in Isaiah Davis Isaiah Davis 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Cleveland | 2025 State TN , Lucas Szymborski Lucas Szymborski 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Crown Point | 2025 IN , Brayden Carroll Brayden Carroll 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2026 State TN , A.J. Westfield A.J. Westfield 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Cleveland | 2026 State TN and others.
15. Powell Panthers
– This Fall season was a youth movement for the Panthers but they still won a bunch of games, which tells me to watch out for Powell in 2024. They have one of the best backfields in the East TN region and the state with rising senior Conner Wheeler at running back and junior Deuce Rodgers Deuce Rodgers 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Powell | 2026 TN at quarterback.
16. Bartlett Panthers
– Playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, Bartlett will have to replace some key players but bring back enough talent to compete for a region title. Quarterback Kam Alexander Kam Alexander 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bartlett | 2025 TN should be a year better while he has two dynamic talents around him on offense to make him better in Geron Johnson Geron Johnson 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Bartlett | 2025 TN and wideout Malachi Butler Malachi Butler 6'4" | 200 lbs | WR Bartlett | 2025 State TN .
17. Southwind Jaguars
– The Jags were one step away from competing for the 5A title in 2023 and while they have to replace some big time seniors, they return Mr. Football winner Kelvin Perkins Kelvin Perkins 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Southwind | 2026 TN at quarterback as well as some talented underclassmen that should put Southwind back in the mix for 2024.
18. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears
– This Mid-Tennessee program could have one of the better backfields in the state for 2024, led by rising seniors Tyler Travers Tyler Travers 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB Mt. Juliet | 2025 State TN , Jon-Mikael Crudup and Harrison Edwards Harrison Edwards 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Lebanon | 2025 TN . If they can receive good play up front and replace some talent on defense, watch out for the Golden Bears next Fall.
19. Knox. Catholic Fighting Irish
– Depth and replacements are needed in the trenches for Knox. Catholic but they could have one of the best one-two punches on offense with the return of quarterback Jayden Neal Jayden Neal 5'11" | 195 lbs | QB Knox. Catholic | 2025 TN and star wideout Tyreek King Tyreek King 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Knox. Catholic | 2026 State TN . The Fighting Irish have some up and coming youth that will need to perform at a high level.
20. Oak Ridge Wildcats
– A 5A sleeper time to watch next Fall are these Wildcats that yes have to replace some significant college talent but they have some youthful guys like Blaine Stansberry Blaine Stansberry 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Oak Ridge | 2026 TN , Will Pressley Will Pressley 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Oak Ridge | 2026 TN , Velon Henderson Velon Henderson 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Oakland | 2027 TN and others ready to step into the spotlight along with beef up front in the likes of Ethan Eubanks Ethan Eubanks 6'5" | 255 lbs | OL Oak Ridge | 2025 State TN and Jared Bafford Jared Bafford 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Oak Ridge | 2026 State TN .
21. Boyd Buchanan Buccaneers
– The Bucs made it all the way to the D2-Class AA title game in 2023 with a young squad and even though they have to replace a few key seniors, a good chunk of that championship team returns in 2024, led by offensive standouts Houston Hicks Houston Hicks 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Boyd Buchanan | 2025 State TN , Darin Shannon Darin Shannon 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Boyd Buchanan | 2025 TN and David Green David Green 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Boyd Buchanan | 2026 TN .
22. Cookeville Cavaliers
– It’s been a restructuring in Cookeville under Coach Hennigan that finally saw dividends being made in 2023 that could result in a banner year in 2024. They have a prime Mr. Football candidate in quarterback Blake Owen Blake Owen 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Cookeville | 2025 TN along with a good front, led by junior Austin Hoane Austin Hoane 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Cookeville | 2026 State TN and a lot of up and coming young talent alongside.
23. Upperman Bees
– The 2023 season will be one to remember for the Bees as they made it to their 1st ever state title game but can they repeat that feat in 2024? It will be tough as they must replace a key senior core but they return some strong talent in Bronzden Chaffin Bronzden Chaffin 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Upperman | 2026 TN , Ethan Palk Ethan Palk 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Upperman | 2025 TN , Carmine Phillips Carmine Phillips 5'9" | 155 lbs | RB Upperman | 2026 TN and others to lead the way.
24. East Nashville Eagles
– It’s hard not to put Coach Harris and his Eagles into the Power 25 as they have been a consistent program over the last few years that return enough talent to go on another title run in 2024. It will be a challenge as they have to replace a lot of key players but they have a Mr. Football candidate in Keith Johnson Keith Johnson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB East Nashville | 2026 TN to lean on.
25. CPA Lions
– The defending D2-Class AA champs take the final spot and it was a tough call as the Lions lose a ton of their championship and must depend on unknowns next year but I’m sure the coaching staff will find the right guys to get the job done. Owen Cabell Owen Cabell 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR CPA | 2026 State TN is a stud and the O-line should be solid with Brady Smith Brady Smith 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL CPA | 2025 State TN and Sawyer Daniel paving the way.
Five Others to Know: Sevier Co., Knox. Halls, Clarksville, Christian Brothers, Beech