#PRZTN Mr. Football Candidates: D2-Class AA

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">It will be a battle this year to see who comes out as Mr. Football for the D2-Class AA ranks as we don't have a clear cut leader in the clubhouse, meaning it's wide open for anyone to take top individual honors. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='402563' first='Shavar' last='Young, Jr'] - Knox. Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Spartans two-way athlete has a great shot this Fall to not only boost his stock in a significant way but also contend for D2-Class AA Mr. Football. Playing both receiver and defensive back for his Knox. Webb team, Young, Jr will be “the guy” this year that will get the ball in his hands as much as possible and if the opposition decides to throw his way while on defense, he could pick off a multitude of passes. This East Tennessee product is a natural athlete with game breaking abilities and there aren't too many guys with his skill set residing in this classification, so Young, Jr has a tremendous opportunity to walk away with the top individual honor due to his team importance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='976043' first='E.J.' last='Carter'] - Notre Dame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a 1,600 yard season on the ground, Carter returns as the top rusher from the D2-Class AA ranks and that bodes well for being in contention for Mr. Football honors. The Fighting Irish senior ball carrier has seen his stock soar this off-season with the addition of multiple FCS offers but with another big year on the ground, Carter could start to gain D1 looks. His play will be critical this Fall in his team's success as well as his own. If the Fighting Irish put forth a winning record, reach the playoffs and Carter has a stellar season, he could have a shot at coming home with that “Gold Ball” as the class's Mr. Football winner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1002764' first='Arnett' last='Hayes, Jr'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Hayes, Jr had a big time breakout junior season where he produced over 1,000 yards receiving and he returns as the top production based wideout from the D2-Class AA ranks, which puts him in prime contention for Mr. Football. What will be fun to watch is how this 6 '2 pass catcher progresses under a new coaching staff with the head coach having vast experience on the college level. Hayes, Jr also has one of the better quarterbacks in this classification spinning the ball to him, so I expect another big year out this D1 offered athlete, If Hayes, Jr produces at a high level yet again, he might not only be in Nashville as a Mr. Football finalist but could boost his stock into possible Power Four status as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/arnettjr3/status/1797773292541206656","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/arnettjr3/status/1797773292541206656 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='914547' first='Kaedyn' last='Marable'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is one of my stock risers in the D2-Class AA ranks for the coming Fall season that has a great chance to end the year in Nashville as a Mr. Football finalist. Marable started to come into his own through the 2nd half of the football season and if his off-season work shows anything, the Wildcats quarterback could be in-store for a breakout junior year. What can help push Marable into Mr. Football contention is of course his own personal play but also the talent around him and he has some dudes to work with that will certainly make him look good. A lot of team and personal success this season will be in the hands of Marable and if he and team win a bunch of ball games, his spot in Nashville could be there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='219427' first='Houston' last='Hicks'] - Boyd Buchanan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Last year as a junior was a mixed bag for this Chattanooga area quarterback as Hicks led his Bucs team to the D2-Class AA title game but if you asked him, he could have played better, which leads me to think he could be in-store for a breakout, Mr. Football type senior season. Sporting good size and good arm strength, Hicks has the physical tools to develop much further and what can help him is the offense opening up and allowing him to spread the ball around to a talented receiving corp. Hicks has the chops to get it done and if he performs to his maximum capabilities this year, he is not only possibly getting the Bucs back to the title game but he might be in Nashville as a finalist for Mr. Football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1329888,"width":"439px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/hhicks.jpeg?w=850" alt="" class="wp-image-1329888" style="width:439px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Damontae Dillard - Northpoint Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Trojans look to be transitioning their offense this season with the loss of their FCS quarterback, so the rushing attack should be their top option with Dillard being the main guy. This is a talented All-Purpose Back with a quick burst running style that stays low to the ground along with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The talent is there to take on a big role this Fall and develop into one of the top production based rushers in D2-Class AA this season. If Dillard does produce like I envision, he could run his way in Mr. Football contention by season's end.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(TE/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='466271' first='Wes' last='Harper'] - Davidson Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This is your unconventional pick for Mr. Football but it might be a good one. Looking over our options this year but also looking at the potential production for Harper, I can see where this two-way talent could find his way to Nashville by the end of the year. He will be the top receiving target for a pass first quarterback this year as well as one of the team's top pass rushers on defense. The Bears senior product has worked hard this off-season to increase his speed and better his overall skill set and I think it will show on the field this year. Harper won't be the first guy you think of when it comes to Mr. Football but don't be surprised if he ends up on the stage as a finalist by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='492601' first='Caden' last='Stroud'] - Davidson Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a sophomore season where Stroud ran for 1,000 yards, he returns as a veteran and a guy the Bears offense will lean on to produce on a consistent basis. This Nashville area running back is well built physically. Stroud is your ground and pound ball carrier that gets downhill quickly due to his quick burst running and physicality. He is an efficient ball player that can be dependable when the Bears passing attack isn't working. Stroud should also play a role on defense at linebacker, so tackles and other defensive stats will be added to his profile. If the Bears lean more towards running the ball this season, watch out for Stroud as he could become a dark horse candidate for Mr. Football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1329891,"width":"315px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/cstroud.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1329891" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘26 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] - Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Panthers are looking to bank on some new players to step into lead roles this year and Hassell is a prime candidate for that and a sleeper pick for Mr. Football. Playing both ways at running back and defensive back, Hassell should have plenty of opportunities to make plays and put up some big numbers. He should be the focal point on offense as Hassell is the team's best playmaker and one of the best defenders in the secondary as well. If all goes according to plan and he stays healthy, Hassell is a strong prospect for a breakout season that can put him in the mix for Mr. Football but also place himself on the college radar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(QB) [player_tooltip player_id='534630' first='Kade' last='Butler'] - ECS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If you want a guy that is sitting way under the radar but has an outside, slight chance at contending for Mr. Football, it's this Memphis area quarterback. Butler is Mr. Everything for his Eagles squad and the catalyst on an offense that could be much improved this Fall. Wins of course will boost his stock but what can place Butler on the list for Mr. Football contenders is his dual threat, pass first abilities. The Eagles quarterback has solid mechanics with an eye to push the ball down field. If his receiver isn't open, Butler will tuck it and run. Opportunity is there for Butler to put up some big numbers while contending for a region title then sneak his way into Mr. football contention&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Possible Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd Buchanan: (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209539' first='Jayden' last='Moore']</strong>, (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209527' first='Darin' last='Shannon']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GCA: (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301391' first='Weston' last='Edmondson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davidson Acad.: (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199752' first='Wilks' last='Biggs']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>USJ: (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1080185' first='Noah' last='Spencer']</strong>, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1126012' first='Jackson' last='Pugh']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1155252,"width":"469px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Wes-Harper.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1155252" style="width:469px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->