Five 2026 Signal Callers to Know in Tennessee Before High School

At a quick glance through the last 30-40 years of the National Football, the quarterbacks born and raised in the state of Tennessee don’t exactly jump off the page at you. If you look at the list, the most notable names are Kelly Holcomb of Fayetteville—who appeared in 37 career games, reached the end zone 39 times and boasted an 8-and-16 career record as a starter—and Chad Pennington of Knoxville, who was a 1st round pick of the New York Jets in 2000 and plays for 11 seasons. While making it to the league is an accomplishment in itself, neither Pennington or Holcomb made a Pro Bowl, nor are they in the conversation for GOAT status. However, there are a few young signal callers in the Volunteer State that are hoping to change the narrative on if QB1’s in the NFL can play like their country music counterparts. Here’s a look at a few 2026 (currently in 8th grade) quarterbacks to keep an eye on as they moved forward. [caption id="attachment_212820" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212820 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/KeeganBouwkamp-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Twitter[/caption] Keegan Bouwkamp | Lipscomb Academy While we’re naming Quarterbacks from yesteryear, let’s add in Trent Dilfer, who is the head coach of Nashville-based Lipscomb Academy where Bouwkamp is waiting in the wings. Bouwkamp is listed between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot and weighs between 145 and 155 pounds, depending on what you read. The southpaw has some wicked arm strength and certainly can deliver the ball with some pop. While his throwing motion may be a little unorthodox right now, it hasn’t stopped him from finding success on the camp scene—highlighted by an MVP performance at the FBU Futures Showcase last July. I feel Bouwkamp is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, as he already possesses clean footwork and solid ball security while dropping back. It also won’t hurt having a Super Bowl-winning Head Coach who just happens to have played the same position. <img class="alignleft wp-image-212821 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BlaineStansberry-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="205650" first="Blaine" last="Stansberry"] | Norris Middle School The first thing that is very evident in watching Stansberry is just how unapologetically confident is while in command of the offense. The 5-foot-11, 170 pound righty has a powerful arm and trusts himself to get the rock into small or quickly-closing windows for his receivers. It also helps that he is the size of a good prep-aged linebacker and isn’t afraid to let defenses know he’s down to bang the pads. On the run he’s deadly accurate for a quarterback at this age and development, almost appearing more comfortable rolling out of the pocket than staying in there. Which leads to another important part of Stansberry’s game—his ability to scramble and make plays happen with his feet. I’m not saying their exact abilities rival each other, but think of how Tim Tebow executed for the Florida Gators as a dual-threat, and that’s a fair comparison to what this young man can bring to the table. <img class="alignleft wp-image-212822 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BriggsCherry-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Briggs Cherry | Knoxville Catholic Youth Program If Josh Heupel and the staff at Tennessee want to get an early jump on the future, they may not have to look too far to find Cherry. Playing in the figurative shadows of Neyland Stadium, Cherry was named to the Tennessee Future Stars team this past summer and helped Tennessee grind out a 15-13 victory over Kentucky. In Cherry, you have your classic pocket passer who excels out of the shotgun with an empty backfield. In other words, he tosses the rock all over the field with ease and has a knack for the big play downfield. He’s also one of the most well-traveled quarterbacks in the state, winning MVP or earning top honors at the Gunslinger QB Challenge, QB Universe and Future 4 Showcase. Furthermore, Tennessee fans will love the fact that he’s trained by former Volunteer quarterback Erik Ainge, who went on to be a second round pick of the New York Jets. [caption id="attachment_212823" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212823 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BrysonHolt-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Instagram[/caption] Bryson Holt | Nashville Christian School Breaking the huddle for the Eagles of Nashville Christian is an athlete in Holt that is about as intriguing as they come at this age. To this point the national buzz surrounding Holt isn’t as loud some of the previously mentioned quarterbacks, but he has every bit of the ability. This past summer Holt was selected to represent Tennessee on the Tennessee Future Stars team against Kentucky. Holt’s recipe to success certainly starts with the off-field work he puts in with nationally-acclaimed National Playmakers Academy and his speed training with Beasley Elite Sports. The do-it-all, modest, young star certainly passes the eye test at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds with dual-threat ability. Madden Guffey | Seymour Junior High Guffey is a very intriguing young prospect at the quarterback position in the state. Development happens in different stages, at different times, for multiple of reasons at this age; and while currently he doesn’t have the mustard on the throws as some of the previously mentioned field generals nor the difference-making speed—Guffey is a quarterback most programs in the state would be dying to have. Watching his film, he’s a dual-threat in every sense of the word who makes extremely good decisions with the football. I love the way he’s not afraid to stay in the pocket to complete a pass with defenses breathing down his neck. On the other side of the coin when he scrambles he’s smart enough to duck out of bounds to avoid any potential fumbles. The 5-foot-11, 150 pound lefty has a lot of ability and with continued development, he’s going to be a next-level prospect at some division.