University of Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop won two Tennessee Titans Mr. Football awards during his junior and senior seasons at Karns High School. The above photo is from his senior season in 2022. (Photo by Danny Parker/5Star Preps)
BY JESSE SMITHEY
The TSSAA unveiled its 2025 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalists on Thursday, Nov. 6 — honoring five players in each of the nine classifications, as well as five players for Mr. Football Kicker.
High school football coaches and media around the state nominated players, and a select committee of statewide media members picked the semifinalists, finalists and winners based on: performance, ability, academics and character.
How a player performs in the postseason has NO bearing on the outcome of the Mr. Football Awards, which are based solely off regular-season accomplishments.
Final voting has been completed.
There is no additional voting before finalists are announced NOR before winners are honored.
Finalists will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Nov. 25, by the Tennessee Titans.
Winners will be presented during a ceremony at Nissan Stadium the week after the BlueCross Bowl Championships.
That ceremony is currently slated for Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Nashville.
The 5Star Preps area hasn’t had a Mr. Football winner since Owen Taylor (Halls HS) won Mr. Football Kicker in 2023. No 5Star Preps area skill player or lineman has won Mr. Football since 2022 — DeSean Bishop (Karns, 5A), Marcellus Jackson (Fulton, 4A), Lance Williams (Alcoa, 3A).
2025 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Semifinalists
DIVISION I, CLASS 1A
Cole Brown, McKenzie
Ja’Mychal Buckner, South Pittsburg
Jaiden Bunch, Coalfield
DaYon Cooper, South Pittsburg
Luke Di Pietro, Dresden
DIVISION I, CLASS 2A
Zach Groves, East Robertson
Andrew Johnson, Fairley
Jaydon Peete, Milan
Drew Ray, Lewis County
Kason Young, East Robertson
DIVISION I, CLASS 3A
Marquis Gardner, Chattanooga Prep
Thomas Heffner, Melrose
Brayden Maples, Gatlinburg-Pittman
Quincy Mitchell, Forrest
Graham Simpson, Westview
DIVISION I, CLASS 4A
Zaydyn Anderson, Greeneville
Caden Baugh, Greeneville
Bronzden Chaffin, Upperman
Jermaine Cobbins, Springfield
Thomas Manu, Alcoa
DIVISION I, CLASS 5A
Kamari Blair, Kirkwood
Jaden Haywood, East Hamilton
Kaden Long, Knoxville Central
Cooper Newman, Sevier County
Tay Starks, Munford
DIVISION I, CLASS 6A
Andre Adams, Antioch
Will Jones, Maryville
Kelvin Perkins, Southwind
Craig Tutt, Oakland
Joel Wyatt, Oakland
DIVISION II, CLASS A
Sean Birkofer, Providence Christian
Jared Curtis, Nashville Christian
Nix Fullen, Tipton-Rosemark
Jackson Pugh, USJ
Terry Ward, Nashville Christian
DIVISION II, CLASS AA
Jace Ballard, Knoxville Grace
David Green, Jr., Boyd Buchanan
TJ Jenkins, Lausanne
Kaedyn Marable, BGA
Shavar Young, Knoxville Webb
DIVISION II, CLASS AAA
Kesean Bowman, Brentwood Academy
Briggs Cherry, Baylor School
David Gabriel Georges, Baylor School
Tyreek King, Knoxville Catholic
Hudson Tucker, Briarcrest Christian
KICKER OF THE YEAR
Tommy Bauchiero, Brentwood Academy
Owen Maddox, Notre Dame
Eli Pearson, Oak Ridge
Linkin Phillips, Chester County
Mikel Van Pelt, Gibbs