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How Players Are Selected

Let’s be clear: This is NOT a recruiting list.

We have 70 schools in our coverage map, and selecting players is difficult.

Players are selected based on a number of variables, such as (an in no particular order):

• Overall player talent level
• 2020 individual success: stats, awards
• 2020 team success
• Competition level
• Coach nominations/recommendations
• 5Star Preps staff evaluations/feedback
• Hudl film evaluations

Now, let’s get to the teams…

2020 All-5Star Preps Football Teams

Offensive POY: Parker Hughes (Elizabethton)

Defensive POY: Grey Carroll (Alcoa)

Coach of the Year: Joe Gaddis (Oak Ridge)

OFFENSE

OFFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

Lance Williams (Alcoa, sophomore): The 6-4, 300-pound left tackle and SEC recruit has two years’ worth of starts under his belt, having helped lead Alcoa to state titles in 2019 and 2020. 

Bryce Goodner (McMinn County, senior): The Virginia Tech signee helped pave the way for a 2,000-yard rusher and a 9-1 regular season for the Cherokees.

David Hull (South-Doyle, senior): The 6-6, 300-pound tackle was the Region 2-5A lineman of the year, allowing just two sacks in 14 games. 

Cole Morganstern (Elizabethton, senior): An Air Force signee, the 6-3, 285-pound tackle and two-time all-stater played a big part in the Cyclones repeating as 4A state champions.

Jackson Bradley (Webb, senior): The 6-5, 300-pound Bradley’s was one of the area’s most dominant linemen in 2020. His recruitment picked up because of it, and he committed to Cornell.

Kevin Burkett (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior): An all-state selection and Elon commitment, the 6-4, 295-pound Burkett more than made his presence felt as an offensive lineman and defensive lineman.

Hayden Todd (Catholic, junior): The 6-4, 307-pound Todd is a three-year starter for the Irish and an all-state selection in 2020.

SECOND TEAM

Cal Grubbs (Maryville, sophomore): The 6-4, 270-pound Grubbs started at center all season for the 6A state semifinalist Rebels. 

Trevor Abdella (Maryville, junior): The 6-1, 285-pound junior has been a mainstay up front for the Rebels, clearing the way for 1,500-yard rusher Parker McGill this past fall.

Malachi Hayden (Meigs County, senior): The Tigers ran for more than 3,500 yards in 2020 and reached the 2A BlueCross Bowl. Hayden (6-3, 290) had a big hand in that.

Brady Cash (Central, junior): The offensive tackle helped Central run for more than 2,000 yards in 2020 while also only allowing one sack in 12 games.

Jackson Kelley (Rockwood, senior): The 6-4, 300-pound Kelley excelled on both sides of the line for the Tigers in 2020. He was a TSWA All-State selection in 2020 on offense.

Tyler Jeffries (Alcoa, sophomore): Jeffries (6-5, 305) has SEC recruiters after him. After transferring from Greenback, Jeffries became a key component up front around Week 5. 

Brycen Hodges (Powell, senior): At 6-5 and 260 pounds, Hodges has been one of the top area linemen and in Class 5A. Hodges helped in Powell averaging more than 35 points and nearly 400 yards of offense per game.

QUARTERBACKS

FIRST TEAM

Bryson Rollins (Elizabethton, junior): The Mr. Football finalist led the Cyclones to another perfect season and 4A championship. He was 124-for-182 passing (68.1 percent) for 2,289 yards and 32 TDs. He also rushed 964 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Luke Myers (South Greene, junior): The Mr. Football finalist completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,522 yards and 18 TDs for South Greene (12-1). Myers also had 181 carries, 1,459 yards rushing and 25 scores on the ground.

SECOND TEAM

Carson Jones (Maryville, junior): In his first season as the starter at Maryville, Jones led the Rebels to the 6A state semifinals, completing 152 of 198 passes (76.7 percent) for 2,001 yards and 22 touchdowns. He ran 87 times for 406 yards and five TDs.

Jordyn Potts (Powell, sophomore): A highlight-reel waiting to happen, Potts proved himself early with game-winning throws against Beech and Anderson County. He wound up a 5A Mr. Football semifinalist, having thrown for 2,590 yards and 28 touchdowns.

RUNNING BACKS

FIRST TEAM

Jalen Hunt (McMinn County, senior): The 6A Mr. Football finalist and Tennessee State signee ran 227 times for an area-best 2,451 yards and 27 touchdowns in only 11 games. He ran for more than 5,600 yards in his career.

Shawn Gary (South-Doyle, junior): One of the 2020 season’s breakout players, Gary’s emergence helped catapult South-Doyle to the 5A semifinals. He rushed 275 times for 1,757 yards and 18 touchdowns, despite not starting the season as a running back.

DeSean Bishop (Karns, sophomore): The 2020 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year rushed for 1,731 yards in nine games with 22 rushing TDs, 265 yards receiving, two TD catches, two pass TDs and a kickoff return score.

J.D. Dunn (CAK, junior): CAK took many by surprise in 2020, and Dunn played a big part in that. The Division II-AA Mr. Football finalist finished with 2,091 yards and 25 touchdowns on 274 carries for the Warriors.

SECOND TEAM

Ahmaudd Sankey (Alcoa, senior): The Southeast Missouri State signee proved durable once again for the 3A champion Tornadoes, tallying 157 carries for 1,177 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Parker McGill (Maryville, senior): The recent commitment to the University of the Cumberlands, McGill had his best season as a Rebel in 2020. He logged 185 carries for 1,471 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

Will Meadows (Meigs County, senior): The Class 2A Mr. Football finalist helped the Tigers reached the 2A championship game. He concluded his prep career with 1,859 rush yards this past fall with 32 touchdowns on 222 carries. 

Kendall Jackson (Oak Ridge, junior): Jackson battled through injury in 2020 but found form when it mattered and helped the Wildcats reach the 5A BlueCross Bowl. The FBS prospect finished with 1,059 yards and 10 TDs. 

WIDE RECEIVER

FIRST TEAM

Parker Hughes (Elizabethton, senior): The Class 4A Mr. Football and 2020 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year led the Cyclones to another state title. He caught 62 passes for 1,326 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 539 yards and seven TDs. He also intercepted six passes as a defensive back and made 45 tackles.

Brayden Anderson (Alcoa, senior): Averaging more than 20 yards per catch, the 6-3 Anderson caught 42 passes for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 43.6 yards per punt (24 punts) and also made a team-high five interceptions as a defensive back.

Matthew White (Farragut, senior): White rarely had an off night. He caught 52 passes in 11 games for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns. White also rushed 28 times for 170 yards (6.1 yards per carry).

Liam Fortner (Central, senior): The Army signee was called upon relentlessly for the Bobcats in 2020, and he delivered. He ran 87 times for 536 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught 64 passes for 869 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also made 47 tackles and intercepted two passes.

SECOND TEAM

Micah Simpson (Morristown East, junior): Some 15 of Simpson’s 35 catches this past season went for touchdowns. He also amassed 821 yards receiving.

Jayden Collins (Powell, junior): Collins was Powell’s big-play guy consistently all season, racking up 802 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns on 39 catches.

Pierce Browning (Grace Christian, sophomore): Browning made 91 catches for 1,314 yards and nine touchdowns, excelling because of drive, work ethic and route running.

Ja’Chim Williams (The King’s Academy, senior): One of the better two-way athletes in the area, William punctuated his prep career with 50 catches for 917 yards and 12 touchdowns while also racking up 51 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions.

TIGHT END

FIRST TEAM

Taharin Sudderth (Alcoa, senior): The Division I prospect entered the season as a threat at defensive end. And while he still excelled there, he showed great versatility as a tight end, making 14 catches for 342 yards and six touchdowns.

Terrell Brown (South-Doyle, senior): Brown played linebacker, defensive end, tight end, running back. He did it all. He caught 25 passes for 514 yards and six TDs, rushed for 138 yards and five TDs, intercepted a pass, made 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks

SECOND TEAM

Tyler Wilson (Sevier County, senior): The Lindsey Wilson commitment caught 68 passes for 863 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Bryson Shown (Gibbs, senior): In addition to being one of the area’s top linebackers, Shown finished with 342 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

ATHLETES

FIRST TEAM

Shannon Blair (West, junior): Not only did Blair lead West in receptions (35), receiving yards (395) and receiving TDs (five) but he also returned a kickoff for a score and a punt for a score. And, he had four defensive interceptions and 21 tackles.

Cam Burden (Alcoa, senior): A Charlotte signee, Burden will likely be a defensive player in college. He made 56 tackles with nine tackles for loss and four sacks in 2020 as a linebacker. But he also had two rushing TDs, passed for 392 yards and nine touchdowns and had 62 yards receiving and a touchdown for the Tornadoes in their 3A championship run in 2020.

Kolby Morgan (Oneida, senior): Though he had other Division I offers as a running back and punter, Morgan plans to walk-on at Tennessee. This past season, he amassed 1,800 all-purpose yards and 16 rush touchdowns, The 2A Mr. Football semifinalist also averaged 40.1 yards per punt.

Tommy Winton (Catholic, junior): An SEC prospect, Winton battled through a hamstring injury early in the season and still averaged 25.5 yards per catch this past fall. He led the Irish with 510 receiving yards and was productive in punt returns and in Catholic’s run attack.

SECOND TEAM

Josh Godwin Miller (Anderson County, senior): The diminutive senior led the Mavericks in scoring (22 touchdowns). He had 38 catches for 956 yards and 14 TDs to go with 244 yards rushing and seven scores. He had a kickoff return score, 21 tackles and an interception.

J.J. Foust (Powell, sophomore): Some like him as a receiver. Others, as a linebacker. Foust is good at both. He had 49 catches for 586 yards and six scores. On defense, he made 76 tackles with eight tackles for loss, two sacks and two defensive touchdowns.

Nakelin McAfee (The King’s Academy, junior): McAfee earned Division II-A Mr. Football semifinalist honors. He ran for 1,008 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns. He had 425 yards receiving with a touchdown. And, on defense, he had 45 tackles with four forced fumbles and three interceptions.

McKenzie Lunsford (Loudon, senior): The Region 3-3A Athlete of the Year had 605 yards rushing, 16 rushing touchdowns, 542 yards receiving, four receiving touchdowns, 24 tackles and two interceptions.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

Grey Carroll (Alcoa, senior): The Class 3A Mr. Football and 5Star Preps Defensive Player of the Year made 68 tackles with 24.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles while leading Alcoa to another state title.

Levi Herald (South-Doyle, junior): Herald isn’t your prototypical defensive lineman but he couldn’t be stopped. He rang up 97 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks to help the Cherokees reach the 5A semifinals.

Lou Burchfield (Maryville, senior): The Lindsey Wilson commitment powered Maryville’s defense with 125 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two sacks.

Jaryd Gable (McMinn County, junior): Gable put up some big numbers in 11 games for the Cherokees, ringing up 90 tackles with 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and six sacks.

Andrew Gilbert (West, senior): A member of one of the top defensive units in the area, Gilbert gave West a significant push up front. He made 59 tackles with 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.

Xander Allen (Halls, senior): In just nine games in 2020, Allen put up an eye-popping 29 tackles for loss with 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and 85 tackles.

Jaxon Adams (Oak Ridge, senior): Adams was a driving defensive force in helping Oak Ridge reach the 5A state championship game, recording 48 tackles with 7.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.

SECOND TEAM

Mustafi Algarawi (Pigeon Forge, senior): A fiery competitor, Algarawi gained tons of respect with his play as a senior: 133 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and four QB hurries.

Seth Vaughn (Fulton, junior): Fulton’s defensive front earned a great deal of respect in 2020, and Vaughn aided in that with 39 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Logan Sims (CAK, senior): The defensive end piled up stats all season to the tune of 76 tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine sacks, three fumble recoveries, two blocked punts and two defensive touchdowns.

TaShaun Patrick (South-Doyle, senior): Patrick more than doubled his productivity from 2019 and helped SoDo reach the semifinals with 72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Mark Adams Jr. (Central, junior): Adams once again helped forge a strong defense for Central and he did so with 41 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Noah Giger (West, junior): Giger moved from linebacker to defensive line and still produced. He gave the Rebels 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and five sacks.

CJ King (Oneida, junior): At 6-5 and 370 pounds, it’s no wonder King was selected by coaches as the Region 2-2A defensive lineman of the year. 

LINEBACKERS

FIRST TEAM

Kalib Fortner (Central, senior): The Army signee and Class 5A Mr. Football finalist capped his stellar prep career with 85 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups and two interceptions.

Noah Myers (South-Doyle, senior): The Gardner-Webb signee helped the Cherokees reach the 5A state semifinals with 94 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

Major Newman (Alcoa, junior): The 6-foot-3 Newman was one of the top players on Alcoa’s vaunted defense. He made 69 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine QB pressures, two sacks, an interception, four pass breakups and had three defensive TDs.

Eli Purcell (Farragut, senior): The 230-pound Wofford signee was undoubtedly the top player on Farragut’s defense and he made 90 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Ethan Scott (West, senior): Scott was one of the surprise stars of 2020. He made 100 tackles, with 18.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions and two defensive TDs.

Chi McNeil-Harrison (CAK, junior): The 6-4 McNeil-Harrison did it all for the Warriors. He had 77 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and six interceptions.

SECOND TEAM

Leo Bonifacio (Webb, junior): In just 10 games for the Spartans, Bonifacio made 93 tackles with eight tackles for loss, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Deuce Morton (Elizabethton, senior): Morton spearheaded the Elizabethton defense during their 4A title run with 136 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

Stone Cummins (Anderson County, senior): One of the hardest working and playing linebackers in the area, Cummins’ final season went like this: 127 tackles, five sacks, 15 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

Camden Kuhn (Farragut, senior): The 6-4, 200-pound Kuhn recorded 78 tackles with nine tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception for the Admirals.

Hussein Al-Sultani (Pigeon Forge, senior): One of the area’s top athletes, Al-Sultani made 77 tackles and had 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.

Storm Livesay (Claiborne, senior): Not only did Livesay rush for more than 1,300 yards as a senior, but he also made 87 tackles with 22 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and an interception.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

FIRST TEAM

Isiah Cox (Alcoa, senior): The top-ranked player in 5Star Preps’ Class of 2021 rankings, Cox signed with Cincinnati and was a Class 3A Mr. Football semifinalist.

D.J. Burks (Maryville, junior): One of the area’s top prospects in the Class of 2022, Burks led all of 5Star Preps in interceptions (nine). He also made 101 tackles.

Javis Mynatt (Catholic, junior): An elite cover corner, Mynatt finished second in tackles for the Fighting Irish in 2020 and forced two fumbles. 

Elijah Rogers (West, sophomore): Pulling double duty as one of West’s top receivers, Rogers also made 33 tackles and intercepted three passes for the Rebels.

Preston Sisler (South-Doyle, senior): Sisler had a monster year for the Cherokees, making 60 tackles, three tackles for loss and six interceptions. He returned those six picks for 127 yards and one for a TD. He also led the team in receiving (810).

Jake Roberts (Elizabethton, junior): The MVP of the 2020 Class 4A BlueCross Bowl finished the season with 27 tackles, four tackles for loss and five interceptions.

SECOND TEAM

Preston Turner (Oak Ridge, senior): Turner helped Oak Ridge make a run to the 5A BlueCross Bowl, recording 41 tackles, four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

Jakobi Gillespie (Greeneville, junior): An all-state selection, Gillespie rang up 48 tackles with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

Carson Whitehead (Powell, junior): Whitehead was one of the area’s surprise talents in 2020, making 72 tackles with seven pass breakups and five interceptions (two returned for TDs).

Logan Foody (Farragut, senior): The 6-1, 200-pound defensive back made 40 tackles with three interceptions this past fall. He recently committed to Dayton.

Cole Adams (Oak Ridge, senior): A big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball, Adams checks in here as a DB. His 2020? How about 81 tackles, four interceptions, five fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.

Jalan James (McMinn County, senior): Also one of the Cherokees’ top offensive playmakers, James made 47 tackles in 2020 with eight tackles for loss, six interceptions and six pass breakups.

SPECIALISTS

FIRST TEAM

Bryson Flynn (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior): Flynn was a Mr. Football Kicker semifinalist. He made 7 of 9 field goals in 2020 with a long of 47, scoring 49 total points. He averaged 45.7 yards per punt and had 36 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Ewan Johnson (South-Doyle, senior): Johnson booted through 10 of 17 field goals with a long of 55. He made 48 of 52 PATs, averaged 36.5 yards per punt (long 58) and had 65 touchbacks in 75 attempts.

Josh Turbyville (Catholic, junior): The 6-1, 190-pound Turbyville has a monster leg. His kickoffs find the end zone or beyond, and he boomed 15 punts for a 40.6-yard average. He downed four punts inside the 20 and had a long of 58.

SECOND TEAM

Ross Badgett (CAK, senior): Badgett converted 38 of 39 PATs and 9 of 16 field goals (long 43) while also sending 28 of 60 kickoffs for touchbacks.

Daniel Bethel (Anderson County, senior): Bethel made five field goals, 54 PATS and sent 70 of 87 kickoff attempts into the end zone for touchbacks. He also averaged 36.4 yards per punt (long 50).

Brock Taylor (Catholic, sophomore): Taylor had an elite year kicking, making five of six field goals with a long of 47. His lone miss was from 52 yards. He also made 28 of 29 PATs.