2022 All-5Star Preps Underclassman Football Team Selections

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2022 All-5Star Preps Football Underclassman Team Selections

PRESENTED BY THRIVENT FINANCIAL 

Please note: this is NOT a recruiting list or prospect list.

How Teams Are Selected:

• 2025 and 2026 players only
• Coach Nominations
• 2022 Season Stats – Varsity Only
• Impact on Varsity Level
• 5Star Preps Talent Assessments/Hudl Review
• Early College Interest

QUARTERBACKS

FIRST TEAM

Jayden Neal (Catholic, sophomore, 5-11, 180)
Neal completed 185 of 326 passes for 2,586 yards and 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns.

Landen Hensley (Campbell County, sophomore, 6-1, 180)
Hensley completed 237 of 365 passes for 3,244 yards and 39 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. He was Region 3-5A Newcomer of the Year.

SECOND TEAM

Drew Parrott (Bearden, sophomore, 5-9, 160)
Parrott completed 201 of 325 passes for 2,156 yards passing and 16 touchdowns against 14 interceptions; Also ran for 214 yards and four touchdowns.

Weston Edmondson (Grace Christian, sophomore, 6-5, 205)
Edmondson completed 129 of 202 attempts for, 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The 6-5 QB will definitely be one to watch in the recruiting game.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Luke Treece (Coalfield, sophomore), Briggs Cherry (Catholic, freshman), Wyatt Howard (Pigeon Forge, sophomore), Madden McNeil (Greenback, freshman), Madden Guffey (Seymour, freshman), D.J. Thompson (Northview Academy, sophomore), Amari Lethgo (Halls, freshman).

 

RUNNING BACKS

FIRST TEAM

Connor Wheeler (Powell, sophomore, 5-9, 160)
The 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year ran 203 times for, 1,693 yards and 21 touchdowns, helping Powell reach the 5A state semifinals. He also logged 29 catches for 205 yards and a TD. He returned six punts for 179 yards and a TD. He amassed 288 kickoff return yards. And, he made 64 tackles, with 13 pass breakups and two INTs.

Tegan Avera (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore, 5-11, 170)
Avera ran 283 carries in 13 games, racking up 2,054 yards and 29 touchdowns during the Highlanders’ 11-win campaign. He also made 16 catches for 259 yards and two TDs. He had a 277-yard game against Coosa Christian and a 52-carry, 329-yard, five-TD night against Chuckey-Doak in the second round.

SECOND TEAM

Baxter Johnson (Webb School of Knoxville, freshman, 6-1, 160)
Stepped in for injured starter and ran 90 times for 654 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jaxon Jett (Oliver Springs, freshman, 5-10, 160)
Jett had 628 yards rushing with seven  TDs and 20 catches for 351 yards and four  TDs. He also had 38 tackles and two interceptions.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Kai Ironside (Bearden, sophomore), Tate Mason (Midway, freshman), Cameron Richards (Morristown East, sophomore), Jaiden Bunch (Coalfield, freshman), Shawn Jackson (Jefferson County, freshman), Alijah Davidson (TKA, freshman).

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

FIRST TEAM

Shavar Young (Webb School of Knoxville, freshman, 6-0, 160)
Young helped Webb reach the Division II-AA semifinals with 40 catches, 664 yards and nine touchdowns; Also made 32 tackles with two interceptions and a 29.3 punt-return average.

Luke Cannon (Alcoa, sophomore, 6-2, 170)
Cannon came on strong as the season wore on and helped pace Alcoa’s offense with eight receiving touchdowns in a state-championship run; he had three receiving TDs in Class 3A championship.

Marquail “Detroit” Patterson (South-Doyle, sophomore, 5-8, 175)
In his first year playing football, Patterson caught 46 passes in 10 game for 727 yards and five touchdowns. Hard to bring down, Patterson excelled in yards after the catch.

Tyreek King (Catholic, freshman, 5-11, 160)
King came into the high school ranks with many eyes on him. He delivered a solid freshman campaign, catching 26 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns. He’s already on college recruiting radars.

SECOND TEAM

Landon Quinney (Wartburg, sophomore, 6-2, 160)
The 6-2 Quinney was definitely not easy to corral in 2022, catching 75 passes for the Bulldogs for 1,066 yards and nine touchdowns.

Derrick Smith (Fulton, sophomore, 5-10, 150)
Smith caught 28 passes for 465 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2022 season. His receiving yards were second best on the team, and his nine receiving touchdowns led the Falcons.

Jeriah Griffin (Elizabethton, sophomore, 5-10, 150)
By Week 3, Griffin cemented his spot on the field. From there, he proved a valuable weapon for the Cyclones offense. He caught 35 passes for 548 yards and four touchdowns. He also picked off two passes on defense.

Eli Kelso (Loudon, Sophomore, 6-0, 160)
Kelso led the Loudon Redskins (7-5) in receptions (24), receiving yards (412) and receiving touchdowns (five)

ALSO CONSIDERED: Greg Tate (Webb School of Knoxville, freshman), Landon Vest (Halls, sophomore), Drew Ross (Halls, sophomore), Bryson Maddox (Clinton, freshman), Teegan Bolinger (Clinton, sophomore), Devonte Wigfall (Cosby, sophomore).

 

TIGHT ENDS

FIRST TEAM
Eli Owens (Alcoa, sophomore, 6-3, 230)
A Power 5 prospect with offers from the likes of Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan and more, Owens led Alcoa in receptions (47), receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

SECOND TEAM
Daniel Sackie (Central, sophomore, 6-0, 165)
Sackie led the Bobcats in receptions (19) and receiving yards (387) during his sophomore season. He also caught a pair of touchdowns.

 

ATHLETES

Kolby Barrett (Alcoa, freshman, 6-1, 175)
In addition to his wide receiver duties, Barrett also wound up a major impact player as a defensive back. He finished the season with 67 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.

Tory Beaufort (Bearden, freshman, 5-7, 155)
The diminutive but powerful and shifty all-purpose back led Bearden with 49 catches and finished with 496 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged better than 20 yards per kickoff return.

Jayzon Thompson (Bearden, freshman, 5-10, 175)
A speedy athlete who’ll be on recruiting radars galore, Thompson had 15 catches as a freshman but also logged 300 yards rushing.

Carson Quillen (Greeneville, sophomore, 5-10, 185)
The Region 1-4A Athlete of the Year was an all-state selection with 563 yards rushing and seven touchdowns to go with 396 yards receiving. He wound up with 1,242 all-purpose yards, 66 tackles and three interceptions.

Jeremiah Lee (Clinton, sophomore, 5-9, 170)
Lee had 23 catches, kicked three PATS, had 39 kickoffs, logged 312 kick return yards, 136 punt return yards, made 34 tackles and deflected four passes on defense.

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

Nic Moore (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-3, 270)
A 10-game starter, Moore brings a next-level ability to the field, especially given he has offers from Ole Miss and Louisville already.

Mason Smith (Coalfield, sophomore, 6-3, 260)
An all-state selection in Class 1A, Smith does work on both sides of the ball. He helped Coalfield (12-2) reach the 1A state semifinals in 2022.

LeState Williams (Clinton, sophomore, 6-3, 275)
Williams didn’t allow a sack all season in 2022. And colleges are starting to take notice of his skill set, too. Miami-Ohio, Charlotte and Eastern Kentucky have offered.

Alex Boyd (Maryville, sophomore, 6-3, 250)
When you start every game on the OL at Maryville, you’re worthy — especially when you fill the left tackle spot like Boyd.

Camden Goforth (McMinn County, freshman, 6-3, 260)
A 12-game starter at tackle for the Cherokees, Goforth gets physical at the point of contact and can quickly get into the second level and create a secondary ripple effect.

Otto Janse Vanrensburg (Sevier County, sophomore, 6-4, 280)
An All-Region 2-5A selection, Vanrensburg is a two-year starter for the Smoky Bears and the highest-graded lineman on the squad.

Isaiah Harvey (Bearden, sophomore, 6-2, 290)
It all starts with the center position, and Harvey is one of the best around, regardless of class. He keyed a big run for Bearden in 6A in 2022.

SECOND TEAM

Bishop Merriweather (Greeneville, freshman, 6-4, 320)
Jacob Rice (Northview Academy, freshman, 6-3, 250)
Jackson Case (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore, 6-4, 250)
Bryson Daugherty (Lenoir City, sophomore, 6-4, 280)
Gage Eldridge (Stone Memorial, sophomore, 6-4, 260)
Vincent Alfini (Wartburg, sophomore, 6-3, 285)
Solomon Jorge (Pigeon Forge, freshman, 6-2, 320)

ALSO CONSIDERED: Kamryn Melton (Stone Memorial, sophomore), Lucas Wilson (Wartburg, sophomore), Christian Wilson (Jefferson County, freshman), Cade Brown (TKA, freshman), Luke Morris (Greenback, freshman), Eli Dorton (Campbell County, sophomore), Ace Cagle (McMinn County, freshman), Luke Carroll (Campbell County, sophomore), Robert Gambill (Northview, sophomore).

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

Carson Nivens (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 5-6, 225)
The 2022 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year made 72 tackles with 19 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 11 QB pressures, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a safety and a defensive TD. He was also named Region 2-1A Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Jake Holbert (Central, sophomore, 6-1, 285)
The Region 2-5A Newcomer of the Year gave the Bobcats 65 tackles and 12 tackles for loss during the 2022 season.

Israel Hurd (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-3, 250)
With prototypical size, Hurd can play on the edge or inside. His wingspan creates havoc for QBs and ballcarriers alike. Keep an eye on him in the recruiting realm.

D’Andre Hundley (Austin-East, freshman, 6-1, 190)
Hundley is definitely one to watch in 2023. As a freshman last year, he made 44 tackles with 11 TFL, three sacks, sacks, five QB pressures, a safety and a blocked field goal.

SECOND TEAM

Kayden Melton (McMinn County, sophomore, 6-0, 175)
Melton worked the edges for 99 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 14 QB hurries, four fumble recoveries and two sacks.

Ethan Hill (Bearden, freshman, 6-0, 210)
Hill played a ton of meaningful minutes on one of the state’s best defensive units and racked up 38 tackles and four tackles for loss.

Brandon Iezzi (Greeneville, sophomore, 6-2, 275)
Iezzi’s size and ability helped Greeneville on both sides of the football in 2022, excelling on defense at the tackle position.

Caden Jackson (Oliver Springs, sophomore)
Alongside Nivens, Jackson helped comprise a disruptive OS front with 12 tackles for loss, 56 tackles, two forced fumbles and five sacks.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Jack Hamilton (TKA, freshman), Jackson Montgomery (McMinn County, sophomore).

 

LINEBACKERS

FIRST TEAM

Jude Costner (Sevier County, sophomore, 6-1, 190)
The All-Region 2-5A selection piled up 70 tackles for the Smoky Bears, along with seven tackles for loss, five sacks and two pass breakups.

Sebastian Correa (Loudon, sophomore, 6-1, 200)
In addition to his kicking duties and occasional wildcat offensive snaps, Correa made all-region thanks to his 73 tackles, two sacks and forced fumble.

Chance Shapiro (Tellico Plains, sophomore, 5-9, 175)
Shapiro was a consistent producer for Tellico, racking up 89 tackles in 2022 with 18 tackles for loss, five sacks and a defensive touchdown.

Drew Armbrister (Greeneville, sophomore, 5-10, 195)
One of the best newcomers in Region 1-4A, Armbrister finished with 52 tackles, 33 assists, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and three pass breakups this past fall.

Brady Hughes (Gibbs, sophomore, 5-9, 155)
Hughes turned out be an all-region performer in the 2022 season and finished with 87 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.

SECOND TEAM

Eli Justice (Coalfield, sophomore, 5-10, 150)
All all-region selection, Justice helped Coalfield reach the 1A semifinals with 65 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Alex Idol (Karns, sophomore, 5-10, 225)
A hard-nosed performer, Idol recorded 66 tackles for the Beavers in 2022 with 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Taeshuane Hamilton (Kingston, freshman, 5-8, 155)
This 2026 defender wound up starting seven games for Kingston and making 35 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Hunter Toney (Halls, sophomore, 5-9, 175)
Toney filled in for Halls’ leader Caden Earle when Earle got injured. Toney had 78 tackles in six games with six tackles for loss.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Michael Stewart (Hardin Valley, sophomore), Ben Reece (Gatlinburg-Pittman), Cole Jackson (Oliver Springs, sophomore), Cade Stinnett (Greenback, freshman), Eli Harrison (Lenoir City, sophomore), Cam Miller (McMinn County, sophomore), Brody Rogers (Halls, freshman), Archer Laney (Northview Academy, sophomore)

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

FIRST TEAM

Chaston Smith (Bearden, freshman, 6-1, 155)
An elite cornerback with offers from the likes of Michigan, Vanderbilt and Louisville, Smith helped comprise a beast of a Bearden defense. He wound up with 35 tackles, five pass breakups and an interception when QBs dared throw his way.

Hal Niendorff (Webb, sophomore, 5-11, 180)
One of the breakthrough underclassman stars of the 2022 season, Niendorff made 69 tackles for state-semifinalist Webb with four interceptions, a defensive touchdown and three pass breakups.

Torin McAfee (Central, freshman, 6-1, 150)
McAfee proved an instant-impact player for the Bobcats in his first year of high school and varsity play, snagging five interceptions and making 50 tackles.

Eli Graf (Alcoa, sophomore, 5-8, 155)
One of the more versatile all-purpose athletes around, regardless of class, Graf intercepted five passes as a defensive back in addition to his spot QB duties and various snaps on offense.

Decoriyeon Brown (Austin-East, sophomore, 6-2, 175)
A sneaky good athlete who deserves more shine, Brown made 50 tackles with four tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and a pair of interceptions for the Roadrunners this past fall.

SECOND TEAM

Austin Brannan (Morristown East, sophomore, 5-10, 160)
Brannan really shows he does his homework and is capable in skill set; he started 11 games, making three interceptions and numerous PBUs

Darius Bass (Lenoir City, sophomore, 5-10, 170)
Bass started nine games for the Panthers in 2022, piling up more than 20 tackles, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Levi James (Oneida, sophomore, 6-0, 140)
An all-region performer, James made 71 tackles for Oneida, which ranked third on the team. He intercepted two passes, as well.

Malachi Nunez (McMinn County, sophomore, 6-1, 170)
A sure-tackling safety, Nunez had 44 tackles with three tackles for loss and three interceptions for the Cherokees in 2022.

Gabe Holmes (Halls, freshman, 6-0, 150)
Holmes had a big impact as a freshman on the Halls varsity defense, finishing with 42 tackles and four interceptions.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Hunter Karnes (Gibbs, sophomore), Cody Lewis (Greenback, freshman), Luke Davis (Grainger, freshman), Javaston Badgett (Central, freshman), Darius Bass (Lenoir City, sophomore), Bryson Headrick (Sevier County, freshman), Javier Wharton (Northview, sophomore), Tres Scates (Halls, sophomore), Keshawn Mills (Bearden, freshman), Raymond Thomas (Fulton, sophomore)

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Dylan Stooksbury (Powell, sophomore)
Stooksbury averaged 41.1 yards per punt on 33 attempts while making 3 of 5 field goals (long of 42). Stooksbury also booted through 51 of 55 PATs.

Caleb Campbell (Elizabethton, sophomore)
Campbell was perfect on PAT tries in 2022, making all 42 that he attempted. He was also 2-for-4 kicking on field goals with a long of 34.

Daniel Kinney (Bearden, sophomore)
Kinney was valuable for the Bulldogs on kickoffs, sending 12 back for touchbacks while making 36 of 39 PATs and 3 of 6 FGs with a long of 44.

Clay Fultz (Webb, freshman)
This 2026 specialist didn’t flinch in the varsity spotlight, making 37 of 39 PATs and 2 of 3 field goals. He also had 13 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Nathan Holbrook (HVA, sophomore)
Holbrook punted 40 times in 2022 for a 39.5-yard average — not to mention, he made a pair of field goals with a long of 37.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Luke Treece (Coalfield, sophomore), Blaine Collins (Clinton, sophomore), Jonah Mitchell (South-Doyle, sophomore), Gavin Thomas (Carter, freshman).