Anderson County quarterback J.D. Gillum is the 2025 Offensive Underclassman of the Year, presented by Jeremy Cox/THRIVENT.
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
The big stage and bright lights never seemed to faze Anderson County quarterback J.D. Gillum.
For his superlative efforts, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Gillum is the 2025 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year.
The Mavericks’ highly touted freshman certainly lived up to his billing as a protégé despite weighty expectations.
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Gillum, who missed several valuable weeks of the early season with a collarbone injury, still led Anderson County to a 9-3 record.
In just nine games, he completed 118 of 193 passes for 1,776 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The highlights were memorable.
In the final week of the regular season, Gillum helped the Mavericks upset No. 1-ranked and eventual state 4A champion Alcoa 31-30.
Gillum threw the game-winning touchdown pass against the mighty Tornadoes and completed 10 of 19 throws for 247 yards and four TDs.
The loss ended Alcoa’s 22-game winning streak, but the Tornadoes would rebound and go on to win their 11th consecutive state title.
In a season-ending 28-21 loss at Greeneville in the playoff quarterfinals, Gillum was 23 of 44 for 351 yards and a touchdown.
“Getting out on the circuit at a young age like he did there comes the good with the bad,” said Anderson County coach Davey Gillum, who is also J.D.’s father.
“He had a lot of pressure on him and a lot to live up to,” continued Davey Gillum.
“I thought he did about as well as he could have with the injury and all.”
Davey Gillum said that one of his son’s strengths is his ability to embrace the big challenge.
“The Alcoa game was huge,” said the AC coach.
“A lot of good comes from having to perform under pressure like that. That’s one of his strong suits. He’s used to pressure, he enjoys it and he plays his best in those situations.”
Despite the high points, J.D. Gillum admitted there were challenges along the way.
“This year was definitely a rollercoaster with the injury and everything that happened, but I thought I had a really good freshman year,” offered JD Gillum.
“Knowing all the pressure on me, my teammates did a great job of helping prepare me and getting me ready. Coming off the injury was definitely a big disappointment and setback.”
With a year under his belt now, Gillum is looking to take another big step at quarterback for the Mavericks in 2026.
“Definitely, implementing the run game more,” said J.D. Gillum.
“I don’t think I had one (called) run play all season.”
That figures to be a big addition to his game in 2026.
“We need him to run some, but the big thing is we’ve got to keep him healthy,” said Davey Gillum.
“He also just has to continue to get bigger, stronger and continue to grow as a leader and take command. Your great players have the ability to take their teammates to another level,” Davey Gillum continued.
“Skill set aside, the ability to be calm and go out there and do your job is huge. Confidence is really what separates the good from the great and the great from the exceptional.”
PAST RECIPIENTS
2018 — Tommy Winton (Catholic, WR)
2019 — Adarius Redmond (Powell, WR)
2020 — DeSean Bishop (Karns, RB)
2021 — Jayden Neal (Catholic, QB)
2022 — Connor Wheeler (Powell, RB)
2023 — Tyreek King (Catholic, WR), Jayzon Thompson (Bearden, RB)
2024 — Cooper Newman (Sevier County, QB)
2025 — J.D. Gillum (Anderson County, QB)