The 2023 All-5Star Preps Football Teams presented by Jeremy Cox/Thrivent Financial

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2023 All-5Star Preps FOOTBALL

OFFENSIVE POY: Braylon Harmon, Catholic

DEFENSIVE POY: Ryan Scott, West

 

 

HOW ARE PLAYERS CHOSEN?

Glad you asked.

This is not a recruiting list nor recruiting rankings.

Players hail from a 70-school coverage area that reaches up to Campbell County, as far west as Crossville, down to McMinn County and as east as Greeneville/Elizabethton.

Players are selected via a variety of factors such as — in-person evaluation by 5Star Preps, coach recommendations/nominations, 2023 team success, 2023 season statistics, player success vs. difficulty of schedule, HUDL film evaluations, games played vs. games hurt, college interest/offers, and sportsmanship.

 

QUARTERBACKS

FIRST TEAM

Jayden Neal (Catholic, junior, 5-11, 190)
Just a junior and already the program’s all-time leading passer, Neal completed 66 percent of his passes this past fall for 29 touchdowns and 2,973 yards, leading the Irish to the state semifinals.

Izaiah Hall (Anderson County, senior, 6-2, 185)
Hall’s much-praised arm lived up to its billing in 2023, as he completed 219 of 342 passes for 3,383 yards and 25 touchdowns in his one season with the Mavericks.

Joshuah Keith (Clinton, senior, 5-9, 180)
The UT-Martin signee authored a memorable playoff run for the Dragons in Class 5A in November. And in his final prep season, he threw for 2,617 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 391 yards and seven scores.

SECOND TEAM
Jack Wagner (Webb School of Knoxville, senior, 6-4, 200): Completed 62 percent of his passes in a 10-win season for 2,178 yards and 33 TDs.
Brady Hammonds (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior, 6-2, 200): VMI commit threw for 2,342 yards and 35 TDs in 2023.
Blaine Stansberry (Oak Ridge, sophomore, 6-0, 185): School’s single-game and single-season passing record holder; 2,617 yards, 22 TDs.

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Deuce Rodgers (Powell, sophomore), Ayden Plemons (McMinn Central, junior), Mason Phillips (Northview Academy, junior), Nick Osmun (Stone Memorial, senior), Wesley Deck (Heritage, senior), Amari Lethgo (Halls, sophomore).

 

RUNNING BACKS

FIRST TEAM

Omarian Mills (Jefferson County, senior, 5-11)
With 228 carries, 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns, Mills saved his best performance for his final season and was named Region 1-6A Player of the Year.

DeJauvis Dozier (Oak Ridge, senior, 5-10, 200)
Dozier got the lion’s share of the carries in 2023 after having shared for most of his prep career. As the lead back in 2023, he ran 244 times for 1,717 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Jayzon Thompson (Bearden, sophomore, 5-10, 180)
When Purdue signee Jaheim Merriweather went down with injury, Thompson shouldered the production load for Bearden’s offense — 257 carries, 1,450 yards, and 21 touchdowns. Thompson shared 2023 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year honors.

Marshaun Bowers (West, senior, 5-10, 190)
Mid-season injury hindered Bower’s stats, but West’s offense went as Bowers went. When he returned, West ran to the 2023 Class 5A title. Bowers rushed for 1,107 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

SECOND TEAM
Connor Wheeler (Powell, junior, 5-9, 170): Explosive all-purpose athlete with 1,427 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2023
Jalen Hill (Webb, senior, 5-9, 180): Hill complemented Webb’s pass game with 1,319 rushing yards and 18 TDs.
Boone Brockwell (Gibbs, senior, 5-11, 175): Rushed for 1,286 yards and 27 TDs; receiving TD, punt return TD and INT return TD.
Nick Moog (Anderson County, senior, 5-10, 205): 1,256 rush yards, 25 TDs, 53 catches, 279 yards, 4 TDs.

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Price Davis (Maryville, junior), Shajai Jackson (Lakeway, senior), Frank Johnson IV (Central, senior), Hunter Cook (McMinn Central, senior), Camren Richards (Morristown West, junior)

ATHLETES

FIRST TEAM
Trey Wilhite (Lenoir City, senior, 5-11, 175)
The epitome of an athlete, Wilhite ran for 1,770 yards with 22 rush TDs. He passed for 760 yards and 4 TDs. He had 2,951 all-purpose yards. He also had 127 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble-return TDs.

Carson Quillen (Greeneville, junior, 5-10, 185)
The Region 1-4A Player of the Year and Virginia Tech baseball commit rushed for 1,218 yards with 26 touchdowns while going for 410 yards receiving and 5 TDs. He threw 2 TDs and had 30 tackles, three pass breakups and an INT.

Eli Graf (Alcoa, junior, 5-9, 160)
The BlueCross Bowl MVP (2023) took over at QB1 midseason and threw for 1,369 yards with 12 TDs; he rushed for 421 yards with 7 TDs and served as the team’s punter; On defense, he made 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and had a defensive TD.

Elijah Cannon (Alcoa, senior, 6-0, 210)
Cannon led Alcoa in rushing in 2023 with 814 yards and 10 touchdowns but also doubled as a defensive standout, piling up 6.5 sacks from his linebacker position.

Whittman Whaley (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior, 6-2, 215)
The Wake Forest signee and Mr. Football semifinalist had 45 catches for 1,007 yards and 16 TDs to go with 93 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 2 interceptions.

Spencer Russell (Carter, senior, 5-10, 175)
The Region 2-4A Offensive Player of the Year went off for 821 receiving yards with 5 TDs, 523 rushing yards with 10 TDs, a pass TD, 278 return yards, a return TD, 32 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles.

SECOND TEAM
Tory Beaufort (Bearden, sophomore, 5-7, 175): 846 return yards, 2 TDs; 51 catches, 559 yards, 6 TDs, one rush TD.
Mason Day (Oliver Springs, junior, 6-0, 195): 1,339 yards rushing, 16 TDs, 80 tackles, 15 sacks, 37 QB pressures.
Shane Cherry (Austin-East, junior, 5-10, 155): 1,858 pass yards, 17 TD, 90 carries, 865 yards, 15 rush TDs.
Kameron Bates (Halls, senior, 5-9, 190): 1,191 rushing, 14 total TDs, 69 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 INT, 2 fumble recoveries.
Brett Cortez (William Blount, senior, 6-3, 200): 1,948 passing yards, 22 pass TDs, 822 rush yards, 14 TDS; 42.4 yards per punt.
Malachi Pate (Sevier County, senior, 5-10, 175): 1,112 yards rushing, 11 TDS, 3 receiving TDs, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions.

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Jaden Jones (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior), Grays0n Goodale (Catholic, senior), Gavin Owens (Campbell County, junior), Chance Shapiro (Tellico Plains, junior), Jody Scruggs (Carter, sophomore), Dante Strickland (Central, senior), Aaron Dunlap (Oakdale, senior), Jaiden Bunch (Coalfield, sophomore), Eli Roberts (Coalfield, senior), Ja’Quon Benton (Oliver Springs, sophomore).

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

FIRST TEAM

Braylon Harmon (Catholic, senior, 5-9, 180)
The 2023 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year and Tennessee commit was the driving force behind a state semifinal run by Catholic. Harmon caught 84 passes for 1,072 yards and nine touchdowns — but, he also ran for 4 TDs, returned four kickoffs for TDs, and returned two punt returns for TDs.

Brandon Winton (Alcoa, senior, 6-1, 190)
The South Florida signee helped guide Alcoa to a 3A championship with 61 catches his senior season for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist.

Tyreek King (Catholic, sophomore, 6-0, 165)
Thompson shared 2023 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year honors with Bearden RB Jayzon Thompson. King caught 65 passes in 2023 for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Markeis Barrett (Webb, senior, 5-11, 175)
The Vanderbilt signee and Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist led Webb in receiving with 55 catches for 882 yards and 16 touchdowns but also was a standout at defensive back with 9 interceptions.

Carlos Orr (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior, 6-4, 180)
An Illinois signee, Orr caught 46 passes as a senior in 2023 for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. He returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, and he also made 35 tackles and intercepted three passes on defense.

SECOND TEAM
Xavian James (Anderson County, senior, 5-9, 180): 84 catches, 1,279 yards, 11 touchdowns
Demarcus Allen (Austin-East, senior, 6-1, 175): 31 catches, 923 yards, 11 touchdowns
Bay Harbison (McMinn Central, senior, 6-0, 150): 84 catches, 1,196 yards, 12 touchdowns
Almani Rembert (Oak Ridge, senior, 5-10, 180): 36 catches, 735 yards, 9 touchdowns
Nehemiah Cooney (Oakdale, senior, 5-10, 175): 61 catches, 1,294 yards, 15 touchdowns

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Sloan Helton (CAK, senior), Will Kelley (CAK, junior), Bryson Maddox (Clinton, sophomore), Marquail Patterson (South-Doyle, junior), Bryson Letterman (Jefferson County, senior), Trent Strickland (Anderson County, junior), Jeriah Griffin (Elizabethton, junior).

 

TIGHT ENDS

FIRST TEAM

Eli Owens (Alcoa, junior, 6-2, 230)
The Michigan commit caught 38 passes for 485 yards and 5 touchdowns during the Tornadoes’ Class 3A championship season.

Drew Ross (Halls, junior, 6-3, 215)
Halls had a resurgent season and Ross played a big part in that with 422 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

SECOND TEAM
Daniel Sackie (Central, junior, 6-0, 185): 28 catches, 346 yards, 5 touchdowns
Eli Elkins (Maryville, senior, 6-4, 230): 27 catches, 302 yards, 3 TDs, Tennessee State commit

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

Alex Boyd (Maryville, junior, 6-4, 280)
The Region 2-6A Offensive Lineman of the Year definitely was the breakout player among area offensive linemen this year, and colleges are noticing.

Mason Smith (Coalfield, junior, 6-3, 280)
Smith keeps getting better as his high school career progresses. The right tackle paved the way for another successful Coalfield run.

Otto Van Rensburg (Sevier County, junior, 6-4, 295)
Van Rensburg played 543 offensive snaps for the Smoky Bears in 2023 and allowed just one sack. He also had just one penalty all season.

Britton Carver (West, senior, 6-1, 275)
An all-stater, Carver made a big impact on the West offensive front, helping generate a consistent ground game in a championship season.

Camden Goforth (McMinn County, sophomore, 6-4, 290)
Already a two-year starter, Goforth has a wealth of experience now to go with his Division I caliber skillset.

Nic Moore (Jefferson County, junior, 6-3, 280)
The Region 1-6A Offensive Lineman of the Year is being courted by Power 5 programs and helped JeffCo average more than 400 yards per game.

Nick Goodwin (Halls, senior, 6-5, 275)
A massive left tackle, Goodwin rarely allowed a sack and helped Halls pile up tons of yards and reach the Class 5A playoffs.

SECOND TEAM
Xavier Hickman (Webb, senior, 6-4, 240): Instrumental in Webb’s 4500 yards of offense in 12 games.
Blake Heckmann (Maryville, senior, 6-6, 295): A Liberty signee and multi-year All-5SP selection.
Brody Smith (Bearden, sophomore, 6-6, 250): Graded out as Bearden’s top offensive lineman in 2023.
Bryson Daugherty (Lenoir City, junior, 6-4, 285): Region 3-5A OL of the Year and starting right tackle.
Kameron Lester (Greeneville, senior, 6-3, 230): Region 1-4A OL of the Year and four-year starter.
Judd Taylor (Carter, junior, 6-4, 270): Region 2-4A OL of the Year and three-year starting tackle.
Jacob Rice (Catholic, sophomore, 6-3, 250): A budding talent who graded at 93 percent in 2023.

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Jesse Massengill (Powell, senior), Nathan Harville (Farragut, senior), Avery Mohr (Farragut, senior), Joe Scott (Bearden, senior), Kam Cash (Oneida, junior), Brady Burke (Oneida, sophomore), Cooper Wyatt (Central, senior), Brandon Iezzi (Greeneville, junior), Storm Webb (Campbell County, senior), Luke Burnette (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior), Jackson Case (Gatlinburg-Pittman, junior), Eli Nelson (Anderson County, senior), Gracen Bradshaw (Anderson County, senior), Blake Neely (Powell, senior), Byron Finger (Powell, senior).

 

THE DEFENSE

 

HOW ARE PLAYERS CHOSEN?

Glad you asked.

This is not a recruiting list nor recruiting rankings.

Players are selected via a variety of factors such as — in-person evaluation by 5Star Preps, coach recommendations/nominations, 2023 team success, 2023 season statistics, player success vs. difficulty of schedule, HUDL film evaluations, games played vs. games hurt, college interest/offers, and sportsmanship.

Players are selected via a variety of factors such as — in-person evaluation by 5Star Preps, coach recommendations/nominations, 2023 team success, 2023 season statistics, player success vs. difficulty of schedule, HUDL film evaluations, games played vs. games hurt, college interest/offers, and sportsmanship.

DEFENSIVE LINE

FIRST TEAM

C.J. Smith (West, senior, 6-3, 250)
A two-time state champion, Smith had 62.5 tackles as a senior with 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, a forced fumble and blocked field goal.

Evan Poticher (Northview, senior, 6-3, 245)
The Region 1-4A Co-Defensive Player of the Year made 85 tackles with 27 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in the 2023 season.

Joe McCord (Alcoa, senior, 6-1, 230)
The Yale signee proved to be a disruptive presence up front during Alcoa’s championship season, making 12 sacks with 15 QB pressures and 47 tackles.

Steven Soles (Powell, senior, 6-2, 220)
The Kentucky signee made 105 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 50 QB pressures. He also blocked three kicks and forced five fumbles.

Mason Ball (Elizabethton, senior, 6-4, 255)
The ETSU commitment and Region 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year had 72 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 12 QB pressures.

Bryson Myers (Greeneville, senior, 6-1, 225)
A recent UVA-Wise commit, Myers had a productive 2023 season with 51 tackles, 25 assists, 24 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 26 QB pressures.

SECOND TEAM
Richard Bell (Northview, senior, 6-5, 250): Columbia commit, 89 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
Elijah Bradley (Oak Ridge, senior, 6-5, 235): 59 tackles, 10 sacks, 7 tackles for loss
Caleb Turner (Halls, senior, 6-2, 255): 79 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
Charvon Thomas (Powell, junior, 6-2, 205): 97 tackles, 12 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 32 QB pressures
Wyatt Deroche (West, junior, 6-0, 230): 108 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks
Antori Hamilton (Catholic, senior, 6-0, 280): 53 tackles, 17 tackles for loss

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Nick McDonald (Powell, senior), Vincent Alfini (Wartburg, junior), Michael Stewart (HVA, junior), Keilyn Smith (Catholic, senior), Giovanni Chavez (Morristown West, senior), Cash Mount (Gibbs, senior), Jac Carter (Maryville, senior), Carson Nivens (Oliver Springs, junior), Gavin Divine (Loudon, senior), Chase Joyce (Cosby, junior), Jake Holbert (Central, junior), Taylor Davis (Anderson County, junior), Ethan Hunt (Sequoyah, senior), Cole McCampbell (Heritage, junior), Ethan Klasky (Webb, senior), Ari Klasky (Webb, senior), Zac Chrisman (Greeneville, senior).

 

LINEBACKERS

FIRST TEAM

Ryan Scott (West, senior, 6-1, 205)
The now two-time 5Star Preps Defensive Player of the Year logged 178 tackles in West’s 2023 championship season with 18 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks and a defensive touchdown.

Jack Alley (Farragut, senior, 6-2, 225)
The Air Force signee and Region 2-6A Defensive Player of the Year finished with 132 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.

Cooper Cameron (Webb, senior, 6-1, 220)
The Cornell commitment made 153 tackles as a senior with 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions.

Landon Feggins (McMinn County, senior, 6-1, 215)
The now Chattanooga commitment closed out his stellar prep career with 106 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.

Anderson Smith (West, senior, 6-2, 205)
Smith had a monster senior year for state champ West, making 96 tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, a blocked FG, and a blocked punt.

Emmitt Newman (Jefferson County, senior, 6-1, 215)
The Region 1-6A Defensive Player of the Year made a name for himself as a senior with 122 tackles, 12 sacks and 35 tackles for loss.

Amanuel Dickson (Greeneville, senior, 5-11, 200)
Now a Chattanooga signee, Dickson had 67 tackles, 30 assists, 26 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 7 QB Pressures, an interception and forced fumble in 2023.

SECOND TEAM
Vashawn Nalls (Oak Ridge, senior, 6-3, 210): 104 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions
Tyler Mann (Sevier County, junior, 6-0, 215): 183 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4 sacks
Kain Ladd (Kingston, senior, 5-10, 215): 105 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles; 900 rush yards, 12 TDs
Cole Jackson (Oliver Springs, junior, 5-7, 170): Region 2-A Defensive POY, 123 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 11 QB pressures, 9 PBUs
Carson Devotie (Cocke County, senior, 6-0, 190): 109 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, interception
Coalton Henry (Coalfield, senior, 5-8, 165): Region 2-A MVP, 153 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
Matthew Covert (Maryville, junior, 6-0, 200): All-Region 2-6A, 124 tackles, sack, interception, tackle for loss

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Connor Ruth (Catholic, senior), Maddox Mozingo (CAK, senior), Brady Hughes (Gibbs, junior), Brody Blankenship (Alcoa, senior), Kai Ironside (Bearden, junior), Wyatt West (Gibbs, senior), Tommy Joseph (Hardin Valley, senior), Roman Webb (Carter, senior), Carter Youell (Lenoir City, senior), Ben Reece (Gatlinburg-Pittman, junior), Abu Keefer (Powell, junior), Mason Testerman (Webb, senior), Drew Armbrister (Greeneville, junior).

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

FIRST TEAM

D’Mon Marable (Clinton, senior, 6-1, 190)
The Purdue signee helped Clinton reach the quarterfinals with 174 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception.

Bryson Headrick (Sevier County, sophomore, 5-7, 160)
The 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year intercepted a school-record 12 passes, broke up 8 passes and made 47 tackles.

Syxx Hoard (West, senior, 5-9, 155)
While Hoard made a big splash he in the title game win with 3 INTs, he finished an all-around solid 2023 with 43 tackles and 7 interceptions.

Hayden Goad (Greeneville, senior, 5-10, 155)
Can’t ignore production. And Goad had that: 8 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, 7 pass breakups and one forced fumble.

Brandon Heyward (Oak Ridge, senior, 5-11, 170)
In addition to his 800-plus-yards receiving, Heyward was a legit corner — making 24 tackles with 4 interceptions and 4 pass breakups.

Antwain Burdine (West, junior, 5-9, 155)
Burdine had a breakout season on both sides of the ball but excelled on defense with 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 tackles for loss.

SECOND TEAM
Hutton Jones (Maryville, senior, 5-10, 175): 38 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, 2 tackles for loss.
Torin McAfee (Central, sophomore, 6-1, 155): 29 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, defensive TD.
Dakota Adkins (Oliver Springs, senior, 5-10, 170): 67 tackles, 5 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs.
Sam Tummins (Bearden, senior, 6-3, 185): 83 tackles, 5 interceptions.
Mason Ellis (Sevier County, senior, 5-10, 185): 94 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 2 blocked punts, region athlete of year.
Chaz Smith (Bearden, sophomore, 6-2, 165): 39 tackles, gave up only a handful of catches
Harvey Niendorff (Webb, senior, 5-11, 170): 57 tackles, 6 interceptions

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Markus Jackson (Powell, senior), Walker Lockhart (Karns, senior), Carson Vines (Seymour, senior), Quincy Pannell (Catholic, senior), Javaston Badgett (Central, sophomore), Derek Bean (Clinton, senior), Greg Tate (Webb, sophomore)

 

KICKERS/PUNTERS

FIRST TEAM

Owen Taylor (Halls, senior)
Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Kicker and MTSU commit, Taylor went 10-for-10 on FGs with a long of 49; He also kicked 29 touchbacks and averaged 45.3 yards per punt on 27 attempts.

Spencer Sullins (McMinn County, senior)
A Memphis signee, Sullins boomed 41 touchbacks on kickoffs while averaging 42.8 yards per punt on 24 attempts. His longest field-goal he made in 2023 measured 51 yards.

Quinton Brandon (Greeneville, senior)
Brandon averaged 39.2 yards per punt on 24 attempts, kicked 49 touchbacks on kickoffs and made 4 of 6 field goals. He also made 52 PATs.

Nathan Holbrook (HVA, junior)
Holbrook punted 40 times in 2023 and averaged a whopping 45.6 yards per punt — having 14 downed inside the 20 and 5 downed inside the 10.

Connon Littlefield (Kingston, senior)
A consisted all-around kicker, Littlefield went 4-for-6 on field goals, 51 of 51 on PATs, boomed 48 touchbacks and averaged 36.2 yards per punt.

Daniel Kinney (Bearden, junior)
With a long of 50 yards, Kinney made 7 of 13 field-goal tries, 40 of 41 PATs and also had 41 touchbacks on kickoffs this past fall.

SECOND TEAM
Benji Angola (Gibbs, senior): 8-10 FGs, 52-54 PATs.
Tyler Madison (Sevier County, junior): 7-9 FGs, long 46, 43-45 PATs.
Lucas Hollifield (Grace, senior, kicker): 38.9 yards per punt, 3-5 FGs, 26-30 PATs.
Dylan Stooksbury (Powell, junior): 6-8 FGs, long 48, 48 PATs made, 31 touchbacks.
Will Bowers (Elizabethton, freshman): 49-51 PATs, 6-7 FGs, long of 43.
River Shropshire (Cosby, sophomore): 19 punts for 45.3 yards per punt.

CLOSELY CONSIDERED
Ryan McCue (Farragut, sophomore), Elijah Pearson (Oak Ridge, sophomore), Hudson Jamerson (Maryville, sophomore), Tyler Radcliffe (Anderson County, senior), Josh Valero (Anderson County, senior).