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The 2023 All-5Star Preps UNDERCLASSMAN Football Teams
presented by Jeremy Cox/Thrivent Financial
Offensive Underclassman of the Year — Jayzon Thompson (Bearden), Tyreek King (Catholic)
Defensive Underclassman of the Year — Bryson Headrick (Sevier County)
QUARTERBACKS
Blaine Stansberry (1) of the Oak Ridge Wildcats. (Photo by Tanner Walker)
FIRST TEAM
Blaine Stansberry (Oak Ridge, sophomore, 6-0, 185): 158 of 257 passing for 2,617 yards, 22 TD; 2 rush TD, Oak Ridge single-game and single-season passing records.
Deuce Rodgers (Powell, sophomore, 6-3, 225): 128 carries for 1080 yards, 17 rushing TDs; 61 percent passing for 876 yards, 8 TDs.
Cooper Newman (Sevier County, freshman, 6-1, 185): 137 of 235 passing for 1,896 yards, 22 touchdowns; led team to region title.
Amari Lethgo (Halls, sophomore, 6-0, 180): 121 of 202 passing for 1,871 yards, 20 touchdowns passing, 2 rushing touchdowns.
SECOND TEAM
Will Jones (Maryville, freshman, 6-1, 160): took over at QB1 midseason; 69 of 101 passing, 835 yards, 7 TDs; 63 carries, 375 yards, 3 TDs.
Rhett Slagle (Elizabethton, sophomore, 6-2, 195): 64.3 percent passing for 1,843 yards, 18 touchdowns.
Liam Boeke (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 6-0, 175): 109 of 214 passing for 1,609 yards, 19 TDs; led team to 1A state semifinals.
Mason Henderson (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-0, 165): 110 of 182 passing for 1,557 yards, 15 TDs; led team to region title.
More impactful QBs: Cam Anderson (Harriman, sophomore), Brody Sparks (Carter, freshman), Caden Baugh (Greeneville, sophomore), Owen Morgan (Jellico, freshman).
RUNNING BACKS
Running back Jayzon Thompson (6) of the Bearden Bulldogs. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Jayzon Thompson (Bearden, sophomore, 5-10, 180): 5Star Preps Co-Offensive Underclassman of the Year; 257 carries for 1,450 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Jaiden Bunch (Coalfield, sophomore, 5-9, 180): 141 carries for 1,040 yards, 17 TDs; 17 catches, 265 yards, TD; also: 62 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 2 sacks, INT, 2 forced fumbles.
Tae Hamilton (Kingston, sophomore, 5-8, 180): 90 carries for 800 yards, 8 TDs; 26 tackles, 6 PBU, INT on defense.
Jody Scruggs (Carter, sophomore, 5-9, 170): 720 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 576 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 161 return yards, TD
SECOND TEAM
Baxter Johnson (Webb School, sophomore, 6-1, 180): 38 carries, 329 yards, TD; 21 catches, 385 yards, 5 TDs
Ayden Kline (William Blount, sophomore, 5-9, 170): 150 carries for 808 yards, 9 TDs.
Ryan Gibson (Seymour, sophomore, 5-10, 200): 174 carries for 782 yards, 5 TDs
Lane Cope (ECCA, sophomore, 5-10, 165): 132 carries, 553 yards, 7 TDs; 15 catches, 187 yards, 2 TDS; 72 tackles with 7 TFL on defense
More impactful RBs: Brayden Maples (Gatlinburg-Pittman, freshman, 5-11, 185), Jakaryn Dyer (McMinn County, sophomore, 5-6, 180)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Sophomore wide receiver Tyreek King (7) of the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Tyreek King (Catholic, sophomore, 6-0, 165): 5Star Preps Co-Offensive Underclassman of the Year; 65 catches, 1,060 yards, 12 TDs
Bryson Maddox (Clinton, sophomore, 6-5, 175): 30 catches for 582 yards, 6 TDs
Will Pressley (Oak Ridge, sophomore, 6-0, 178): 36 catches for 646 yards, 6 TDs
Blake Perkey (Grace Christian, sophomore, 5-11, 175): led team in catches (48), receiving yards (686) and TDs (5)
Waylon Burgess (Coalfield, sophomore, 6-3, 150): 29 catches for 437 yards, team-high 11 TDs receiving; 3 INTs as a DB.
SECOND TEAM
Gabe St. John (Campbell County, sophomore, 5-9, 140): 38 catches for 598 yards, 5 TDs
Jake Goodin (McMinn Central, sophomore, 5-11, 155): 38 for 513 yards, 3 TDs; 2 KO return TDs; 41 tackles, 3 INTs as a DB.
Zaydyn Anderson (Greenveville, sophomore, 6-1, 170): 18 catches for 432 yards, 4 TDs
Jaxon Dabrowski (William Blount, sophomore, 6-0, 175): 37 catches for 525 yards, 4 TDs; 94 yards rushing, TD
Dylan Burgess (Heritage, sophomore, 5-9, 140): 40 catches for 485 yards, 5 TDs
More impactful WRs: Aa’Darian Samples (Greeneville, sophomore), Evan Pyatt (Anderson County, sophomore), Elijah Johnson (Anderson County, freshman), Zach Happney (Anderson County, freshman), Colton Relation (Eagleton, sophomore), Casen Jenkins (Catholic, sophomore), Calvin Ferguson (Northview Academy, sophomore).
ATHLETES
Tory Beaufort of the Bearden Bulldogs. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Tory Beaufort (Bearden, sophomore, 5-7, 160): 489 KO return yards, 2 TDs; 318 punt return yards; 51 catches, 559 yards, 6 TDs, 1 rush TD.
Greg Tate (Webb School, sophomore, 5-9, 160): 417 yards receiving, 8 TDS; 29 tackles, 5 INTs as a DB.
Ja’Quan Benton (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 6-3, 160): 34 catches, 600 yards, 7 TDs; 65 tackles, 2 INTs, 16 pass breakups.
Condis Cherry (Austin-East, freshman, 5-7, 150): 40 catches, 543 yards, 5 TDs, 28 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INTs, 9 pass breakups.
Shawn Jackson (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-0, 190): 45 carries, 471 yards, 5 TDs; 26 catches, 476 yards, 5 TDs, 48 tackles, 10 pass breakups.
SECOND TEAM
Deameion Leavell (Clinton, sophomore, 5-11, 170): 31 catches, 428 yards, 2 TDS; 36 tackles, 2 INTs.
Jaxon Jett (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 5-10, 180): 47 carries, 426 yards, 21 catches, 406 yards, 650 punt/KOR yards, 9 total TDs
Jace Ballard (Lakeway, sophomore, 5-8, 140): 1032 all-purpose yards, 5 total TDs, 54 tackles, 3 INTs
Daniel Price (Cocke County, sophomore, 5-8, 170): more than 1,100 all-purpose yards 400 rush, 300 rec, 400 KOR
Jaylen Stolz (Northview, sophomore, 6-3, 205): Newcomer of the Year in Region 1-4A; 17 catches, 238 yards, TD
More impactful ATHs: Luke Lindsay (Campbell County, sophomore WR/DB), Seth Seiber (Gibbs, freshman, OL/DL), Terrion Thomas (Grace Christian, freshman, RB/WR)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Brody Smith and the Bearden Bulldogs visited the West Rebels for a non-region contest on Bill Wilson Field on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. West won 14-10. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Brody Smith (Bearden, sophomore, 6-6, 260): Power 5 prospect who graded the highest on Bearden’s offensive line.
Camden Goforth (McMinn County, sophomore, 6-5, 290): Region 4-5A Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Bishop Merriweather (Greeneville, sophomore, 6-5, 330): A massive OL prospect and All-Regi0n 1-4A selection.
Chris Sherman (Northview, sophomore, 6-4, 290): The Region 1-4A Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Brady Burke (Oneida, sophomore, 6-5, 280): Started all 12 games on the OL and DL for Oneida.
Jacob Rice (Catholic, sophomore, 6-3, 255): Rice pulled in a 93-percent grade for his performance in 2023.
SECOND TEAM
Ton’Reon Brazelton-Shell (Bearden, sophomore, 6-3, 295): started 10 games, second-best OL grade on team.
Colton Moore (Alcoa, sophomore, 6-1, 240): Filled a much-needed slot on the OL at Alcoa and helped team win 3A state title.
Grayson Soldner (Coalfield, sophomore, 5-10, 240): started all 13 games at center for 1A state quarterfinalist team.
Nash Stinnett (Maryville, sophomore, 6-0, 250): protected three different QBs and helped the Rebels rush for 2,500 yards.
Keegan Teffetteller (Karns, sophomore, 5-11, 300): started all 10 games for Karns in 2023.
Jaxson Cross (Oneida, sophomore, 6-2, 270): started every game at center for 8-win Oneida and saw time at left tackle, too.
More impactful OLs: Skyler Layne (Rockwood, sophomore, 6-4, 235), Jake Bolden (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-0, 230)
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DEFENSIVE LINE
Christian Wilson of the Jefferson County Patriots. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Jake Coffey (Carter, sophomore, 6-3, 255): 70 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks, All-Region 2-4A
Jaxson Perry (Sevier County, freshman, 6-3, 220): 69 tackles, 4 TFLs, 5 sacks, forced fumble, All-Region 1-5A
Christian Wilson (Jefferson County, sophomore, 6-2, 235): 17 TFLs, 7 sacks, 44 tackles, All-Region 1-6A
D’Andre Hundley (Austin-East, sophomore, 6-2, 205): 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, All Region 2-3A
Tyson Click (ECCA, sophomore, 6-3, 220): 78 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, Co-Defensive Lineman of Year for Region 1-2A.
SECOND TEAM
Jesse Zachary (Oneida, sophomore, 6-3, 215): 71 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, blocked kick; All-Region 2-2A
Cassen Garrison (Central, sophomore, 6-3, 290): 51 tackles, defensive TD
Dajuan Harris (Gibbs, sophomore, 6-2, 175): 46 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, INT
Malik Howard (Oak Ridge, freshman, 6-4, 210): 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections
Jarvis Henderson (Austin-East, sophomore, 5-11, 220): 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
LINEBACKERS
Dom Culp (11) of the Halls Red Devils. (Photo by Charles Mays Media)
FIRST TEAM
Joey Galazin (Sevier County, sophomore, 6-4, 200): 120 tackles, 3 TFLs, fumble recovery
Ben Gilbert (Oneida, sophomore, 6-1, 180): 136 tackles, 13.5 TFsL, INT, sack, forced fumble, 7 pass breakups
Dom Culp (Halls, sophomore, 5-10, 180): 52 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4 sacks
Jackson Coffey (Grace Christian, freshman, 5-11, 170): led Grace in tackles (125) and TFLs (9), two sacks, INT
Cooper Jones (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 5-11, 200): 127 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, INT, 18 QB pressures
Parker Newman (Sevier County, freshman, 6-4, 185): 72 tackles, 5 TFLs, sack, 2 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs
SECOND TEAM
Braden Burchfield (Oneida, sophomore, 5-10, 165): 102 tackles, 4 TFLs
Lucas Thacker (Oliver Springs, sophomore, 5-9, 155): 115 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, 18 QB pressures, defensive TD.
Bryson Ballard (Jellico, sophomore, 6-2, 175): 42 tackles, 5 TFLs, sack, 3 INTs, defensive TD.
Brody Rodgers (Halls, sophomore, 6-1, 210): 71 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks
Parker Whittaker (Grace Christian, sophomore, 5-8, 180): 118 tackles, 4 TFLs, fumble recovery
Tate Mason (Midway, sophomore, 5-7, 155): Region 2-A LB of Year, 105 tackles; 1,100+ all-purpose yards on offense.
Rocky Brown (Bearden, sophomore, 6-0, 205): one of the Bulldogs’ top defenders: 72 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks.
More impactful LBs: Cade Stinnett (Greenback, sophomore), Lucas Adcock (Coalfield, sophomore), Justius Wallin (Elizabethton, sophomore), Rejuan Womble (Fulton, sophomore).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kolby Barrett of the Alcoa Tornadoes. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Kolby Barrett (Alcoa, sophomore, 6-2, 190): 25 tackles, 3 INT; six rushing touchdowns.
Micah Jones (Alcoa, freshman, 5-11, 185): 57 tackles, 4 INTs
Chaz Smith (Bearden, sophomore, 6-2, 165): 39 tackles, Power 5 prospect
Torin McAfee (Central, sophomore, 6-1, 160): 29 tackles, 5 INTs, 4 PBU, 2 forced fumbles, defensive TD
Bryson Headrick (Sevier County, sophomore, 5-7, 160): 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year; 12 INTs, 8 pass breakups
Javaston Badgett (Central, sophomore, 5-7, 150): 56 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles.
SECOND TEAM
Brodie Hollowell (Powell, freshman, 5-7, 150): 69 tackles, 2 INTs, 13-game starter
Karmaryon Fenner (Powell, sophomore, 5-10, 150): 27 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 13-game starter
Zack Wallin (Elizabethton, sophomore, 6-1, 170): 4 INTs, 14 tackles
Cruze Shannon (Coalfield, sophomore, 5-8, 145): 55 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 pick-6s
Taa Henderson (HVA, sophomore, 5-9, 150): 21 tackles, 2 INT (one returned for TD)
Thomas Bowers (Heritage, sophomore, 5-9, 175): 73 tackles, 5 pass breakups, INT; KO return TD
More impactful DBs: Andrew Smith (Maryville, sophomore), Jeremiah Smith (South-Doyle, freshman), Demauri Dubose (Alcoa, freshman), Parker Dowd (Northview Academy, sophomore), Reed Reynolds (South-Doyle, freshman), Trevin True (Rockwood, sophomore).
SPECIALISTS
Ryan McCue of the Farragut Admirals. (Photo by Danny Parker)
FIRST TEAM
Ryan McCue (Farragut, sophomore): 19-19 PATs, 7-9 FGs (long 41)
Hudson Jamerson (Maryville, sophomore): 47-48 PATs, 8-12 FGs
Will Bowers (Elizabethton, freshman): 49-51 PATs, 6-7 FGs (long 43)
River Shropshire (Cosby, sophomore): 19 punts, 45.3 yards per punt
SECOND TEAM
Jack Treece (Coalfield, freshman): 49-52 PATs, 1-2 FGs
Justyn Lynch (Oneida, sophomore): 23-26 PATs, 2-3 FGs
Gavin Thomas (Carter, sophomore): 41-45 on PATS, 2-4 FGs,
Elijah Pearson (Oak Ridge, sophomore): 35.2 yards per punt, 49-50 on PATs, 5-8 on FGs; 13 touchbacks.
More impactful specialists: Clay Fultz (Webb, sophomore), Isaiah Mitchell (South-Doyle, sophomore), Dennis de Leon (Northview, sophomore), Devon Cole (Central, sophomore), Emanuel Ortiz (Clinton, freshman).