2024 All-5Star Preps Underclassman Football Team, presented by Jeremy Cox/Thrivent

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2024 All-5Star Preps
Underclassman Football Team

Presented by Jeremy Cox/Thrivent Financial – Fairway Group

 

HOW PLAYERS ARE SELECTED

Below you’ll find the 2024 All-5Star Preps Underclassman Football Teams.

These are freshmen and sophomore VARSITY standouts from the 2024 season.

The athletes are chosen based on a variety of factors, including: overall talent/skill, 2024 season statistics, team success in 2024, nominees from their head coaches, and recommendations from area coaches.

This is NOT a prospect list.

QUARTERBACKS

FIRST TEAM
Cooper Newman (Sevier County, sophomore): The 5Star Preps Offensive Underclassman of the Year completed 259 of 363 pass attempts (71.3 percent) for 3,488 yards, 45 touchdowns and just one interception in leading Sevier County to the 2024 Class 5A State Championship. He was named 2024 Class 5A BlueCross Bowl MVP.
Will Jones (Maryville, sophomore): The 6-foot-2, second-year starter guided Maryville to the Class 6A state semifinals, completing 168 of 237 pass attempts (70.9 percent) for 2,369 yards, 30 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also ran 80 times for 473 yards and six more touchdowns.
D.J. Hunter (Bearden, sophomore): A newcomer to the Knoxville area in 2024, Hunter overcame a midseason injury and played his absolute best football down the stretch, helping Bearden reach the 6A quarterfinals. He completed 76 of 142 passes for 1,431 yards and nine touchdowns against three interceptions. He also rushed 35 times for 142 yards and three scores.

SECOND TEAM
Brody Sparks (Carter, sophomore): 2,362 yards passing, 22 touchdowns, 3 rush TDs.
Corbin Hobson (Farragut, sophomore): 1,925 yards passing, 13 touchdowns.
Matthew McMahan (Cosby, sophomore): Region 1-1A Offensive POY, 25 pass TDs

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025: Mack Bartholomew (Catholic, sophomore), Jaylon Benjamin (Clinton, sophomore), Seaton Moffett (CAK, freshman), John Keohane (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore), Gaven French (Heritage, sophomore), Kaden Long (Central, sophomore), Luke Lawson (McMinn County, sophomore), Aiden Amonett (Rockwood, freshman); Andrew Lewis (Pigeon Forge, sophomore), Owen Morgan (Jellico, sophomore).

 

RUNNING BACKS

FIRST TEAM
Terrion Thomas (Grace Christian, sophomore): A 2024 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalist, Thomas rushed 245 times for 1,265 yards and 19 touchdowns while also hauling in 69 passes for 1,044 yards and nine TDs. He finished with 2,616 all-purpose yards.
Brayden Maples (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore): Maples entered the 2024 season with promise and delivered 147 carries for 1,271 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns while helping the Highlanders run to the 3A state quarterfinals.
Damillyan Porter (Oak Ridge, sophomore): Porter found his stride in the second half of the season and was a major catalyst in OR reaching the 5A semifinals thanks to 1,286 yards rushing, 22 rushing TDs, 388 receiving yards, and three receiving TDs.

SECOND TEAM
Matthew Rogers (Catholic, freshman): team-highs in carries (97) and rush yards (584).
Hadyn Headrick (Coalfield, sophomore) 688 yards rushing, 11 TDs, 165 yards receiving, 3 TDs.
A.J. Darby (R0ckwood, sophomore): 702 yards rushing, eight TDs on 105 carries.

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025: Nathan Patterson (Sevier County, freshman), Cole Meredith (Oneida, sophomore), Jermon Bishop (Alcoa, sophomore), Kayden Filipo (Heritage, freshman)

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

FIRST TEAM
Jamir Dean (Alcoa, sophomore): The 6-foot-3 Dean is a multi-sport star already at Alcoa, having two state football titles and a state basketball championship under his belt. This past fall, he caught 34 passes for 711 yards and 12 total touchdowns while also playing in the secondary.
Kaden Webber (Grace Christian, sophomore): Webber (6-1, 170) played a big role in a palpable passing attack for the Rams this past season, hauling in 62 catches in 12 games for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Malik Howard (Oak Ridge, sophomore): A tight end by trade with Power Four offers rolling in by the month, Howard (6-4, 210) battled injury in 2024 but still had 32 catches for 389 yards and six touchdowns.
Colton Foust (Maryville, sophomore): Foust (5-11, 185) emerged as one of the more consistent pass-catchers for the Rebels in their march to the 6A semifinals. He finished 2024 with 35 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns.

SECOND TEAM
DeZion Jackson (Powell, sophomore): 405 yards, 4 TDs, 27.4 yards per KOR
Jadyn Dehart (William Blount, sophomore): 459 yards, 6 TDs (both team highs)
Marshall Goodner (McMinn County, sophomore): 529 yards, 6 TDs
Ethan Farhat (Farragut, sophomore): 224 yards receiving, 2 KO return TDs

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025: Zach Happney (Anderson County, sophomore), Jaymil Smith (Northview, sophomore), Dikye’is Towns (Austin-East, freshman), Rondell North (South-Doyle, freshman), Troy Ervin (Heritage, freshman), Ethan Bryant (Heritage, sophomore), Reid Daniel (Gibbs, sophomore), Jamerius Abuhania (Alcoa, sophomore).

ATHLETES

David Baker (Cosby, sophomore): Baker ran for 929 yards and 10 touchdowns while also making 59 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Micah Jones (Alcoa, sophomore): Jones pulled a lot of weight on offense and defense, piling up 643 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns and also racking up 47 tackles with two defensive touchdowns.
Kaden Page (Stone Memorial, sophomore): To go along with 33 tackles on defense, Page made 43 catches for 656 yards and seven TDs. He also logged 32 carries for 215 yards with two  TDs. He passed for a TD and returned a kickoff for a score.
Mason Eckerson (The King’s Academy, sophomore): Eckerson had some breakout games in 2024. He wound up passing for 1,002 yards with six TDs while rushing 83 times for 615 yards and four TDs. On defense, he intercepted five passes and scored two defensive TDs.

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

FIRST TEAM
Marlee Watts (Alcoa, sophomore): Watts started at left tackle for the Tornadoes which won their 10th consecutive Class 3A championship.
Zayvion McAlister (Loudon, sophomore): The Region 3-4A Newcomer of the Year, McAlister helped Loudon to an 11-1 mark in 2024.
Will DeLong (Grace Christian, sophomore): DeLong (6-4, 330) proved a welcome addition to the Rams’ offense (4,861 yards in 2024).
Cayden Turner (Fulton, sophomore): Turner graded out as Fulton’s top offensive lineman many weeks during their 11-game season.
Eli Tolley (Bearden, sophomore): The 6-2, 270-pound Tolley played at right tackle for the Bulldogs in their march to the 6A quarterfinals.
Braden Thompson (Stone Memorial, sophomore): The 6-2, 275-pound Thompson got plenty of starts and recorded 38 pancake blocks.

SECOND TEAM
Landon Hart (Harriman, sophomore,)
Karnell Mills (Bearden, sophomore)
Caleb Lewis (Powell, sophomore)
Plamedi Boyenga (TKA, sophomore)
Jackson Walker (Grainger, sophomore)
Charles Cates (Northview, sophomore)

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025:
Austin Underwood (TKA, freshman), Cooper Disney (Stone Memorial, sophomore), Colton Jenkins (Cosby, sophomore), Aidan McGaha (Cosby, sophomore), King Sandoval (Oak Ridge, freshman), Lane Ferguson (Alcoa, sophomore).

 

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

FIRST TEAM
Jaxson Perry (Sevier County, sophomore): Perry (6-3, 230) caught four TD passes, but his biggest impact came as a defensive end, making 75 tackles and recording a team-high nine sacks sacks during a 15-game march to a Class 5A state championship season.
Seth Seiber (Gibbs, sophomore): Seiber rang up a team-high 71 tackles and a team-high 11 tackles for loss, a team-high three forced fumbles and four sacks for the Eagles (10-2) in the 2024 season.
Maki Bell (The King’s Academy, sophomore): A 6-2, 270-pound defensive tackle, Bell piled up 76 tackles, 29 tackles, and 13 quarterback pressures for the Lions this past fall.
Travis Brasfield (Halls, sophomore): A 6-1, 210-pound defensive end, Brasfield helped comprise a really nice Halls defensive unit with 74 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.

SECOND TEAM
Keagan Covington (Morristown West, freshman): five sacks, 8.5 TFLs in 2024
Kamron Eason (Morristown East, sophomore): 12 tackles for loss in 2024
Eli Ritter (Coalfield, sophomore): 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss
Damien Gonzalez (Northview, freshman): 55 tackles, 9 TFLs, three sacks

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025:
Drayton Wade (Oneida, sophomore), William Taylor III (Powell, sophomore), Cordea Keehley (Northview, sophomore), Graven Wilson (Carter, sophomore),
Tahj Bowers (Webb, sophomore), Michael Yoakum (CAK, sophomore).

 

LINEBACKERS

FIRST TEAM
Parker Newman (Sevier County, sophomore): Newman (6-5, 200) is the 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year after amassing 120 tackles, eight TFLs, five sacks, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception for state-champion Sevier County.
J.P. Peace (West, sophomore): The 6-3, 210-pound Peace is a Division I prospect. And he composed a solid sophomore season with 62.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and forced fumble.
Darius Sudderth (Alcoa, sophomore): Sudderth drew plenty of praise from Alcoa coaches, as he led the 3A champions in total tackles with 94 tackles. He also had three sacks, a forced fumble and five QB pressures.
Jackson Coffey (Grace Christian, sophomore): This 6-foot, 200-pound backer made 107 tackles for the Rams in a nine-win season, also returning an interception for a touchdown.
Johnny Rosenbalm (Jefferson County, sophomore): A 6-2, 210-pound force, Rosenblam made 13 tackles for loss and 74 total tackles in 11 games for the Patriots.
Gavin Self (Halls, sophomore): The 5-10, 180-pound Self proved highly active for the Red Devils, making 119 tackles in 12 games with three tackles for loss and two sacks.

SECOND TEAM
Jennaris Henry (Alcoa, freshman): eight tackles, forced fumble in title game
Blake Hester (Kingston, sophomore): 101 tackles in 2024
Jackson Younger (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore): 75 tackles, seven TFLs
Paxton Parrott (Bearden, sophomore): 60 tackles in 13 games
Elliott Lindsey (Catholic, sophomore): 85 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks
Conner Wheeler (Heritage, sophomore): 80 tackles, seven TFLs, INT

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025:
Tucker Ownby (Gibbs, sophomore), Kayden Stuart (Oak Ridge, sophomore), Keaton Phipps (Northview, freshman), Harrison Smith (Farragut, sophomore),
Reed Reynolds (South-Doyle, sophomore), Cam Greer (Coalfield, sophomore), Kyle Hinch (Stone Memorial, sophomore).

 

SECONDARY

FIRST TEAM
Condis Cherry (Alcoa, sophomore): In addition to some kick-return and offensive duties, Cherry picked off a team-high six passes as a defensive back for the Tornadoes in their Class 3A state championship season.
Kenny Simon (Bearden, sophomore): The 6-1, 190 safety is a Division I prospect. And he showed why with 78 tackles, sack, forced fumble, interception, and interception-return TD.
Jarrell Chandler (Halls, sophomore): An elite corner and prospect, Chandler recorded 17 pass breakups in his 2024 season to go with 68 tackles and an interception.
Diego Decoursey (Gatlinburg-Pittman, sophomore): Blessed with speed and a nose for the ball, this 5-11, 175-pound athlete had three interceptions, three pass deflections and 19 tackles in Gatlinburg-Pittman’s run to the state quarterfinals.
Kaiden Brewster (McMinn County, freshman): The 6-1, 165-pound Brewster was legit in his first prep football season. He had 41 tackles, three INTs, four pass breakups, and a sack. Watch his film. Be excited about his future.

SECOND TEAM
Demauri Dubose (Alcoa, sophomore): four PBUs, INT, two forced fumbles
Jeremiah Smith (South-Doyle, sophomore): two INTs, five PBUs, two forced fumbles
Xavier Bowman (Catholic, freshman): 37 tackles, two TFLs, two PBUs, forced fumble
Brodie Hollowell (Powell, sophomore): 48 tackles, four PBU, two INTs, defensive TD
Haiden McMahan (Cosby, sophomore): four interceptions

THIRD TEAM
Lane Adcock (Coalfield, sophomore)
Eddie Soto (Lenoir City, sophomore)
William Hill (Oneida, sophomore)
Dylan Phillips (Stone Memorial)
Thomas Manu (Alcoa, sophomore)

MORE WHO’LL SHINE IN 2025:
Waylon Hill (Oneida, sophomore), Rhett Hall (Heritage, sophomore), Easton Britton (ECCA, freshman), Brailen Robinson (Webb, sophomore), Brooks Johnston (Catholic, freshman), Kamariyon Rice (South-Doyle, sophomore), Mason Laster (Bearden, sophomore), Braylen Gibbs (Catholic, freshman), Taren Claridy (Greeneville, sophomore), Ian Cookston (Carter, sophomore).

 

SPECIALISTS

Will Bowers (Elizabethton, sophomore): 37-38 PATs
Jack Treece (Coalfield, sophomore): 59 made PATs
Drew Trapp (McMinn county, freshman): 29 PATs, two FGs
Dennis DeLeon (Northview, sophomore): 37 kick points
Alex Powers (McMinn County, freshman): 36.8 yards per punt
Bryson Goodman (Oliver Springs, sophomore): 63 kick points
Ryne Knies (Kingston, sophomore): 41 kick points