5Star Preps Defensive UNDERCLASSMAN of the Year (2023): Bryson Headrick, Sevier County

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BY DAVE LINK

Sevier County sophomore Bryson Headrick showed a gamer’s mentality from the first day he joined the football team in summer of 2022.

After his first workout with the other freshmen, Headrick approached Sevier County head coach Todd Loveday.

“Coach, will I have an opportunity to play some varsity ball this year?” Headrick asked.

Loveday replied, “Once you get issued a purple helmet, we play the best. We don’t care what grade you’re in.”

It didn’t take Loveday and his staff long to see Headrick belonged on the field.

Headrick not only played as a freshman, but started seven games at cornerback, seven at wide receiver, and all 11 games as the punt returner.

Did he expect to be such an impact player?

“No, but I was going to try anything and everything to get on the field,” Headrick said. “That’s what I did. I went to my coaches the first day and asked them what I could do, and they moved my positions so I could play. I was originally going to be a receiver and a safety, but the spots were filled up, so they moved me to corner.”

There was no sophomore slump in 2023 for Headrick, the 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year.

Headrick, the starting cornerback and punt returner in every game, set Sevier County’s single-season record with 12 interceptions – he already holds the school’s career record with 15 interceptions – and helped the Smoky Bears (10-2, 5-0 in Region 1-5A) advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

“He got thrown in the fire pretty quick, but he’s a kid coming up that we knew was a tremendous athlete with great hand-eye coordination,” Loveday said. “He’s one of the only kids I’ve had in 20-some-odd years that can be full speed and vertical in one step. He’s got the explosiveness of a gymnast. He can get off the ground really quick and just has incredible ball skills.”

Headrick’s diminutive stature – he stands about 5-foot-5 – can fool opposing teams.

“He more than makes up for it,” Loveday said. “I think that’s why he got a lot of opportunities on defense where balls were thrown his way. We had (senior cornerback) Malachi Pate on the other side, a good athlete as well, and when you see a sophomore at 5-5 at corner, all these offensive coordinators think that’s who they’re going to try to pick on. People kept trying him, and he kept making them pay for it.”

Headrick credits secondary coach Shane Kelley for his big season on defense.

“Me and him worked hard during the summer to get me to where I could play a lot,” Headrick said. “We worked on my craft and he taught me some secrets, so I just baited (the quarterbacks) and then I went and got the ball.”

PUTTING UP BIG NUMBERS

As a freshman, Headrick had 28 total tackles (24 solo) with three interceptions, three tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He had 22 catches for 223 yards and a 55-yard punt return for touchdown.

Last season, Headrick’s 12 interceptions led the state, and he was an All-Region 1-5A first-team selection. He had 47 total tackles (38 solo) with two tackles for loss (one sack), eight pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.

Loveday said Headrick’s mentality separates him from many players in the secondary.

“I think a lot of defensive backs say they want the ball coming their way, but he legitimately wants the football,” Loveday said. “He plays it like a receiver on defense. He gets in the game of kind of trying to bait quarterbacks to throw it his way because he wants that action with it. But more than that, he’s a great kid and fun to coach. Whatever sport it is, he’ll be one of the best ones at it.”

Headrick’s impact wasn’t limited in 2023. He had 17 catches for 273 yards and six touchdowns, along with two punt returns for touchdowns. Three of his TD catches came on fake field-goal attempts when he caught passes from the holder, senior Mason Ellis.

Loveday said Headrick’s punt returns are special.

“He’s kind of cold blooded. He has no fear,” Loveday said. “Just like at corner, as a punt returner, he wants an opportunity to return it. He’s one of those kids you kind of give the green light. Sometimes he won’t fair catch it when you think he should, but he makes people pay more than not when he gets his hands on it.”

THREE-SPORT STANDOUT

Headrick is the starting point guard for Sevier County’s basketball team, earning the starting job as a freshman when the Smoky Bears (17-14) got on a postseason roll and advanced to the 2023 Class 4A state quarterfinals.

In the spring, Headrick will return to the track and field team, for which he’s a long jumper and sprinter on relay teams.

“I prefer football over everything,” Headrick said. “Then it goes basketball and track. Basketball, I like playing with all my friends and just going pretty far in the season. Football, there’s nothing like it. You just go out there, play with your friends, be with the coaches who are there to support you and love you. Football’s just where it’s at.

Does he like defense or offense?

“I’ve preferred defense my whole life in basketball and football,” Headrick said. “There’s just nothing like harassing the offensive team.”

Loveday has seen Headrick’s competitive nature for years. Headrick used to play travel baseball with Ellis, Loveday’s stepson.

“I have no question if he wanted to play baseball, he’d fit in the lineup somewhere,” Loveday said. “I think he just has that mentality. You can see it in basketball.

“The better the competition, the better the point guard is on the other team, he seems to play better. He likes the competition and challenging himself. He’s never satisfied with himself and pushes himself. He may be too hard on himself sometimes, but that’s all traits you want.”

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2018 — Kalib Fortner (Central)
2019 — Marshaun Bowers (TKA/West)
2020 — Aaron Davis (Alcoa)
2021 — Steven Soles (Powell)
2022 — Carson Nivens (Oliver Springs)