Edwin Spillman, Ty Clark III highlight Joe Spears’ 2023 All-615 Team

Offense

Quarterback

Braden Graham, Riverdale, Sr.: The jump Graham has made from his junior year to his senior year has been a ton of fun to watch. When a guy has passed for nearly 3,000 yards and more than 30 touchdowns with only one interception, yeah that’s my quarterback.

Running backs

Daune Morris, Oakland, Jr.: There may be running backs who have better stats than Morris but in my eyes, this kid is an elite back. This year Morris has accounted for 983 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with a team-high 303 receiving yards and three more touchdowns.

Ty Clark III, FRA, Sr.: If Clark isn’t this year’s DII-AA Mr. Football winner then I’d be shocked. FRA has a ton of great offensive threats but no one strikes fear into opposing defenses like Clark. There’s a reason ACC and SEC schools have started to show major interest in him.

Wide receivers

Brock Montgomery, Riverdale, Sr.: Montgomery is easily the top receiver in our area this year and it could be argued he’s the best in the state. Pairing him with Graham elevated both of their games to an elite level. Big, strong, and fast with great hands, I’m perplexed that major Power Five programs haven’t gotten involved in his recruitment…yet.

Charlie Becker, Father Ryan, Sr.: The Indiana commitment has missed some games this year but when he’s played he’s been nearly unguardable. In 5.5 games Becker caught 29 passes for 597 yards and 12 touchdowns.

D’Arious Reed, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.: Being the next guy up after Barion Brown was never going to be easy for anyone. Reed accepted that challenge last season and has thrived since. While he’s only played in five games, Reed leads the Firebirds in receiving yards (387), and receptions (19) and is tied for the team lead in touchdowns (6).

Offensive linemen

Chauncey Gooden, Lipscomb Academy, Jr.: Gooden has over 50 offers to his name. That’s no fluke. He’s one of the best in the country and has enjoyed a great junior season.

Javier Gaspar, Smith County, Sr.: Gaspar is a fierce defensive lineman for the Owls but is also their nastiest offensive lineman. On an offense that runs the ball like Smith County does, you need a guy like Gaspar leading the way.

Jesse Perry, MTCS, Sr.: MTCS runs an offense that averages over 200 yards per game on the ground. A lot of that success is because of their Vol offensive line commitment in Perry who opens up massive holes.

John Wayne Oliver, CPA, Sr.: Oliver, an Ole Miss commitment, would be my pick for the top offensive lineman in the state. The Lions continually run behind him with great success.

Luke Masterson, FRA, Sr.: I saw Masterson against Davidson Academy and was impressed with what he did on both sides of the field. The North Carolina commitment continually opens up continually opens massive gaps for Ty Clark to run through.

Athlete

Tyson Wolcott, Friendship Christian, Sr.: Is there anything Tyson Wolcott can’t do? Not only is he the Commanders’ top defensive player but he’s my favorite for DII-A Mr. Football. Wolcott’s rushed for over 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns through nine games.

Kicker

Landric Mayeski, Independence, Jr.: Consistency is what I look for in a kicker. If they can hit from 45+ yards as well, that’s even better. Mayeski fits that bill for me. On the year he’s 27-for-27 on PATs and 5-of-7 on field goals with a long of 48 yards.

Defense

Linemen/EDGEs

Atticus Fiorita, Mt. Juliet, Jr.: Fiorita leads the area with an incredible 13 sacks coming off of the edge. That’s absurd and the fact that he’s only a junior is a terrifying thought. He’s only going to get better and I’m not sure how you stop him.

Eric Hazzard, Page, Jr.: Eric Hazzard may only be a junior but like Fiorita, he’s a grown man already and plays like it coming off the edge. He’ll more than likely finish the regular season with more than 10 sacks and seems to be in the backfield constantly.

Ethan Utley, Ensworth, Jr.: Utley is a monster on the defensive line and one of the defensive line prospects in the country for the 2025 class. His stats may not be as eye-popping as others but that’s because he’s constantly being double or triple-teamed.

Linebackers

Crews Law, CPA, Sr.: On offense, Law is a problem to bring down but on defense, I’d never want to have to go against him. The leader of a dominant CPA defense, Mack Brown will be lucky to have this kid in Chapel Hill once his high school career is over.

DJ Curll, Centennial, Sr.: Curll’s enjoyed a monster senior year for the Cougars manning the middle of their stout defense. He’s racked up close to 90 tackles and 4.5 sacks entering the final week of the regular season.

Edwin Spillman, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: Spillman’s been viewed as the top linebacker in the state for a while now and that’s for a good reason. The future Vol is arguably the state’s hardest hitter and an overall elite linebacker prospect.

Korey Smith, Oakland, Sr.: The first time I watched Smith play as a sophomore I knew he was going to be a problem for a while. Smith now leads an Oakland defense that has only allowed 80 points on the year and seems poised to win its fourth straight state title.

Zeion Simpson-Smith, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.: There are several guys in Class 4A who could win Mr. Football but I don’t think any have been as dominant as Simpson-Smith. He’s recorded close to 70 tackles, over 20 tackles for loss, and six sacks on what may be the best defense in the state regardless of class.

Defensive Backs

Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: As a junior Beasley had the best season I’ve ever seen a high school cornerback have. His numbers may not be quite like they were last year but that’s because teams are smartly not throwing at him as much. Vols fans are going to love this guy at the next level.

Kaiki Baker, Hillsboro, Sr.: With the two cornerbacks I selected for my team, I need a safety who can patrol the field and prevent any type of big play. That safety is easily Baker. While a standout on offense as well, he entered last week with 49 tackles, six pass breakups, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.

Ondre Evans, CPA, Sr.: Kirby Smart doesn’t just extend offers to everyone. The fact that Smart wants Evans as a Bulldogs and that he’s going there is all I need to know how elite he is. I’ve also seen him play several times now and it’s not often teams test him which is probably for the best.

Athlete

Dominic Reed, Centennial, Sr.: I’ve made it very clear that Reed is my favorite to win the Class 5A Mr. Football award. While he’s great on offense, his work on defense is what has stood out to me. Seemingly involved in every play, the way Reed plays the game is just something to be in awe of.

Punter

Jacob Taylor, Oakland, Sr. I love me some special teams action. A punter that has a boomstick in high school can be hard to find. That’s not the case for Taylor who’s averaged 44.5 yards on eight punts and pinned three inside the 20.