Year in and year out the state of Tennessee produces some of the best high school football players in the country.
As sports reporters, we’re lucky enough to cover several of those players throughout their high school careers. Our group is also lucky enough to have a diverse range of reporters who have been in the state for different periods of time to see different eras of players come through.
With that in mind, here are the five best players Cam, Chris, Joe, KJ, and Scott feel like they’ve seen in person around the state whether it’s as fans, reporters, or in KJ’s case, a former player.
Cam Reid
Cordarrian Richardson, Trezevant (2017): Richardson led the Bears to back-to-back state titles before setting his sites on Power 5 football. Richardson had a unique package of size, speed, and physicality.
I’Tavious Mathers, Blackman (2012): No one seemed to be able to tackle this guy. He was extremely dynamic and could make a house call on any play.
Jalen Hurd, Beech (2014): I had the chance to see Jalen several times while he played on Shackle Island. His junior season is arguably the greatest season in Tennessee High School Football for a running back. He still holds the single-season rushing yards record with 3,357.
Randall Cobb, Alcoa (2008): The moment when you know you are seeing something, or in this case someone, that is special but are too young to realize it. I had the opportunity to watch Randall Cobb and Alcoa battle Benjamin Cunningham and Goodpasture as just a 10-year-old.
T.T. Harper, Trousdale County (2002): Little in stature (5’5) but everyone across the state knew 25 was that dude. If he had a little more size, he likely plays big-time college football. (Only player I’ve seen get hit in the ankles, do a front flip, and keep running.)
Honorable mentions: Charlie High, Amari Rodgers, Terrell Robinson.
Chris Brooks
Jalen Hurd, Beech (2013): Never saw a player completely take over a game like Hurd did. And on multiple occasions, too. It will take a special player to top his 2012 season.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Northeast (2012): He’s a special teams ace in the NFL, but his time at Northeast prepared him for it as he did it all while with the Eagles.
Golden Tate, Pope Prep (2006): Dynamic – that describes Tate perfectly. Always a threat to take it to the house. A two-sport stud at Pope Prep, and had a very productive career in the NFL.
Eddie Moore, South Pittsburg (1999): While at UT, he was somebody you didn’t want to see when you broke through a hole as a ballcarrier. At South Pitt, he was the one you didn’t want to see coming at you with the ball.
Josh Malone, Station Camp (2013): As tough a matchup as there was for defensive backs last decade, and if you punted to him, that was usually a mistake.
Honorable mentions: T.T. Harper, Barion Brown, Kaleb Beasley
Joe Spears
Barion Brown, Pearl-Cohn (2022): Probably the easiest choice on my list if I’m being honest, and the most electric player I’ve covered since moving to Tennessee in 2018. Brown was the Pearl-Cohn offense for stretches of time and that was just fine. If you didn’t have your camera going whenever he was on the field, you likely missed a highlight.
Jordan James, Oakland (2022): Admittedly I didn’t get to see James much but when I did he was putting on a show. Whether it was in the 29-21 win over Lipscomb Academy, the six-touchdown game against Brentwood in the 2021 6A title game, or his high school finale against Summit in the 2022 championship, James was a problem for any opposing defense.
Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy (2024): Beasley ended his high school career with 24 interceptions and so many defensive touchdowns that I lost count. At the high school level, I’ve never quite seen a cornerback like Beasley and it may be awhile before I see another like him.
Keaten Wade, Summit (2022): An injury hampered Wade’s junior year but that didn’t change anything in my eyes. Wade was a key part of the Spartans’ run to three straight state title games. He also produced some of the nastiest hits I’ve seen on a high school field.
Malaki Dowell, White County (2023): What Dowell accomplished his senior year was something truly special to behold. Had it not been for a hamstring injury midway through the season, we’re talking about him holding the state’s season rushing record. Teams knew he was going to get the ball and there was nothing they could do about it.
Honorable Mentions: John Wayne Oliver, Junior Sherrell, Kenny Minchey
KJ Harris
Christopher Carroll, Beech (2013): Carroll solidified himself as one of the best defensive players in the state during his senior year. His contributions set a school record and played a pivotal role in securing a state title for the Bucs.
Jalen Hurd, Beech (2013): Hurd’s prowess was undeniably marked by his numerous state records and achievements. Holding records like the most touchdowns in a state championship game, single-season rushing record, and leading the Bucs to the 2012 state title, Hurd’s athleticism and playmaking ability set the stage for a standout career that eventually led him to the NFL.
Jalen Ramsey, Brentwood Academy (2013): Ramsey distinguished himself as an outstanding cornerback showcasing a rare blend of athleticism, instincts, and skill. His exceptional skills as a cornerback and safety coupled with natural football acumen laid the foundation for a promising career that propelled him into the NFL.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Northeast (2012): Reeves-Maybin’s excellence at Northeast stemmed from his exceptional speed, agility, and intelligence. A standout linebacker and playmaker, his knack for making impactful tackles hinted at a promising college and NFL career.
Josh Malone, Station Camp (2013): Malone’s brilliance was displayed in an intense ESPN matchup against Jalen Hurd and Beech. That game would be one of many where he displayed his skills as a top receiver.
Honorable mentions: Golden Tate (Pope John Paul II, 2007), Randall Cobb (Alcoa, 2008)
Scott Burton
Barion Brown, Pearl-Cohn (2022): Brown was a human highlight reel who walked the walk and talked the talk on the gridiron and on the track. He is lighting up the Bluegrass at the University of Kentucky now.
Destin Wade, Summit (2022): At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Wade was a combination of speed and power that gashed offenses for big yards but also possessed a powerful arm. The future Kentucky quarterback is a big reason that Summit went to the Blue Cross Bowl for three straight years, winning it all as 5A champions in 2020.
James Moore, Stratford (2020): The 2019 Mr. Football was nicknamed “Magic”, and I was there the night he tied the state record for carries in a game with 56 and literally carried Stratford to a 14-7 win and second place in the region.
Jauan Jennings, Blackman (2015): They say heroes are made in the moment, and I had a front-row seat to the moment Jauan Jennings took his first steps toward the next level, the 17-3 win over Oakland in the 2014 quarterfinals.
Junior Colson, Ravenwood (2021): Colson was one of those do-everything players at Ravenwood. He was a fierce hitter on defense and a solid WR on offense. A big part of the 2019 Blue Cross Bowl 6A runner-up, he now is in his senior season at the “Big House” in Ann Arbor.
Honorable Mentions: Mose Phillips III, Tyson Wolcott