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You’ve seen the lists we put together for the players we felt like the best we’ve seen play, but what about the guys we enjoyed watching the most?
We could easily put some of those guys on these lists that’s no fun. On these lists you’ll find some stars of course, but also some guys that just made plays on a nightly basis. Some of the guys may not be the “best” players on their team, but if they were fun to watch and memorable, we’ve got them on here.
Here are five players that Cam, Chris, Joe, KJ, and Scott have enjoyed the most watching on Friday nights.
*Note: Players included in our ‘Top 5 Best’ lists will not be featured on these lists.
Cam Reid
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Pearl Cohn (2015): Vaughn was lightning in a bottle personified. At any time he could change the game.
Tacola Seay, Trousdale County (2010): As the late Mark Howard once described him, Seay often turned into a form of transportation, carry would be tacklers down the field.
Jordan James, Oakland (2022): One of the smoothest football players I’ve watched play. He was so dominant and explosive but never seemed to have to exhaust all his effort to do so.
Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy (2024): I may be a little bias here… Go Vols. The swagger that Beasley plays with is something that I enjoyed especially when you can back it up the way he did with 24 career interceptions.
Seth Carlisle, Macon County (2017): Carlisle was Mr. Do it All for the tigers. His ability to pass, run, and make key defensive plays were the catalyst to some of the best Macon County wins in recent history. Seth also led the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles defense the last 3 seasons as a LB.
Honorable Mentions: Bo Wallace (Giles County, 2010), Jack Jones (Oakland, 2015), Kenyan Harper (Trousdale County, 2015)
Chris Brooks
Alex Broome, Lipscomb Academy (2021): Broome was the one who made those great Lipscomb Academy offenses complete, and his talent at the running back position obviously runs in the family. One of the smartest players I’ve ever interviewed and his personality didn’t hurt, either.
Destin Wade/Keaten Wade/Brady Pierce, Summit (2021): I’m cheating here and pairing the Wade twins together with Brady Pierce, but at Summit you really had to because it was so hard to mention one without the others. Always enjoyed talking with all three of them. That 2020 Spartan team was a true force largely because of that trio.
Jordan Mason, Gallatin (2016): Mason’s talent shined at Gallatin and early on at Georgia Tech, and now the 49ers are putting him in a position to succeed. You knew Ponchez was getting the ball at Gallatin and it just didn’t matter. Easy to root for someone who’s put in that kind of work to make his dreams come true.
Seth Carlisle, Macon County (2017): Would be wrong of me to not include a hometown pick here. I’m going with the most successful quarterback Macon County’s ever had, who transitioned into a stellar linebacker at Tennessee Tech.
John Wayne Oliver, CPA (2024): He’s named after The Duke and plays with that edge that every tackle should have. There isn’t a team around that wouldn’t want him anchoring their line. Ole Miss is getting a monster.
Honorable Mentions: Brock Montgomery (Riverdale, 2024), Chance Fitzgerald and Samson Johnson (Nolensville, 2023), Eric Hazzard (Page, 2025)
Joe Spears
Brock Montgomery, Riverdale (2024): My biggest question with Montgomery is how aren’t more schools going after him? Big, strong, and fast, Montgomery is guaranteed a touchdown or two every game. UConn is getting a day-one WR1.
Chance Fitzgerald, Nolensville (2023): Fitzgerald was Nolensville’s WR1 the moment he stepped on the field. He got better year after year and by his senior year was easily one of the state’s top receivers. Anytime I was headed to Nolensville I knew he was about to put on a show.
Eric Hazzard, Page (2025): My recency bias may be showing here but I remember watching Hazzard as a sophomore and immediately thinking he was going to be a force. Since then, he’s done just that and is only getting better each week. His ceiling is extremely high and I’m glad I’m not an opposing quarterback who has to see him come off the edge.
Javion Kinnard, Pearl-Cohn (2025): I couldn’t put Barion Brown on my list again so why not pick the next Firebird who reminds me of him? Only a junior, Kinnard’s future is beyond bright as he’s a threat to score any time the ball touches his hands.
Kaleb Carver, Green Hill (2023): The first time I saw Carver play he scored multiple touchdowns in a 48-0 rout of Station Camp. I was a fan from that point on. Now playing at UIndy, a spot right down the road from where I used to live, I’ve continued following his career because of how electric he is.
Honorable mentions: Destin Wade (Summit, 2022), Edwin Spillman (Lipscomb Academy, 2024), Ty Clark (FRA, 2024)
KJ Harris
Alex Broome, Lipscomb Academy (2022): Playing with Broome made my job as a tight end remarkably easy. His patience in the hole and explosive speed bursts were truly remarkable making him a special talent and providing me with ideal opportunities to excel in my role.
Darius Johnson, Beech (2023): Playing alongside Johnson was a remarkable experience. His presence on the defensive line resulted in numerous sacks and created chaos. Beyond what he did on defense, Johnson’s offensive contributions were crucial in elevating our team to a state championship appearance in 2022.
Keaten Wade, Summit (2022): Facing Wade on the field was a constant struggle given his imposing size and strength. His unique pass rush moves posed a challenge and it became apparent that was a reason why I never emerged victorious against Summit.
Spencer Briggs, Gallatin (2020): Briggs was a force to be reckoned with throughout his senior year. Carrying the Green Wave to a region championship appearance against Beech my sophomore year, his running style, speed and down-hill approach were key factors that propelled him to the next level.
Tysean Jefferson, Beech (2021): Jefferson was a game-changer and really made my life as a tight end easy. During his senior year he accumulated over 1,300 rushing yards and made huge defensive contributions on the defensive side of the ball.
Honorable mentions: Destin Wade (Summit, 2022), Jamarr Jones (Pope Prep, 2023), Torin Baker (Hendersonville, 2022)
Scott Burton
AJ Quinn, Davidson Academy (2021): Few players played the game with the same passion as Quinn. As a linebacker, he wreaked havoc scoring 4 defensive touchdowns. As a tight end, he recorded 105 catches and 27 touchdowns. The consummate leader on the field, his Bear teams won three straight state championships in 2018, 2019, and 2020 going undefeated in 2018 and 2020.
Brady Pierce, Summit (2022): Pierce was another one of those “that guy” players who had an impact in all facets of the game. He plays with an edge and an urgency that belies his 6’ frame. Versatile, he played made 137 tackles and corralled 5 picks as a safety, had 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns as a wide receiver and punt returner. He was also a punter and a holder. Find the ball, you’ll find Brady.
Iven Dayton Jr., Pearl-Cohn (2021): Dayton was usually the least intimidating player on the field until the whistle blew. His 4.3 40 speed made tackling him nearly impossible. Standing only 5’4” and weighing a mere 150 pounds, his heart and grit measurables were off the charts.
Ray Banner, La Vergne (2021): Banner burst onto the scene his junior year, but most didn’t find out about him until his senior year when he rushed for 1,727 yards, 24 touchdowns, and was a Mr. Football finalist. He was a blue-collar talent who carried the ball whenever called upon, which was most offensive snaps. Soft-spoken and humble, he did his talking between the hash marks.
Tysean Jefferson, Beech (2022): Jefferson played the game with joy and just a hint of mischief. He was electric off the field and a heck of a lot of fun to talk to post-game. Fearless in the middle, if you gave him a seam he would be in your secondary before you knew it. He rushed for 2,850 and had 34 TDs.
Honorable mentions: Chance Fitzgerald (Nolensville, 2023), Jake McNamara (Page, 2022), Kaleb Carver (Green Hill, 2023),
