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Yesterday we highlighted 47 large class area players you need to see during the postseason. Now we’ll take a look at 42 of the best from our medium class teams.
Teams in the 615 Preps coverage considered medium class teams come from Class 5A, Class 4A and Division II-AA.
Full of Division I talent and teams looking to compete for gold balls, these are some of the best players in the state regardless of class.
GET AFTER THEM: Picking our favorite under-the-radar players in the 615 Preps coverage area
SPEARS: Who I think should be this year’s Mr. Football winners
Class 5A
Chelton Swafford, Beech: Swafford is Beech’s home run threat on offense. The junior back has accounted for 969 yards and 11 touchdowns on 115 carries.
Gunnar Clary, Beech: When it comes to linebackers in the 615, Clary is easily one of the best. So far this season he’s racked up 87 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Kaden Powell, Beech: Powell may be a Kentucky baseball commitment but the junior could somehow find himself on a football field at the next level as well. He leads the Bucs offense passing for 780 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 576 yards and 10 more touchdowns.
Kani’ Johnson, Centennial: When the Cougars need a touchdown, they turn to Johson. He’s a weapon whenever he touches the ball and will be key for any sustained postseason success for Centennial.
Riley Turner, Centennial: Turner’s taken the starting quarterback role for the Cougars this season and run with it. They’ll need him at his best when they kick off the playoffs against Lincoln County.
Cooper Jordan, Hendersonville: One half of the Jordan twins, Cooper leads them on offense and defense. Offensively he has 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns on 166 carries. On defense he has 22 tackles, three pass breakups, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Riley Jordan, Hendersonville: Riley’s been Hendersonville’s best receiving threat. He has 30 receptions for 637 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense he has 25 takckles and five pass break ups.
Caleb Sams, Hendersonville: Sams has done well in his first year as the Commandos’ starting quarterback. He’s thrown for 1,309 yards, 10 touchdowns and also rushed for four more touchdowns.
Justin Carrethers, Hillsboro: Carrethers stays active on the Burros defense accounting for 53 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks.
Brayden Hightower, Hillsboro: Hightower’s recorded 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.
Zion Puckett, Hillsboro: Puckett patrols the Burros’ secondary and has accounted for 53 tackles, three interceptions, two pass break ups and a defensive touchdown.
Oliver Bender, Nolensville: The Knights’ offense can be hit or miss but Bender is the one consistent. A rising junior, he’ll need to make plays for Nolensville early against Tullahoma.
Brenden Anes, Page, Sr.: A newly pledged Tennessee commitment, Anes is putting up career numbers for the Patriots during his senior year. He’s regarded as one of the best linebackers in the state regardless of class and that’s a fact that can’t be argued.
Eric Hazzard, Page, Sr.: There may not be a more explosive EDGE rusher in the state than Hazzard. The Louisville commitment is again putting up monster numbers but typically is at his best when the Patriots hit their postseason stride.
William Wiebush, Page, Sr.: Offense, defense, special teams, Wiebush does it all. A Wake Forest commitment, he’s back in his natural role full-time manning the Patriots’ secondary from his safety role.
KJ Chatman, Springfield: Chatman suffered a knee injury last year cutting his season short but has been a weapon for the Yellow Jackets this season. On the year he’s rushed for 461 yards and seven touchdowns while recording a team-high 56 tackles on defense.
Lamarious Dowlen, Springfield: Dowlen is Springfield’s big hitter on defense. On the season he has 44 tackles along with a team-high 12 tackles for loss and sacks.
Jaidon Hurst, Springfield: Hurst is the other half of Springfield’s one-two punch on the ground. He leads the team with 855 yards and nine touchdowns on 105 carries.
Class 4A
Gabe Borders, Macon County: A two-time Mr. Football finalist, Borders has 1,174 all-purpose yards this season to go along with 19 touchdowns. On defense he has 22 tackles, an interception and a sack.
Zach Borders, Macon County: Borders leads the Tigers’ rushing attack with 970 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has six pass breakups on defense.
LJ Funk, Pearl-Cohn: A lot of questions surrounding Funk when it was announced he was transferring from Brentwood to Pearl-Cohn. He’s answered all questions by completing 70% of his passes for 1,433 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
Kyler Garcia, Pearl-Cohn: It could be argued that Garcia, an Indiana commitment, has been the Firebirds’ best defensive player the last two seasons. This year he’s accounted for 46 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and a team-high eight sacks.
Javion Kinnard, Pearl-Cohn: Kinnard is the Firebirds’ do-it-all weapon on offense and special teams. On offense he’s rushed for 885 yards and 12 touchdowns while also catching 23 passes for 584 yards and four touchdowns.
Kelton Crisp, Station Camp: Crisp leads the Bison defense with 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries, four sacks, three blocks kickes, three forced fumbles and an interception.
Ocoee Ellis, Station Camp: Ellis is another standout defensive player for the Bison racking up 58 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three blocked kicks, a forced fumble and a sack.
Colton Overby, Station Camp: Overby is the engine that makes the Bison offense go. He’s thrown for 1,797 yards and 10 touchdowns to go with 473 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Division II-AA
Kaedyn Marable, BGA: A true dual-threat, Marable’s completed 75% of his passes for 2,374 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 374 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Locke Kennedy, BGA: Kennedy is Marable’s favorite target catching 33 passes for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Nate Fleming, BGA: Fleming has 36 total tackles to go along with 11 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Hutson Chance, CPA, Sr.: Chance has completed 63% of his passes for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns with four interceptions.
Owen Cabell, CPA: One of the best receivers in the state, Cabell has 33 receptions for 749 yards, 10 touchdowns and also has two kickoffs returned for touchdowns.
Rawls Patterson, CPA: Patterson missed a few games but still led the Lions rushing attack with 816 yards and nine touchdowns on 120 carries.
Steele Chance, CPA: Chance led the Lions’ defense with 90 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
Ksaun Barksdale, Davidson Academy: The Bears have had their issues this year but they may have found their quarterback of the future. Only a sophomore, Barksdale’s completed 57% of his passes for 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Joshua Bolden, Davidson Academy: When Barksdale needs someone to may a play, he turns to Bolden. The senior leads the Bears with 32 receptions for 774 yards and nine touchdowns.
Caden Stroud, Davidson Academy: Stroud broke onto the scene as a sophomore and has only gotten better. This season he’s rushed for 1,203 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Mike Hassell, FRA: On a team full of explosive, young talent, Hassell is one of the elder statesmen as a junior. He leads the Panthers in rushing and is also a threat in the kick return game.
Roman Mahlerwein, FRA: Mahlerwein’s of the few seniors leading an explosive Panthers offense. While he’s more of a threat passing the ball, he can do damage with his legs.
Omarii Sanders, FRA: Sanders is the state’s top sophomore prospect and for good reason. He’s huge, already looks like a college player and is easily one of the state’s hardest hitting defensive players.
Bo Bailey, Pope John Paul II: When the Knights look to run the ball, they turn to Bailey. He’s accounted for 957 yards and nine touchdowns on 187 carries.
Hudson Holman, Pope John Paul II: Holman is the Knights’ quarterback of the future. The sophomore completed 55% of his passes for 1,544 yards and 18 touchdowns.
