How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall it was good we went 7-3 and made the playoffs which was a step up from freshman year. I had a productive year reaching 1000 all-purpose yards 75 touches 6 touchdowns. Included 13 KR for 379 yards so not a bad year at all.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My off season plans are to get back on the weights hard, put on a couple pounds and work on my speed and craft. I’ll also be playing 7v7 elite travel football to stay active.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Next year our team will still be young but we are talented at all the positions. We just have to put it together and if so, next season could be another playoff run.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Pearl Cohn will be our toughest opponent and it’s a regional game. They are always tough.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Pearl Cohn has a tough RB with lots of speed as well as Marshal county’s WR AJ Jones [he] will be a tough one to slow down.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I would love to play college football. That is my [goal] that I work for every day.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges have spoken to me directly but I have received emails for camp invites and junior days and game day visits to schools like Lindsey Wilson, Ball State, Nicholls State, MTSU, etc .”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Don’t really have a specific school showing interest at the moment. I'm just class of ‘25 but I’m hoping that changes this season.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I have had a game day visit to MTSU which I really like as well as KY which was a great experience as well.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“This coming up season I have a lot of camps and hope to have more visits coming up junior season.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up, I've pretty much always cheered for Vanderbilt and Tennessee.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“It was great overall, [I was] number 2 in sacks and 3-time champion so it was great.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Get better and stronger, working on my craft every day and in the weight room 5 times a week getting better.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel my team will do great, [we] should 4 peat because we got a dog mentality.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Riverdale should probably be our toughest this season.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Probably will be Brock from Riverdale, he is a great wide receiver.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do want to play sports in college, I will like to keep pursuing football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Kentucky, Memphis, Miami Ohio, EKU, FAU, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, Central Michigan, and UTM.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Toledo and Miami Ohio.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I just left Arkansas.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes I want to go back to some of the schools that offered me.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“LSU was my favorite college growing up.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Went good, just came up short.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I will be a freak of nature next year.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Undefeated state champs.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I’m not losing.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Maybe Crews Law.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Just football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Vandy, Wake Forest, and I got a lot of camp invites.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Right now I don’t see any.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Two.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Only camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Bama.”

Find out what colleges are recruiting Zeion Simpson-Smith, Korey Smith, Jayden Elliott, Andrew Blevins, and Kireese Willis now!


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Pearl-Cohn running back Zeion Simpson-Smith​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Just football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Vandy, Wake Forest, and I got a lot of camp invites.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Right now I don’t see any.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Two.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Only camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Bama.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Oakland linebacker Korey Smith​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do want to play sports in college, I will like to keep pursuing football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Kentucky, Memphis, Miami Ohio, EKU, FAU, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, Central Michigan, and UTM.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Toledo and Miami Ohio.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I just left Arkansas.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes I want to go back to some of the schools that offered me.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“LSU was my favorite college growing up.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Creek Wood athlete Jayden Elliott​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I would love to play college football. That is my [goal] that I work for every day.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges have spoken to me directly but I have received emails for camp invites and junior days and game day visits to schools like Lindsey Wilson, Ball State, Nicholls State, MTSU, etc .”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Don’t really have a specific school showing interest at the moment. I'm just class of ‘25 but I’m hoping that changes this season.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I have had a game day visit to MTSU which I really like as well as KY which was a great experience as well.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“This coming up season I have a lot of camps and hope to have more visits coming up junior season.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up, I've pretty much always cheered for Vanderbilt and Tennessee.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Elizabethton defensive end Andrew Blevins​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would love to play college football! I don’t care which college, I have love for the sport and will play it anywhere.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I have been talking to multiple schools, including power 5s, so-cons, SECs, and some smaller schools.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I would say the so-con teams have been recruiting me the most at the moment.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have been to multiple college game days, junior days, and spring practices.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I am planning to go to Ohio State in the spring.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college is The University of Tennessee.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with East Hamilton defensive back Kireese Willis​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to play football in college whether it’s DB or WR.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“The colleges that have been recruiting me have been Florida A&M, EKU, and University of Pennsylvania.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Recruiting me the hardest at the moment is the University of Pennsylvania.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve made trips to UTC, Vanderbilt, and Murray State so far.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have plans to go to FAMU and PENN in the next two weekends.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up was Florida.”


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Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


......................................................................................................


Q&A with Pearl-Cohn running back Zeion Simpson-Smith
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Went good, just came up short.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I will be a freak of nature next year.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Undefeated state champs.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I’m not losing.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Maybe Crews Law.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Oakland linebacker Korey Smith
How did the high school football season go overall?
“It was great overall, [I was] number 2 in sacks and 3-time champion so it was great.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Get better and stronger, working on my craft every day and in the weight room 5 times a week getting better.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel my team will do great, [we] should 4 peat because we got a dog mentality.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Riverdale should probably be our toughest this season.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Probably will be Brock from Riverdale, he is a great wide receiver.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Creek Wood athlete Jayden Elliott
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall it was good we went 7-3 and made the playoffs which was a step up from freshman year. I had a productive year reaching 1000 all-purpose yards 75 touches 6 touchdowns. Included 13 KR for 379 yards so not a bad year at all.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My off season plans are to get back on the weights hard, put on a couple pounds and work on my speed and craft. I’ll also be playing 7v7 elite travel football to stay active.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Next year our team will still be young but we are talented at all the positions. We just have to put it together and if so, next season could be another playoff run.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Pearl Cohn will be our toughest opponent and it’s a regional game. They are always tough.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Pearl Cohn has a tough RB with lots of speed as well as Marshal county’s WR AJ Jones [he] will be a tough one to slow down.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Elizabethton defensive end Andrew Blevins
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Our last football season didn’t go how we had hoped for it to go. We lost in the second round of the TSSAA playoffs to the team that ended up winning state, Anderson County. I really think we could’ve beat them if we had played our cards right.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My Plans and workouts right now are 6:30 am workouts Mon, Wed, Fri. I have baseball practices from around 3:15pm to 6ish pm 6 out of the 7 days of the week, and then I tend to go workout at my local gym (star fitness) after baseball practice and get recovery there.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Our upcoming season should be hopefully one of the best! We have so much talent at every position, the team we have has great team chemistry as-well, I love every single one of my teammates like they are my family! I believe we will make it back to Chattanooga.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I believe we will have our toughest battles fought against the green devils. They will be a challenge for us this year!”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest player we will face will most definitely be Amanuel Dickson, he gave us problems last year when we played GVille.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with East Hamilton defensive back Kireese Willis
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season went very well, can’t complain when you make it to the third round.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m running track and doing extra workouts to continue to get better.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Our team will be successful and expect nothing less from last year.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Since we are moving up I really don’t have a specific team that will be the toughest but everyone we play will be approached with the same mindset as in we are going to play hard regardless.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“There is no individual player that I can see that will give us problems rights now.”

......................................................................................................

How did the high school football season go overall?
“My season went well, [I was named] region 4-5a lineman of the year. But team wise we went 2-9.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plan is to keep working and improve for my senior year.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I don’t know how we’ll do, only god knows that but I know we’ve got a lot of hard working guys in the locker room and leaders so I think we’ll be ok.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think McMinn County will be the hardest team.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I don't know.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Carson-Newman, Cumberlands and UTC.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I’d say Carson Newman.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, Carson Newman, UTC, Cumberlands.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I’ll be at Carson Newman for a spring game.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, Tennessee.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“We had our ups and downs but overall it was a good season. We went 0-2 at the beginning of the season, we sat down, had a talk and said "no more losing and let’s give every game 110% .”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Right now I’m just lifting and running track.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we’re going to have a great season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I haven’t seen the schedules yet. But I really don’t know.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I don’t know.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yeah, any college that picks me up.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yeah, Louisville, UT, and Arkansas.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Don’t know yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“LSU.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“I felt our season went very well. We started off slow and quickly developed into the team we wanted to be.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan on growing this off-season. I have another year to play and expand myself as a person and athlete, so I hope to use this time to grow and develop as much as possible.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I think we’ll do just fine this upcoming season, we’re undoubtedly losing a lot of seniors but here in Fayetteville we don’t rebuild, we reload.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think our schedule is stacked with worthy opponents. We have multiple teams that we’ll be in tough competition with but I think Upperman week 1 will be a pretty fair game.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I’m not sure about this one, we haven’t really looked so far ahead right now as far as what other teams have, but mainly focusing on ourselves.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my hope is to get to the next level in any way possible, I hope for a good academic school that I can get my engineering degree from and also prosper in football as well.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Not many, I plan on attending some camps and things to get myself out there these next few months.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Not really any.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I haven’t made any trips yet, though I plan in the near future.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not specifically.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Being and growing up in Tennessee I’ve always naturally loved the Vols, love the atmosphere and program they have down there in Knoxville.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“For me I felt it was alright, it could’ve gone a lot better. In terms of my team and myself I felt we were way more talented than our record showed. We lost a lot of games we shouldn’t have, badly.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I just want to become as fast and explosive as I can right now and I’m developing my route running while also rehabbing my weaknesses.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel we will be great, we have a lot of young talent and a great core of talent overall.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Probably Bearden, they’re already 6A. They were a tough matchup last year and they have pretty much everyone coming back.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Either Frank Johnson IV or Steven Soles.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would love to play college football. I feel like I’m on my way.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“EKU, WKU, Mercer, Yale, Chattanooga, and some others with less contact.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Either Eastern Kentucky or Chattanooga.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve made one to EKU and three to Chattanooga.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I’m willing to go to anyone who wants to have me. I really want to work something out with WKU. And of course I’m looking to visit Tennessee.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Georgia and Tennessee have always been my favorite college teams, those are both my home states.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season that just ended went extremely well and was very fun besides the fact that we lost in the championship but I enjoyed every second of it.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I just finished wrestling season so I’m back with football so I’m just perfecting my craft, especially my speed and strength.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like the team next year will do good or even better, but it’s all on the players themselves.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel like we will not have any true competition in the regular season until we get into the 2nd or 3rd round of playoffs.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Ty Clark from FRA.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I want to play college football and make a career out of it, I would want to play at any FCS school or FBS division 1.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Semo, Arkansas State, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Charlotte, TSU, MTSU, Toledo, FAMU.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“All of them are about the same when it comes to how hard they are recruiting me.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I’ve made around 3 college trips to see how the schools are.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“No, not yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“University of Oregon has always been my favorite.”

Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


......................................................................................................


Q&A with East Nashville Magnet defensive tackle Malik Bolling
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season that just ended went extremely well and was very fun besides the fact that we lost in the championship but I enjoyed every second of it.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I just finished wrestling season so I’m back with football so I’m just perfecting my craft, especially my speed and strength.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like the team next year will do good or even better, but it’s all on the players themselves.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel like we will not have any true competition in the regular season until we get into the 2nd or 3rd round of playoffs.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Ty Clark from FRA.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Oak Ridge athlete Almani Rembert
How did the high school football season go overall?
“For me I felt it was alright, it could’ve gone a lot better. In terms of my team and myself I felt we were way more talented than our record showed. We lost a lot of games we shouldn’t have, badly.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I just want to become as fast and explosive as I can right now and I’m developing my route running while also rehabbing my weaknesses.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel we will be great, we have a lot of young talent and a great core of talent overall.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Probably Bearden, they’re already 6A. They were a tough matchup last year and they have pretty much everyone coming back.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Either Frank Johnson IV or Steven Soles.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Fayetteville offensive guard Isaiah Serrano
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I felt our season went very well. We started off slow and quickly developed into the team we wanted to be.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan on growing this off-season. I have another year to play and expand myself as a person and athlete, so I hope to use this time to grow and develop as much as possible.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I think we’ll do just fine this upcoming season, we’re undoubtedly losing a lot of seniors but here in Fayetteville we don’t rebuild, we reload.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think our schedule is stacked with worthy opponents. We have multiple teams that we’ll be in tough competition with but I think Upperman week 1 will be a pretty fair game.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I’m not sure about this one, we haven’t really looked so far ahead right now as far as what other teams have, but mainly focusing on ourselves.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton
How did the high school football season go overall?
“We had our ups and downs but overall it was a good season. We went 0-2 at the beginning of the season, we sat down, had a talk and said "no more losing and let’s give every game 110% .”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Right now I’m just lifting and running track.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we’re going to have a great season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I haven’t seen the schedules yet. But I really don’t know.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I don’t know.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Rhea County offensive center Maurice Shirley
How did the high school football season go overall?
“My season went well, [I was named] region 4-5a lineman of the year. But team wise we went 2-9.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plan is to keep working and improve for my senior year.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I don’t know how we’ll do, only god knows that but I know we’ve got a lot of hard working guys in the locker room and leaders so I think we’ll be ok.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think McMinn County will be the hardest team.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I don't know.”

......................................................................................................

Find out what colleges are recruiting Malik Bolling, Almani Rembert, Isaiah Serrano, Keshawn Tarleton, and Maurice Shirley now!


......................................................................................................

Q&A with East Nashville Magnet defensive tackle Malik Bolling​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I want to play college football and make a career out of it, I would want to play at any FCS school or FBS division 1.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Semo, Arkansas State, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Charlotte, TSU, MTSU, Toledo, FAMU.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“All of them are about the same when it comes to how hard they are recruiting me.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I’ve made around 3 college trips to see how the schools are.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“No, not yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“University of Oregon has always been my favorite.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Oak Ridge athlete Almani Rembert​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would love to play college football. I feel like I’m on my way.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“EKU, WKU, Mercer, Yale, Chattanooga, and some others with less contact.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Either Eastern Kentucky or Chattanooga.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve made one to EKU and three to Chattanooga.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I’m willing to go to anyone who wants to have me. I really want to work something out with WKU. And of course I’m looking to visit Tennessee.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Georgia and Tennessee have always been my favorite college teams, those are both my home states.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Fayetteville offensive guard Isaiah Serrano​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my hope is to get to the next level in any way possible, I hope for a good academic school that I can get my engineering degree from and also prosper in football as well.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Not many, I plan on attending some camps and things to get myself out there these next few months.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Not really any.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I haven’t made any trips yet, though I plan in the near future.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not specifically.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Being and growing up in Tennessee I’ve always naturally loved the Vols, love the atmosphere and program they have down there in Knoxville.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yeah, any college that picks me up.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yeah, Louisville, UT, and Arkansas.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Don’t know yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“LSU.”


......................................................................................................

Q&A with Rhea County offensive center Maurice Shirley​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Carson-Newman, Cumberlands and UTC.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I’d say Carson Newman.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, Carson Newman, UTC, Cumberlands.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I’ll be at Carson Newman for a spring game.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, Tennessee.”


......................................................................................................

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall the season went average last year. We went 6-4 and nothing special came out of it.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“To be the strongest, fastest, and smartest linebacker in my class.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“As long as my team is on one accord I know that we will make a run at state for sure.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Our toughest team on our schedule will be Pearl Cohn.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“We are new to 4a so I wouldn't really know what players we would have to really game plan for.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Austin Peay, UTC, Memphis.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Austin Peay has been the most active in recruiting me.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to WKU, Miami of Ohio, Austin Peay.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have plans to go to TSU and UTC in the summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team growing up was Baylor.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Our high school season went good this year, [we] made it all the way to the second round and only lost 2 games.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Work on getting smarter offensively and defensively.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel pretty good about next season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Harpeth, I heard they are decent.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I really don’t know of anyone that’s just tough for us.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to play football somewhere in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Offers /interest: EIU.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Probably EIU, I got an offer.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve been to UT Martin and WKU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“As of right now, no, but I will be at some camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up has been Alabama.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season went well besides my injury. Team got closer and closer as the season progressed.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plan is to break the single season sack record at my school.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“N/A.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“N/A.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“N/A.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“[Yes].”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“[See below].”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Virginia Tech is recruiting me the hardest; I plan on visiting them again this spring.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve taken visits to Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, App State, Tennessee and others.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Here is my visit schedule as of now below: March 4 App State; March 10 Chattanooga; March 11 Liberty; March 18 Virginia tech; April 1 Vanderbilt; Ole Miss (March or April); Virginia (March or April); Tennessee (March or April).”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team growing up is Arkansas.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The high school season went pretty good, a lot of good things happened for me and my teammates and coaches.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plans are to get faster mostly and beat my PRs.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“My team and my coach will do great this season in my opinion.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“The toughest team in my opinion is going to be Oak Ridge or Science Hill.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest guy I have to face during practice is going to be my best friend Dallas Williamson.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college, the teams I'm looking at are Miami Ohio University and University of Tennessee.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“The colleges that have been recruiting are Miami Ohio and Chattanooga University.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“No school has been recruiting me the hardest yet.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to the University of Tennessee, Miami Ohio University, Middle Tennessee University two times and Eastern Kentucky University.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have no plans for any trips yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up has been the University of Tennessee.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The 2022 high school football season was good, Coach Witten did a great job making decisions and putting us in the best position to win as a team we battled a lot of adversity at the beginning of the season with injuries and taking 3 straight losses we had to learn to come together and prepare for the weeks ahead.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I will be going into baseball in the spring. I have been preparing for the season to start in March but I also have still been working on my craft on the football field with workouts every week and 7v7 practices and games.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel the team we have come up with has high expectations and standards set for us. All the seniors that we have watched and that have set the stage and won state those 2 years have left us a path to full fill and it’s our turn to fulfill it. We have a lot of experience going into this year in most positions after last season and I know Coach Witten will put us in the best situation to win games.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think we will go into every game this year having that mindset of knowing you’re going to be in it for all 4 quarters and that’s what all our coaches try to prepare us for during the season because later games in the season and in the big games in the beginning of the season there is not a lot of room for mistakes to be made and it’s got to be more mental than physical at some aspects.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“There’s a lot of good athletes on every team we play, we know we will get everyone’s best shot and our coaches know that. We know that so we try our best to prepare in the film room during the season so we know our jobs and don’t have to worry about individuals on other teams.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to go to college for baseball or football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Not many colleges have recruited me or really noticed me but I’m more focusing on having a good junior year.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”’

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve made one unofficial visit to a Division 2 school.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not soon but I plan on going to a lot of camps and showcases this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I have always been an LSU fan, my dad ran track and was a SEC champion in the 200m dash so I’ve always liked the Tigers but I also am a Tennessee fan since I’m from here.”

Find out what colleges are recruiting Jeriah Griffin, Omarian Mills, Mason Ball, Keevan Cooper, and Sanders Ellis now!


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Q&A with Elizabethton athlete Jeriah Griffin​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to go to college for baseball or football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Not many colleges have recruited me or really noticed me but I’m more focusing on having a good junior year.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”’

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve made one unofficial visit to a Division 2 school.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not soon but I plan on going to a lot of camps and showcases this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I have always been an LSU fan, my dad ran track and was a SEC champion in the 200m dash so I’ve always liked the Tigers but I also am a Tennessee fan since I’m from here.”


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Q&A with Jefferson County running back Omarian Mills​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college, the teams I'm looking at are Miami Ohio University and University of Tennessee.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“The colleges that have been recruiting are Miami Ohio and Chattanooga University.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“No school has been recruiting me the hardest yet.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to the University of Tennessee, Miami Ohio University, Middle Tennessee University two times and Eastern Kentucky University.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have no plans for any trips yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up has been the University of Tennessee.”


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Q&A with Elizabethton defensive end Mason Ball​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“[Yes].”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“[See below].”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Virginia Tech is recruiting me the hardest; I plan on visiting them again this spring.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve taken visits to Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, App State, Tennessee and others.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Here is my visit schedule as of now below: March 4 App State; March 10 Chattanooga; March 11 Liberty; March 18 Virginia tech; April 1 Vanderbilt; Ole Miss (March or April); Virginia (March or April); Tennessee (March or April).”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team growing up is Arkansas.”


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Q&A with Mt. Pleasant slot receiver Keevan Cooper​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to play football somewhere in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Offers /interest: EIU.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Probably EIU, I got an offer.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve been to UT Martin and WKU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“As of right now, no, but I will be at some camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up has been Alabama.”


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Q&A with Station Camp linebacker Sanders Ellis​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Austin Peay, UTC, Memphis.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Austin Peay has been the most active in recruiting me.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to WKU, Miami of Ohio, Austin Peay.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have plans to go to TSU and UTC in the summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team growing up was Baylor.”


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Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


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Q&A with Elizabethton athlete Jeriah Griffin
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The 2022 high school football season was good, Coach Witten did a great job making decisions and putting us in the best position to win as a team we battled a lot of adversity at the beginning of the season with injuries and taking 3 straight losses we had to learn to come together and prepare for the weeks ahead.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I will be going into baseball in the spring. I have been preparing for the season to start in March but I also have still been working on my craft on the football field with workouts every week and 7v7 practices and games.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel the team we have come up with has high expectations and standards set for us. All the seniors that we have watched and that have set the stage and won state those 2 years have left us a path to full fill and it’s our turn to fulfill it. We have a lot of experience going into this year in most positions after last season and I know Coach Witten will put us in the best situation to win games.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think we will go into every game this year having that mindset of knowing you’re going to be in it for all 4 quarters and that’s what all our coaches try to prepare us for during the season because later games in the season and in the big games in the beginning of the season there is not a lot of room for mistakes to be made and it’s got to be more mental than physical at some aspects.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“There’s a lot of good athletes on every team we play, we know we will get everyone’s best shot and our coaches know that. We know that so we try our best to prepare in the film room during the season so we know our jobs and don’t have to worry about individuals on other teams.”

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Q&A with Jefferson County running back Omarian Mills
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The high school season went pretty good, a lot of good things happened for me and my teammates and coaches.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plans are to get faster mostly and beat my PRs.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“My team and my coach will do great this season in my opinion.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“The toughest team in my opinion is going to be Oak Ridge or Science Hill.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest guy I have to face during practice is going to be my best friend Dallas Williamson.”

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Q&A with Elizabethton defensive end Mason Ball
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season went well besides my injury. Team got closer and closer as the season progressed.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plan is to break the single season sack record at my school.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“N/A.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“N/A.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“N/A.”

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Q&A with Mt. Pleasant slot receiver Keevan Cooper
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Our high school season went good this year, [we] made it all the way to the second round and only lost 2 games.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Work on getting smarter offensively and defensively.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel pretty good about next season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Harpeth, I heard they are decent.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I really don’t know of anyone that’s just tough for us.”

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Q&A with Station Camp linebacker Sanders Ellis
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall the season went average last year. We went 6-4 and nothing special came out of it.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“To be the strongest, fastest, and smartest linebacker in my class.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“As long as my team is on one accord I know that we will make a run at state for sure.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Our toughest team on our schedule will be Pearl Cohn.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“We are new to 4a so I wouldn't really know what players we would have to really game plan for.”

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How did the high school football season go overall?
“It went well, [we] went 12-1 but we didn’t finish (state championship should have been ours).”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan to keep working to build myself into the best version of me.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Great, we compete as this is all we got, we really do have a brotherhood.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Nashville Christian.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“[I don’t] get into the individuals, it’s a team we play.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Football definitely.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Carson Newman, Oberlin, and a couple other d3.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Oberlin has talked to me the most so far.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to Oberlin, EKU, Manchester, Sewanee, Arkansas Monticello, and a few more also.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, March 6 I will go to U Wash and I plan on more this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Definitely Ball State.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“I feel like this season went very well, we really proved everyone wrong and everyone doubted us.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plan now that the season is over is to get in the weight room and work on something to get fast on the field.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like our team will be good next year, I feel like we still have to have the mindset that we are still looked down upon and still put the work in.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel the toughest team we will play would be CPA. They have some good players on their team, it should be a hard-fought game.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest player we play against I feel would be Cade Law, he is a good LB [and] plays with speed and knows how to fit holes well.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would love to play sports in college. The sport I want to play is football, I’ve been wanting to play football since I started playing, I just had a connection with it.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I don’t have any offers yet but I will say I talked to a few [schools] like Austin Peay, Maryland, MTSU, and Arkansas State.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“That is probably Austin Peay, they show much love.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I made it to one junior day at Austin Peay.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have plans to go to some more junior days this spring for sure.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up was definitely LSU.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“It was going great at the start. We were 4-1 after knocking off Riverdale and then going into Nolensville for week 6. Then the first play of the game I broke my fibula and was out for the season. We finished the season 4-6.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I have been working harder than ever going into my senior season. My ankle is slowly recovering and I’ve been gaining a lot of weight and muscle. I was 168 pounds when I broke my ankle. I am now 185 pounds and looking to get up to around 195 before the season starts. I plan on playing basketball next year but right now I’m specifically working on football.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we will shock a lot of people. We are only losing a few guys on offense and we have a lot of young talent on our roster. This is the hardest I’ve seen the team work in the off-season. We will have a special year.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“We have a tough schedule next year. Oakland and Riverdale are always great but this year we play Pope John Paul and Tullahoma. Great competition all year.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“A few guys from Oakland are amazing athletes. Tamari Hill, Corey Smith, Stephen Ellison. Riverdale’s Jaylen Thompson and Braden Graham. Looking forward to playing against all these guys.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“My dream has always been to play football in college. I want to play at the Division 1 level and I will show people why I deserve that this season.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Eastern Kentucky, Mercer, Yale, Wesleyan, UWash.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Eastern Kentucky.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have visited Eastern Kentucky a few times and I love it there. I’ve visited Mercer as well. Been to many other colleges for camps though.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not as of now but I do plan to attend many college camps this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I’ve always been a Tennessee fan but recently I’ve been a huge fan of Coastal Carolina and now Colorado with Deion Sanders coming in.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“My high school football season didn’t go how I wanted it to go from a win and loss standpoint, but based on numbers it went great.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“So right now I work out every morning with the football team and every day after I run track.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel our team will be exceptionally better, we have a lot of returning starters and I feel like the chemistry will be there within the team, I am going to try to be more of a leader this year to where our team will be more disciplined.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Lipscomb Academy, as they are ranked highest in the nation out of any teams in Tennessee and they [have] athletes everywhere on the field.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“George Maclntyre from BA, he is their QB and has been getting offers from everywhere recently, seems to be a great player.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do, I’d love to play football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Right now I have MTSU, EKU, Memphis, and ECU that have offered me and I have Wake Forest looking at me. A lot of schools have told me that I need to have a great senior year and they will be watching me.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Definitely Wake Forest, I’ve been talking to them a lot and I am going up for a visit soon.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I have, I have been to ECU, and I have been on game-day visits to Marshall, MTSU, Wake Forest, and Memphis.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I am going to UTC and Wake Forest in March.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, Kentucky has always been my favorite.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“This season was disappointing as I feel like we had a lot of potential and just didn’t mesh or have any chemistry.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’ve been in the gym every day, we have 7:30 workouts before school and for our first block and I do individual training sessions for speed and linebacker work.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I am really excited for this season, we are a very senior-heavy team this year and with the new staff we have I think we really have a chance to do something special.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Definitely Lipscomb Academy will be the toughest, they are a nationally ranked team every year and constantly bring in 4 and 5 stars so they are really tough.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The best player we will face off against this year I would say is Carson Gentle from McCallie who is committed to Tennessee. He is a very talented player.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I hope to play football in college and I’m just waiting for someone to give me a chance.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Currently I’m talking to Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, and UNC Charlotte.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I would say Austin Peay had recruited me the hardest and I would love to play there if given the opportunity.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have visited Austin Peay, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and UNC Charlotte.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan on going to UTC and getting back down to Austin Peay.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up in Knoxville I’ve always been a Vol fan.”

Find out what colleges are recruiting Bryson Gardner, Braylon Harmon, Brennan Mayhew, Bobby Council, and Calvin Hughes-Crim now!


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Q&A with Knoxville Catholic inside linebacker Bryson Gardner​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I hope to play football in college and I’m just waiting for someone to give me a chance.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Currently I’m talking to Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, and UNC Charlotte.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I would say Austin Peay had recruited me the hardest and I would love to play there if given the opportunity.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have visited Austin Peay, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and UNC Charlotte.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan on going to UTC and getting back down to Austin Peay.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up in Knoxville I’ve always been a Vol fan.”


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Q&A with Knoxville Catholic wide receiver Braylon Harmon​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do, I’d love to play football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Right now I have MTSU, EKU, Memphis, and ECU that have offered me and I have Wake Forest looking at me. A lot of schools have told me that I need to have a great senior year and they will be watching me.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Definitely Wake Forest, I’ve been talking to them a lot and I am going up for a visit soon.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I have, I have been to ECU, and I have been on game-day visits to Marshall, MTSU, Wake Forest, and Memphis.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I am going to UTC and Wake Forest in March.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, Kentucky has always been my favorite.”


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Q&A with Rockvale quarterback Brennan Mayhew​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“My dream has always been to play football in college. I want to play at the Division 1 level and I will show people why I deserve that this season.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Eastern Kentucky, Mercer, Yale, Wesleyan, UWash.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Eastern Kentucky.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have visited Eastern Kentucky a few times and I love it there. I’ve visited Mercer as well. Been to many other colleges for camps though.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not as of now but I do plan to attend many college camps this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I’ve always been a Tennessee fan but recently I’ve been a huge fan of Coastal Carolina and now Colorado with Deion Sanders coming in.”


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Q&A with Franklin Road Academy running back Bobby Council​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would love to play sports in college. The sport I want to play is football, I’ve been wanting to play football since I started playing, I just had a connection with it.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I don’t have any offers yet but I will say I talked to a few [schools] like Austin Peay, Maryland, MTSU, and Arkansas State.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“That is probably Austin Peay, they show much love.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I made it to one junior day at Austin Peay.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have plans to go to some more junior days this spring for sure.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up was definitely LSU.”


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Q&A with Fayetteville linebacker Calvin Hughes-Crim​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Football definitely.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Carson Newman, Oberlin, and a couple other d3.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Oberlin has talked to me the most so far.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes I've been to Oberlin, EKU, Manchester, Sewanee, Arkansas Monticello, and a few more also.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, March 6 I will go to U Wash and I plan on more this summer.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Definitely Ball State.”


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