Preseason Tennessee All-State high school football team

By Zack Poff Aug 18, 2020, 11:45am

Jake Briningstool, Ty Simpson, Dietrick Pennington headline list of selections.

Jalen Ramsey, Tee Higgins, Jalen Hurd, JaCoby Stevens, Trey Smith, and Cade Mays are some notable players to come from The Volunteer State. The players on our preseason Tennessee All-State high school football team are poised for big years this season and could one day join the list of those greats.

Tennessee is one of six states kicking off this week, joining Utah which got under way Aug. 13.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL KICKOFFS: Updates from all 50 states

Pearl-Cohn (Nashville) leads the way with four selections while Alcoa, Brentwood Academy (Brentwood), Elizabethton, Knoxville Central (Knoxville) and Ravenwood (Brentwood) all had three.



Baylor (Chattanooga), Bradley Central (Cleveland), Cane Ridge (Nashville), Ensworth (Nashville), McCallie (Chattanooga) and McMinn County (Athens) all had two selections.
Bryson Rollings, Elizabethon
Bryson Rollings, Elizabethon
File photo by Todd Brase
First Team Offense

QB — Bryson Rollins, Elizabethton | 6-1 | 190 | Jr.
Accounted for more than 3,000 yards of total offense and 46 touchdowns for the defending Division I-AAAA state champs.

QB — Ty Simpson, Westview (Martin) | 6-2 | 185 | Jr.
The top-rated player in Tennessee from the Class of 2022 checks in as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the country.

RB — Elijah Howard, Baylor (Chattanooga) | 5-11 | 185 | Sr.
The 2021 Tennessee commit rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

RB — Jordan James, Oakland (Murfreesboro) | 5-10 | 180 | Jr.
Checks in as the second-rated player in the state from the Class of 2022 and rushed for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games as a sophomore at Brentwood Academy (Brentwood).

WR — Quenton Barnes, Cane Ridge (Nashville) | 6-2 | 175 | Sr.
The top-rated wide receiver in Tennessee on 247Sports composite rankings from the Class of 2021.

WR — Tray Curry, Bradley Central (Cleveland) | 6-4 | 210 | Sr.
Racked up over 1,200 all-purpose yards in 2019 and committed to Virginia Tech in July.

TE — Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood (Brentwood) | 6-5 | 215 | Sr.
The future Clemson Tiger is the top-rated tight end and No. 1 player in the state.

The top-rated offensive lineman in Tennessee recently committed to Clemson.

OL — Eli Sutton, Brentwood Academy (Brentwood) | 6-7 | 285 | Sr.
Great in both pass and run blocking and checks in as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the state.

OL — Bryce Goodner, McMinn County (Athens) | 6-3 | 300 | Sr.
The 2021 Virginia Tech commit paved the way for one of the best rushing attacks last year.

OL — Tristan Petit, Springfield | 6-3 | 310 | Sr.
Selected to the 4A all-state first team in 2019.

OL — Austin Gentle, McCallie (Chattanooga, Tenn.) | 6-3.5 | 295 | Sr.
The 2021 Harvard commit played a huge role for the defending Division II-AAA champs last season.



AP — Kody Jones, Germantown | 6-0 | 180 | Jr.
Big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball.

Selected to the 5A all-state team after connecting on 9-of-12 field goals as a junior.
Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood
Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood
File photo by Bryan Metz
First Team Defense

The 5-star lineman is the top-rated defensive tackle in the Class of 2022 and recently transferred from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

DL — Javon Nelson, Riverdale (Murfreesboro) | 6-3 | 265 | Sr.
Checks in as the No. 1 defensive end in Tennessee and has landed nearly 20 FBS offers.

DL — Grey Carroll, Alcoa | 6-3 | 250 | Sr.
Selected to the 3A all-state first team after finishing the year with 16 sacks. Helped lead the Tornadoes to their fifth consecutive state championship.

DL — Cameron Ware, Sheffield (Memphis) | 6-0 | 265 | Sr.
Racked up 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a junior.

LB — Junior Colson, Ravenwood (Brentwood) | 6-2 | 230 | Sr.
The 2021 Michigan commit is the second-rated player from Tennessee and No. 8 outside linebacker in the nation.

LB — Kalib Fortner, Knoxville Central (Knoxville) | 6-1 | 205 | Sr.
Flies around on defense and ended his junior season with 119 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.



LB — Keaten Wade, Summit (Spring Hill) | 6-4 | 210 | Jr.
The top-rated defensive player in the state from the Class of 2022 racked up 103 tackle, 22.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Also rushed for over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns.

DB — Andre Turrentine, Ensworth (Nashville) | 6-0 | 175 | Sr.
The 2021 Ohio State commit checks in as the No. 4 safety in the country.

DB — Isiah Cox, Alcoa | 6-2 | 185 | Sr.
Played a huge role in the secondary for the five-time defending 3A state champs last season.

DB — Kyndrich Breedlove, Pearl-Cohn (Nashville) | 5-10.5 | 170 | Sr.
Makes a huge impact on both sides of the ball and committed to Mississippi in May.

DB — Jaidin Horton, Knoxville Central (Knoxville) | 6-2 | 170 | Sr.
Selected to the 5A all-state first team after finishing 2019 with six interceptions.

The recent Notre Dame commit ended his junior season with 78 tackles and had over 1,000 yards receiving to go with nine touchdowns.

P — Kade Hensley, Science Hill (Johnson City) | 5-10 | 180 | Sr.
The 6A all-state first team selection at punter is also one of the best kickers in the country.

Second Team Offense

QB — Neyland Jean, Baylor (Chattanooga) | 6-2 | 205 | Sr.
Had a strong junior season and expect the 3-star quarterback to be one of the best in Tennessee this fall.



QB — Martino Owens, Pearl-Cohn (Nashville) | 6-2 | 185 | Sr.
Threw for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Division I-AAA runner-up.

The son of former Tennessee Volunteer quarterback Tee Martin has already hit double-digit offers and is also a standout baseball player.

RB — Jalen Hunt, McMinn County (Athens) | 5-10 | 180 | Sr.
Rushed for over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

RB — BJ Harris, McCallie (Chattanooga) | 5-10 | 195 | Sr.
The 2021 Missouri commit accounted for over 1,400 total yards and 25 touchdowns for the defending Division II-AAA state champs.

Rushed for 1,000-plus yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019 and the Wisconsin commit has not lost a fumble in over two years.

WR Adonai Mitchell, Cane Ridge (Nashville) | 6-3 | 190 | Sr.
The 2021 Georgia commit joins his teammate Barnes as wide receivers selected on the preseason all-state team.

WR Parker Hughes, Elizabethton | 6-2 | 180 | Sr.
Was Rollins' favorite target last season hauling in 56 receptions for 1,000-plus yards and 19 touchdowns.

WR Taylor Groves, East Robertson (Cross Plains) | 6-2 | 175 | Jr.
One of the top playmakers in the Class of 2022 has already landed double-digit offers including LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

TE Hudson Wolfe, Hardin County (Savannah) | 6-6 | 240 | Sr.
The 2021 Tennessee commit checks in as a Top 10 tight end in the nation and No. 5 prospect in the state.



OL William Griffin-Parker, Pearl-Cohn (Nashville) | 6-5 | 325 | Sr.
Makes an impact on both sides of the ball and will be making his college announcement Sept. 4.

OL Noah Josey, Brentwood Academy (Brentwood) | 6-5 | 280 | Sr.
The 4-star lineman is the No. 2 offensive guard in Tennessee for the Class of 2021.

OL Cole Morganstern, Elizabethton | 6-3 | 285 | Sr.
Will be the leader for one of the best offensive lines in the state.

OL Fisher Anderson, Franklin | 6-6 | 260 | Jr.
Checks in as the top-rated offensive lineman in the state for the Class of 2022.

OL J'Marion Gooch, King's Academy (Seymour) | 6-7.5 | 360 | Sr.
The 2021 Auburn commit dominates on both sides of the ball.

AP KeSean Eubanks, Soddy Daisy | 5-10 | 170 | Sr.
Selected to the 5A all-state team after accounting for nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. Also had 34 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass break-ups in 2019.

AP Javin Burke, Bradley Central (Cleveland) | 6-0 | 200 | Sr.
The recent Virginia commit is one of the best defensive backs in the state and also a big-time playmaker at quarterback.



Second Team Defense

DL Cameron Bell, Red Bank (Chattanooga) | 6-4 | 230 | Sr.
Selected to the 3A all-state first team after a strong junior season.

DL Alex Okelo, Pearl-Cohn (Nashville) | 6-5 | 215 | Sr.
The 3-star defensive end committed to Michigan State on Aug. 16.

DL James Stewart, Brentwood Academy (Brentwood) | 6-2 | 260 | Sr.
The third and final Eagle to be selected joins his teammates Sutton and Josey.

DL De'Von Holmes, Southwind (Memphis) | 6-3 | 260 | Sr.
Has already landed a handful of FBS offers led by Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri.

LB Lareko Burton, Covington | 6-0 | 215 | Sr.
Had a big junior campaign and was selected to the 3A all-state first team.

LB Damon Owens, Ravenwood (Brentwood) | 6-1 | 205 | Sr.
The talented linebacker dropped his Top 6 back in April and features Kentucky, Louisville, Penn State, South Carolina, Wake Forest and Tennessee.

LB Bryce Edmondson, Ensworth (Nashville) | 6-2 | 220 | Sr.
The recent Memphis commit helped the Tigers to the Division II-AAA semifinals last season and shouldll have them in contention again in 2020.

DB Jaden Keller, Tennessee (Bristol) | 6-5 | 215 | Sr.
Can line up anywhere on the field and makes a big-time impact on both sides of the ball.

DB - John Howse IV, Brentwood | 6-2 | 185 | Sr.
Checks in as the top-rated cornerback in Tennessee from the Class of 2021 and is one of the most well-rounded defensive backs in the state.



DB - Adrian Huey, Hillsboro (Nashville) | 5-10 | 160 | Sr.
The 2021 Kentucky commit did not allow a touchdown reception as a junior.

DB Dallan Hayden, Christian Brothers (Memphis) | 5-11 | 190 | Jr.
The 3-star athlete is one of the top playmakers on both sides of the ball and is the No. 8 rated player overall in Tennessee from the Class of 2022.

AP Cam Burden, Alcoa | 6-2 | 205 | Sr.
One of the best all-around players in the state finished his junior season with 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Named to the 6A all-state first team as a defensive back and also had nearly 1,000 yards receiving in 2019.