Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2024 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Jared Curtis of
Nashville Christian (Nashville) is the 2024 MaxPreps Tennessee High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior quarterback led the Eagles to a 12-1 record and Division II-A state championship, the school's first in nine years.
For the season, Curtis passed for 2,830 yards and 40
touchdowns while completing 70.2 percent of his attempts. He threw just three interceptions and was also dynamic on the ground with 637 yards
and 18 scores.
Regarded as the top junior quarterback in the country, Jared Curtis accounted for 3,467 yards and 58 touchdowns this season. (Photo: Scott Hughes)
Curtis led Nashville Christian to its first 12-win campaign since 2015 when the Eagles went 14-1 and their last state title.
In a 49-21 win over Columbia Academy (Columbia) in the title game, Curtis completed 8 of 16 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 60 yards and four scores. He accounted for 243 yards and seven touchdowns in a 62-34 win over Jackson Christian (Jackson) in the semifinals.
Curtis is a three-year starter for Nashville Christian and enters his senior season with 7,665 yards passing and 92 touchdowns. He's added 1,663 yards on the ground and 38 more scores.
According to
247Sports, Curtis is the No. 1 quarterback in the Class of 2026 and No. 4 player overall. He has landed nearly 40 FBS offers headlined by Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Tennessee Players of the Year
2020 — Dallan Hayden, RB, Christian Brothers (Memphis)
2021 — Walter Nolen, DL, Powell
2022 — Junior Sherrill, WR, Lipscomb Academy (Nashville)
2023 — Amari Jefferson, WR, Baylor (Chattanooga)
