Who are Rutherford County’s top 50 football players?
MURFREESBORO – Who is the best high school football player in Rutherford County?
The question is open for debate.
But who are the top 50 high school football players in Rutherford County?
Let the debate begin.
The Daily News Journal tackled that task this week, compiling what it believes are the best high school players in a county that has been recognized nationally as having some of the best football in the country.
The criteria for selections was multi-tiered. It included past season achievements, observations this fall and potential for the upcoming season. College offers also played a small role. But make no mistake, this isn't a recruiting list. There are other media that can compile those lists. This is simply a list of the top high school players in the county.
1. Jack Jones, Oakland
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive lineman and Tennessee commitment is a force for Oakland and has superb footwork. He had 60 pancake blocks a year ago and was the District 7-AAA Lineman MVP. He also became Oakland’s first Mr. Football in school history.
2013 ranking: Nine.
2. Jauan Jennings, Blackman
The Tennessee commitment is a dual-threat quarterback and a two-way player. He was the District 7-AAA Offensive MVP and had more than 2,200 total yards. Jennings will also play in the Blaze secondary.
2013 ranking: Three.
3. Kevin Prather, Oakland
The biggest jump on the list. He was an obvious miss in the 2013 poll. The District 7-AAA Defensive MVP had 125 tackles, caused six fumbles and recovered three. His college offers include MTSU and Western Kentucky.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
4. Josh Smith, Oakland
The Vanderbilt commitment had 81 tackles a year ago a year after missing his sophomore season due to injury. He also caused two fumbles.
2013 ranking: 10.
5. Charlie Davidson, Blackman
Davidson rushed for 996 yards a year ago as the Blaze’s No. 2 rusher. He is not only the team’s No. 1 back this year, but is the returning leading rusher in District 7-AAA.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
6. Quin Jernighan, La Vergne
The 6-foot-5 receiver had 800 yards receiving a year ago in a breakout campaign. He is the leading returning receiver in Rutherford County. His offers include MTSU and Western Kentucky.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
7. Ronnie Killings, Blackman
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound athlete had a breakout season as a junior when he caught 20 balls for 328 yards with four TDs. He also returned four punts for touchdowns.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
8. Tyler Black, Oakland
Black has been a dynamic athlete since his sophomore season and his junior year was cut short because of a broken leg. He had an interception and a forced fumble before the injury. He’ll be used on offense at receiver, quarterback and play in the secondary this year.
2013 ranking: 15.
9. Andrew Knox, Siegel
Knox rushed for 478 yards with four touchdowns a year ago. He’ll also anchor the Stars’ linebacking corps this season.
2013 ranking: 22.
10. JaCoby Stevens, Oakland
Stevens started at Ensworth a year ago as a freshman at linebacker. He’ll be a safety in former Oakland standout Emmanuel Smith’s spot and has also shown the ability to make big plays at receiver.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
11. Kyle Oliver, Oakland
The Tennessee commitment caught 31 passes for 505 yards as a junior. However, the former receiver has been moved to tight end this season. He may also see some time at defensive end.
2013 ranking: 40.
12. D.J. Williams, Smyrna
Williams may be the best cornerback in District 7-AAA. He picked off six passes a year ago. He’ll also play at receiver and possibly some at quarterback this season.
2013 ranking: 23.
13. Quen Hardy, Blackman
The 6-foot-5 receiver caught 25 balls for 528 yards with three touchdowns. He has displayed sure hands throughout the preseason. He has a college offer from Navy.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
14. Maleik Gray, La Vergne
Gray rushed for 393 yards and caught 22 passes for 303 yards. Gray already has offers from Florida State and Alabama among others. However, he must be given holes to run through to show off his talent.
2013 ranking: 25.
15. Andre Knox, Siegel
Andre Knox is the Stars’ returning rusher at 685 yards with 12 touchdowns. He’ll also play in the secondary this season.
2013 ranking: 46.
16. George Gbesee, Oakland
Two-way player has expanded role on offense this season for the Patriots. He’ll be at receiver and play some in the backfield. He is also the Patriots’ top corner.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
17. Ben Wells, Riverdale
Wells finished with 92 tackles a year ago and is a three-year starter at linebacker for the Warriors.
2013 ranking: 29.
18. Justin Winn, MTCS
Winn is a two-year starter and threw for 1,854 yards — tops among returning quarterbacks in the area.
2013 ranking: 50.
19. Mason Hall, Stewarts Creek
Hall threw for 1,509 yards a year ago and is the leading passer returning in District 7-AAA.
2013 ranking: 35.
20. Anthony Akers, Oakland
Akers had 30 tackles and caused two fumbles from the defensive end spot a year ago. He’s now a defensive tackle.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
21. Micah Cale, Blackman
The offensive lineman was dominant for the Blaze a year ago and is a two-year starter at center. He has an offer from Davidson.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
22. Josh Cunningham, Oakland
Cunningham rushed for 305 yards as a backup a year ago. However, he’s the starter this year. He also had 56 tackles and four interceptions.
2013 ranking: 33.
23. Artavious Collier, Riverdale
Collier ran for 428 yards with a team-high seven touchdowns in 2013. He became the Warriors’ featured back this preseason.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
24. Jasper Snowden, Stewarts Creek
Snowden, a two-way player, was Creek’s leading rusher a year ago. He’ll also be a key defensive player for the Red Hawks.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
25. Luke Hillis, Siegel
Senior defensive end is Stars’ top defensive lineman. He has an offer from Austin Peay.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
26. Kyle Smith, Smyrna
Transfer from Mt. Juliet is the Bulldogs’ starter at running back. He gives Smyrna power and speed in the backfield.
2013 ranking: Not ranked
27. Hudson Smith, Oakland
Smith moved from tight end to left tackle in the offseason. He’s a dominant force up front.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
28. Ethan Aurand, Riverdale
Aurand recorded 60 tackles and had 16 hurries a year ago from the defensive line. He also had two sacks.
2013 ranking: 31.
29. Ty Nix, Oakland
The two-year starter at defensive tackle had 35 tackles, a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown in 2013. He also has an offer from MTSU.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
30. Caleb LaFleur, Blackman
Joins Cale as a dominant force on the Blaze offensive line that helped rack up 3,584 yards in 2013.
2013 ranking: 16.
31. Colton Gipson, Siegel
Gipson battled concussions a year ago, catching eight passes for 78 yards. If he stays healthy, he’ll be the Stars’ top receiver.
2013 ranking: 45.
32. Cynterius Lyons, Stewarts Creek
Two-way starter for the Red Hawks, Lyons is Creek’s top corner as well as top receiver coming back from a year ago.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
33. Roshea Grays, La Vergne
Grays returned to La Vergne from Indiana late last season. He’s a physical runner that is a good running mate with Gray.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
34. Lorel Morton, Blackman
Morton had four catches for 84 yards before mononucleosis ended his 2013 season. Three of his four grabs were for touchdowns.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
35. Jerry Carnell, Stewarts Creek
Two-year starter for the Red Hawks will be a key player to watch at wing back.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
36. Greedy Howse, Siegel
Howse is finally healthy this season after sustaining a knee injury a year ago. He’ll play safety and be part of a talented group of running backs.
2013 ranking: 43.
37. Cortland Owens, Riverdale
Owens will be the Warriors’ starting quarterback after transferring from Cane Ridge. He led the Ravens to a 6-1 record and a playoff berth last season.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
38. Jaylen Miller, Blackman
Miller is a second-year starter at corner back, who had two interceptions a year ago. He will also play some at receiver.
2013 ranking: 48.
39. Baker Schott, Riverdale
The Warriors’ linebacker had 46 tackles and five hurries a year ago.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
40. Austin Brown, Smyrna
Brown missed a portion of last season with injuries. Now healthy, he is a key piece to the Bulldogs’ defense at linebacker.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
41. James Merritt, Eagleville, Sr.
Merritt anchors a veteran Eagleville offensive line. He was the District 9-A Lineman MVP a year ago.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
42. Brandon Sommerville, Blackman
Fans may wonder who he is this year. He’s emerged this offseason on defense and at receiver and should give depth to Blackman’s talented receivers.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
43. Trey Hickey, MTCS
Hickey led Rutherford County defenders with eight interceptions a year ago. He’ll also be a receiver for Winn.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
44. Marqwell Odom, Riverdale
Odom will have several roles in 2014. He’ll play some at receiver, some at quarterback and will be a starter at corner on defense.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
45. Austin McGrone, Riverdale
McGrone is coming off a knee injury sustained during the basketball season. He gives the Warriors’ a big target at receiver, and will play some at linebacker.
2013 ranking: 44.
46. Ikena Okeke, Smyrna
Okeke will be a two-way starter this season as a receiver and defensive back for the Bulldogs.
2013 ranking: Not ranked
47. Fred Furlow, La Vergne
Furlow, an outside linebacker, was the Wolverines’ top defensive player a year ago. He can make plays off the edge.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
48. Wes Vallance, Eagleville
Vallance had six interceptions a year ago in the secondary. He has a new role on offense at running back.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
49. Ethan Picklesimer, Siegel
Picklesimer is a three-year starter on the offensive line. He is the Stars’ top lineman.
2013 ranking: Not ranked.
50. Jimmy Schwager, Blackman
Schwager is a two-way starter on the offensive line, giving the Blaze a solid interior front line.
2013: Not ranked.