Stevens picks up 5-star status from 247Sports

MURFREESBORO — Oakland High junior JaCoby Stevens received a 5-star rating recently by 247Sports and is listed as the recruiting service's No. 15 overall college football prospect for the Class of 2017.

Stevens, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver and safety, was a TSSAA Class 6A Mr. Football finalist in 2015. He was a Region 2-6A Co-MVP and The Daily News Journal's Defensive Player of the Year.

"It's good to get that kind of attention," Oakland coach Kevin Creasy said. "Luckily, he is well-grounded. His parents and coaches have done a good job of showing how to handle success.

"I see this as being a good lesson for him. Stars, you know, sometimes equate to success. But it's his work ethic and how he is raised that will make him successful."

Steven caught 32 passes for 806 yards in 2015 with 11 touchdowns. He recorded 84 tackles with 8.5 for loss. He had six interceptions, recovered two fumbles and had two defensive scores.

Stevens is one of five Tennessee athletes listed in 247Sports' top 100 for the Class of 2017.

La Vergne linebacker/wide receiver Maleik Gray (6-2, 195) is listed as the No. 32 overall prospect.

Gray had 57 tackles, including 10 for loss, with two sacks and two fumble recoveries. He had 22 catches for 485 yards and 10 total touchdowns.

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Tee Higgins (6-5, 190) is listed at No. 39. University School of Jackson offensive lineman Trey Smith (6-5, 290) is listed at No. 62. MBA junior running back Ty Chandler (5-11, 190) is at No. 87.

Sectional champs: Blackman Middle's boys defeated Mt. Juliet 35-22 on Saturday to win their sectional championship on Saturday, a week after winning the Rutherford County boys championship. Ray Tyler led the Flames with 17 points. Zoryn Harrington and Jabari Mastin each had six for the Flames.

Offered: Oakland safety Kaleb Oliver and Riverdale safety Gentry Bonds each received offers from Louisville in recent days.

Oliver had 99 tackles, five interceptions and three sacks last season. Bonds had 59 tackles and four interceptions for the Warriors.

Signed: Riverdale offensive lineman Jonathan Conyers signed with Carson-Newman on Friday.

Walking on: Riverdale quarterback Brandon Bea will walk on at Montana. Bea completed 146-of-232 passes for 1,783 yards in 2015. He had 17 touchdown passes with seven interceptions. He also ran for five scores.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.