Memphis area high school football offensive players to watch in 2018

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Memphis area high school football offensive players to watch in 2018

 

Chris Van Tuyl, USA Today Network - TennesseePublished 5:00 a.m. CT Aug. 12, 2018

 

The high school football season begins this week in Memphis and Tennessee.

Here is a look at the top returning offensive players in the area.

 

Matthew Bedford, Cordova, Sr. The offensive tackle, an Indiana commitment, will be a key cog in the trenches for the Wolves, who are looking to compete for another Region 7-6A crown.

Devin Boddie Jr., Whitehaven, Sr. The Lausanne transfer and Vanderbilt commitment ran for 741 yards and nine touchdowns, in addition to being a dangerous punt returner. 

Mercedes Byrd, Westwood, Sr. The Longhorns advanced to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs behind the strong arm of this QB (2,060 yards, 23 TDs).

Quincy Casey, Ridgeway, Sr. The quarterback threw for 2,132 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2017 for the Roadrunners.

Ke’Shun Gant, Covington, Sr. The elusiveness of this 5-5, 170-pound tailback was a big reason the Chargers advanced to the Class 3A state championship game a season ago.

Eric Gray, Lausanne, Sr. The final 2017 numbers (3,151 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns) were nothing short of eye-popping for this Michigan commit.

Tyler Grim, Horn Lake, Sr. The speedy tailback (1,689 rushing yards and 20 TDs) helped put the Eagles back in the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs after a lengthy absence.

Cormontae Hamilton, Whitehaven, Sr. Just when you thought the Tigers were maxed out with NCAA Division 1 talent, this 6-3, 230-pound tight end comes along and commits to national power Ohio State.

Maurice Hampton, MUS, Sr. The Owls are annually stout in the passing game, which means this LSU commitment will look to build on his 2017 season (744 receiving yards, nine TDs).

Jaden Johnson, Kirby, Sr. The Louisville commitment was a total-offense machine in 2017, averaging 199.1 yards per game for the Cougars, who just missed qualifying for the Class 5A postseason.

Melvin McBride, Whitehaven, Sr. The 6-4, 315-pound offensive guard was a blocking force for the Tigers, who averaged almost 28 points a contest in 2017.

 

Kirby quarterback Jaden Johnson has committed to LouisvilleBrad Vest/The Commercial Appeal

Tyler Moore, Harding Academy, Sr. The tailback had a definite nose for the end zone, as the Lions saw him rush for 1,786 yards and 19 TDs.

Keveon Mullins, Whitehaven, Sr. The East transfer and South Carolina commitment is a kickoff-return specialist who joins a Tiger squad that finished 2017 with 11 wins and a berth in the Class 6A semifinals.

Ethan Payne, Germantown, Sr. The Tennessee baseball commit cracked the Shelby-Metro Top 10 passing leaderboard, throwing for 2,225 yards and 24 TDs last fall.

Noah Robertson, Munford, Sr. The Cougars were one of Class 5A’s biggest surprises in 2017 and the tailback was a definite reason why, rushing for 1,502 yards and 18 TDs.

Spencer Smith, St. George’s, Sr. Division II-AA had strong QB play in 2017, and the Gryphons’ signal-caller stood out with 2,268 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.

Omari Thomas, Briarcrest. Thomas is the No. 5 college prospect in Tennessee for the Class of 2020 and No. 20 offensive lineman in the country.

Terry Wilkins, Fairley, Jr. In a game dominated by upperclassmen, the Bulldogs got plenty of highlights from this young tailback (1,483 yards and 17 TDs).

Jackson Walker, Briarcrest, Sr. With a pair of Top 25 receiving threats, the Saints QB and Richmond commit piled up the numbers in 2017 (2,526 yards and 29 touchdowns).

Kenneth Walker, Arlington, Sr. The Tigers received plenty of production from this tailback in 2017, to the tune of 1,195 yards and 17 TDs.