Tennessee high school football preseason all-state team for 2018
Tom Kreager
The 2018 high school football season kicks off this week in Tennessee.
Here is the USA Today Network - Tennessee's preseason all-state team as compiled by high school sports editor Tom Kreager.
OFFENSE
Cade Ballard
Greeneville, Sr.
Quarterback
Why chosen: The Army commitment and Class 4A Mr. Football had 3,794 total yards, including 3,128 passing yards, with 38 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also ran for 21 TDs.
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Eric Gray
Lausanne, Sr.
Running back
Why chosen: The Michigan commitment won his second straight Mr. Football award and ran for 3,151 yards with 49 touchdowns. He was the Tennessee Gatorade player of the year.
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Da’Joun Hewitt
Davidson Academy, Sr.
Running back
Why chosen: The Purdue commitment and Division II-A Mr. Football finalist rushed for 2,352 yards with 41 touchdowns in 2017.
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Trey Knox
Blackman, Sr.
Wide receiver
Why chosen: The four-star prospect had 52 catches for 667 yards a year ago and has 1,377 receiving yards for his career.
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Keveon Mullins
Whitehaven, Sr.
Wide receiver
Why chosen: The South Carolina commitment had 52 catches for 1,011 yards with eight touchdowns a year ago at Memphis East before transferring to Whitehaven.
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Lance Wilhoite
Franklin Road Academy, Sr.
Wide receiver
Why chosen: The Oregon commitment had 69 catches for 1,089 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2017.
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Marcus Henderson
Memphis University School, Jr.
Offensive line
Why chosen: Henderson is the No. 17 offensive tackle prospect for the Class of 2020. He ranks as the No. 4 overall prospect in Tennessee according to the 247Sports Composite.
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Jackson Lampley
Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.
Offensive line
Why chosen: The Tennessee commitment helped lead a Big Red offense that averaged nearly 300 yards per game en route to last year’s Division II-AAA runner-up finish.
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Melvin McBride
Whitehaven, Sr.
Offensive line
Why chosen: McBride helped anchor a Whitehaven offense that piled up 3,847 yards and reached the Class 6A semifinals.
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Omari Thomas
Briarcrest Christian, Jr.
Offensive Line
Why chosen: Thomas is the No. 20 prospect in the country at offensive tackle for 2020 and the state’s No. 5 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite.
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Bryn Tucker
Knoxville Catholic, Jr.
Offensive line
Why chosen: Tucker was a key blocker for Catholic’s high-powered offense that averaged 43 points a year ago and is the top prospect in Tennessee for 2020.
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Cameron Wynn
Notre Dame, Sr.
Athlete
Why chosen: Wynn had over 2,000 all-purpose yards a year ago as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner. He also is a standout in the defensive backfield.
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Garrett Taylor
Oakland, Sr.
Kicker
Why chosen: Taylor has a big leg and will handle the kicking and punting duties for the Patriots. Forty-seven of his 56 kickoffs were touchbacks in 2017.
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DEFENSE
Christian Cantrell
Oakland, Sr.
Defensive line
Why chosen: Cantrell recorded 101 tackles, including 16.5 for loss, and had seven sacks in 2017.
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Trevis Hopper
Memphis Central, Sr.
Defensive line
Why chosen: The Memphis commitment and 2016 Class 5A Mr. Football recorded 58 tackles, including 18 for loss, in 2017. He also had nine sacks.
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Bill Norton
Christian Brothers, Sr.
Defensive line
Why chosen: The Georgia commitment was the Division II-AAA Mr. Football. He recorded 60 tackles, including 21 for loss, and had 16 sacks with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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Tymon Mitchell
Franklin Road Academy, Sr.
Defensive line
Why chosen: The three-star prospect had 74 tackles, including 11 for loss, and tallied three sacks.
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Bryson Eason
Whitehaven, Jr.
Linebacker
Why chosen: Eason recorded 111 tackles, including 20 for loss, and had five sacks. He also intercepted three passes.
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Drew Francis
Knoxville West, Jr.
Linebacker
Why chosen: Francis had 91 tackles, including 29 for loss, and had 11 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles with two interceptions.
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Kane Patterson
Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.
Linebacker
Why chosen: The Ohio State commitment had 64 tackles with a pair of sacks in 2017.
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Erek Campbell
Lausanne, Sr.
Defensive back
Why chosen: Campbell had 79 tackles with five interceptions and recorded two sacks in 2017.
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Maurice Hampton
Memphis University School, Sr.
Defensive back
Why chosen: The LSU commitment has seven career interceptions along with 96 catches for 1,293 yards.
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Wyatt Lucas
Farragut, Sr.
Defensive back
Why chosen: Lucas forced seven turnovers and picked off six passes. He also had 36 tackles.
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Woodi Washington
Oakland, Sr.
Defensive back
Why chosen: The Oklahoma commitment had 41 tackles and five interceptions a year ago.
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Noah Grant
Briarcrest, Christian, Sr.
Punter
Why chosen: Grant is a five-star punter and No. 24 in the country according to Kohl’s professional camps
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.