Over the years, the Chattanooga area has been home to high school football players who went on to become standouts in college and professional leagues. The likes of Reggie White, John Hannah, Steve Sloan, Jimmy Weathford, Bobby Scott, Toppy Vann and Stacy Searels are among many whose skills and talents developed in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia schools. Below are 19 exceptional athletes to watch from the classes of 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Class of 2015
Nick Tiano, Quarterback
Baylor School; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 230
Offers: Mississippi St., Miami (FL), UTC
Committed: Mississippi St.
Kareem Orr, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
Notre Dame High School; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 191
Tennessee Class 3A All-State 2013
Offers: Appalachian St., Cincinnati, Duke, East Carolina, Furman, Louisville, Memphis, MTSU, Navy, Samford, UTC, Western Kentucky
Committed: Louisville
Harrison Moon, Tight End/Offensive Line
Signal Mountain High School; Signal Mountain, TN
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 230
Tennessee Class 4A All-State 2013
Offers: Georgia Tech, Jacksonville St., Mississippi St., South Florida, UTC, Western Kentucky
Committed: Mississippi St.
Zach Morris, Defensive End
Ringgold High School; Ringgold, GA
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 259
Offers: Duke
Committed: Duke
Nate Mays, Linebacker
Dalton High School; Dalton, GA
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194
Offers: Cincinnati, Georgia St., Kennesaw St., Mercer, Wake Forest
Committed: Wake Forest
Martez Durrah, Defensive Back
East Hamilton High School; Ooltewah, TN
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180
Offers: Middle Tennessee St., Tennessee St.
Committed: Undecided
Ian Hayes, Linebacker
Ridgeland High School; Rossville, GA
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 230
Georgia Class AAAA All-State 2013
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Kaylen Stewart, Athlete
Brainerd High School; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 5-7 | Wt: 160
Offers: Eastern Kentucky, Harvard, Mercer, Yale
Committed: Undecided
Austin Massey, Quarterback
Cleveland High School; Cleveland, TN
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 228
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Blake Zeman, Running Back/Defensive Line
Marion County High School; Jasper, TN
2013 Tennessee Mr. Football Division I Class A Lineman of the Year
Tennessee Class 2A All-State 2013
Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 200
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Class of 2016
Nygel Edmonds, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
McCallie; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185
Offers: California, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami (FL), Mississippi, N. Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Wisconsin
Committed: Undecided
Ryan Parker, Linebacker
Baylor School; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 192
2013 All-Division II-AA East/Middle Region
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
JaVaughn Craig, Quarterback
McCallie; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 180
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Alex Darras, Quarterback
Notre Dame High School; Chattanooga, TN
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Caderius Word, Running Back
Ridgeland High School; Rossville, GA
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Class of 2017
Cole Copeland, Quarterback
Bradley Central High School; Cleveland, TN
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 175
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Chris Henderson, Fullback
Ridgeland High School; Rossville, GA
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 230
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Braxton Stewart, Defensive Line
Ringgold High School; Ringgold, GA
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 227
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided
Nick Woods, Quarterback
East Hamilton; Ooltewah, TN
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185
Offers: N/A
Committed: Undecided