Nearly 40 Years

Mr. Football

Nearly 40 Years

Every year since they began in 1984, the Mr. Football Awards have honored Tennessee’s most outstanding players.

Named after the executive director of the TSSAA at the time, the Gill Gideon Mr. Football Awards were originally presented by the American General Life and Accident Insurance Company. Head coaches from every school in the state voted on the top player, and the winners were announced at the Clinic Bowl awards.

Four years later, a separate banquet inspired by the Heisman Trophy ceremony was held at the American General building to celebrate the top three finalists and announce the winners. In 1994, the award was split into two categories, back and lineman, and in 2007, the Kicker of the Year award was added for the best kicker, regardless of classification.

The ceremonies for the players, coaches, and families have evolved a lot over the years. They were originally smaller affairs held in the American General building in Nashville, then as the awards’ notoriety grew, they moved to hotel ballrooms, including the Opryland Hotel. Since the Tennessee Titans Foundation began sponsoring the award in 2007, the ceremony has taken place at Nissan Stadium.

Today, the Mr. Football award goes to one player from each class, plus the kicker award. Finalists are nominated by members of the media and head coaches, and the award winner is selected by a committee of statewide sports writers based on their character, academics, and performance in the regular season.

The Chattanooga area boasts a whopping 45 winners since the award’s inception – check out these fantastic players’ highlights from their award-winning high school careers.

1986 – American General Mr. Football

Class 3A – Andy Kelly, Rhea County

6’4” – 200lbs – Quarterback/Punter

Threw for 1,779 yards and 18 TDs on 114 of 209 passing attempts in senior season.
Threw for 5,150 yards and 45 TDs in high school career.
Punted for more than 43 yards and completed 43 of 49 extra point attempts and seven field goals in high school career.

1990 – American General Mr. Football

Class 2A – Marty Lowe, Red Bank

6’2” – 190lbs – Quarterback

Threw for 4,215 yards and 41 TDs on 246 of 434
passing attempts in high school career.
All-time longest pass play of 86 yards.

Photo Courtesy of Marion County

1994 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 3A – Jason Muir, Marion County

6’3” – 220lbs – Tight End/Linebacker

Had 107 tackles and seven sacks on defense in senior season.
Named to All-State team in senior season and won state title twice.

1995 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 3A – Eric Westmoreland, Marion County

6’ – 233lbs – Running Back/Defensive Back

Rushed for 2,359 yards with 40 TDs and made 95 tackles and five interceptions in senior season.

Rushed almost 6,000 yards and 85 TDs in high school career and won three state titles.

Photo Courtesy of Cleveland

1996 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 4A – Stepfon Woods, Cleveland

5’11” – 210lbs – Running Back

Rushed 2,800 yards for 55 TDs in high school career.
Named Tennessee’s number nine college prospect and the All-State running back twice.

Photo Courtesy of Cleveland

1996 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 4A – Eric Stout, Cleveland

6’5” – 270lbs – Offensive/Defensive Tackle

Had 69 tackles and recovered one fumble.
Graded out at over 90% blocking.
Named to All-State team in senior season.

1997 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Kelvin Hughley, Tyner

6’3” – 245lbs – Fullback/Linebacker

Rushed over 1,100 yards for 13 TDs.
Had 151 tackles and two interceptions.
Named to All-State team twice and was a finalist for Mr. Football in 1996.

Photo Courtesy of Baylor

1997 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AA – Scott Abelson, Baylor

6’ – 210lbs – Linebacker

Averaged 12 tackles per game with 300 career tackles.
Named to All-State team senior season.

Photo Courtesy of Tyner

1999 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 2A – Jermaine Harris, Tyner

6’4” – 210lbs – Quarterback

Threw for 1,200 yards and nine TDs on 58 of 90 passing attempts.
Rushed over 1,200 yards for 21 TDs.
Named to All-State team twice.

Photo Courtesy of Cleveland

1999 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 4A – Demetrius Fields, Cleveland

6’ – 195lbs – Defensive Back/Running Back

Rushed 1,513 yards for 17 TDs and completed 75 tackles.
Named to All-State team twice.

Photo Courtesy of South Pittsburg

1999 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 1A – Aaron Chambers, South Pittsburg

6’4” – 280lbs – Offensive/Defensive Tackle

Had 103 tackles and seven sacks.
Named to All-State team in senior season.

Photo Courtesy of Tyner

1999 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Jeff Ramsey, Tyner

6’3” – 255lbs – Offensive/Defensive Line

Had 105 tackles, five sacks, and three fumble recoveries.
Named to All-State team twice.

2000 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 4A – Daniel Bullocks, Hixson

6’1” – 195lbs – Quarterback/Defensive Back

Rushed over 1,500 yards for 21 TDs and threw over 600 yards for five TDs in senior season.
On defense totaled 60 tackles and four interceptions in senior season.
Rushed over 3,600 yards for 53 TDs and threw 2,500 yards for 10 TDs in high school career.

TWO TIME WINNER!

2000 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 5A – Gerald Riggs Jr., Red Bank

6’1” – 215lbs – Running Back/Linebacker

Rushed 1,812 yards for 26 TDs with 10 receptions for 221 yards and two TDs.
On defense had 22 tackles, 11 sacks, and caused seven and recovered four fumbles.

2001 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 4A – Gerald Riggs JR., Red Bank

6’1” – 215lbs – Tailback/Linebacker

Rushed 1,487 yards for 24 TDs and had 42 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
Rushed over 6,000 yards for 90 TDs in high school career.

Photo Courtesy of McCallie

2001 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AAA – Keppy Baucom, McCallie

6’2” – 205lbs – Defensive End/Inside Linebacker

As a defensive end, had 122 total tackles, including five for loss in senior season.
As inside linebacker, caused three and recovered one fumble in senior season.

Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame

TWO TIME WINNER!

2001 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-A/AA – Adarius Bowman, Notre Dame

6’4” – 205lbs – Free Wide Receiver/Safety

Had 50 catches for 1,222 yards, 587 total return yards, and 19 TDs.
Broke the Chattanooga record for single season receiving with 1,127 yards.

2002 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-A/AA – Adarius Bowman, Notre Dame

6’4” – 210lbs – Wide Receiver/Quarterback/Running Back/
Defensive Back

Had 42 receptions for 880 yards and 11 TDs as wide receiver.
Returned 11 kickoffs for 387 yards and six punts for 198 yards.
Broke the Chattanooga record with 2,832 career receiving yards.

Photo Courtesy of McCallie

2002 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-AAA – Ryan Moore, McCallie

6’2” – 220lbs – Quarterback/Linebacker

Threw for 1,407 yards and 13 TDs on 68 of 151 passing attempts.
Had 91 carries for 420 yards and four TDs, made seven of 12 field goals.
On defense had 75 tackles and four interceptions.

Photo Courtesy of TSSAA

2002 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Demonte Bolden, Tyner

6’5” – 285lbs – Defensive End/Offensive Guard

Had 120 total tackles, 66 solos, and 54 assists. Also deflected 13 passes and blocked two punts, and forced seven and recovered eight fumbles in senior season.
Had 353 total tackles, blocked seven punts, deflected 27 passes, and forced 19 and recovered 16 fumbles in high school career.

Photo Courtesy of TSSAA

2003 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Greg Smith, Tyner

6’3” – 295lbs – Offensive/Defensive Tackle

Had 164 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, and 51 assists.
Forced 11 and recovered two fumbles, and had 11 sacks and two interceptions.

Photo Courtesy of Boyd Buchanan

2004 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 1A – Matt Peardon, Boyd Buchanan

6’ – 195lbs – Tailback

Had 208 carries for 1,856 yards and eight receptions for 107 yards in senior season.
Set the Chattanooga scoring record with 31 TDs.
Rushed over 5,200 yards for 83 TDs in high school career.

Photo Courtesy of McCallie

2004 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-AAA – Lee Hilt, McCallie

6’2” – 175lbs – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

Had 42 receptions for 896 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per catch.
Had six receiving TDs.
Named to All-State team in senior season.

Photo Courtesy of Desmond Hendricks

2004 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Desmond Hendricks, Tyner

6’1” – 210lbs – Linebacker/Quarterback

Had 104 solo tackles, 76 assists, 19 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks.
Forced six and recovered four fumbles and had one interception.

Photo Courtesy of McCallie

2004 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AAA – Ayanga Okpokowuruk, McCallie

6’4” – 245lbs – Defensive End/Tight End

Had 72 tackles, five sacks, 27 tackles for loss and one safety in senior season.
Had 115 total tackles, one forced fumble, and two safeties in high school career.

Photo Courtesy of TSSAA

2005 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 3A – Darius McDonald, Howard

6’1” – 299lbs – Offensive Tackle/Nose Guard

Had 151 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks in senior season.
Had 300 total tackles and 41 sacks in high school career.

2005 – American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AAA – Jacques McClendon, Baylor

6’3” – 320lbs – Defensive/Offensive Tackle/Fullback

Had 51 tackles, six for losses, and caused two fumbles in senior season.
Was Tennessee’s number two college prospect and was named to All-State team twice.

Photo Courtesy of McCallie

TWO TIME WINNER!

2005 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-AAA – BJ Coleman, McCallie

6’4” – 190lbs – Quarterback

Threw for 2,203 yards and 19 TDs on 134 of 232 passing attempts.
Carried for almost 300 yards in junior season.

2006 – American General Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-AAA – BJ Coleman, McCallie

6’4” – 205lbs – Quarterback

Threw for 2,447 yards and 17 TDs on 145 of 222 passing attempts.
Had 51 carries for 241 yards and seven TDs.

Photo Courtesy of South Pittsburg

2008 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 1A – David Jones, South Pittsburg

6’1” – 205lbs – Running Back/Linebacker

Had 112 carries for 981 yards and 21 TDs.
On defense had 71 solo tackles, 62 assists, 11 tackles for a loss, and three sacks.

Photo Courtesy of Ooltewah

TWO TIME WINNER!

2008 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 5A – Jacques Smith, Ooltewah

6’3” – 240lbs – Defensive/Tight End

Had 58 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks. Forced three and recovered two fumbles.
Graded out at 95% with two TDs.

2009 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class AAA – Jacques Smith, Ooltewah

6’3” – 240lbs – Defensive/Tight End

Had 72 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks.
Forced three fumbles and had six receptions for 85 yards and one TD.

2009 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class A – Terrell Robinson, South Pittsburg

6’3” – 185lbs – Quarterback/Free Safety

Had 110 carries for 862 yards and 17 TDs.
Threw for 1,326 yards and 17 TDs on 78 of 129 passing attempts.
On defense had 27 solo tackles, 31 assists, and six interceptions.

Photo Courtesy of Baylor

2010 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year

Division II-AA – Jacob Huesman, Baylor

6’2” – 190lbs – Quarterback

Threw for 788 yards and four TDs on 62 of 110 passing attempts.
140 carries for 1,325 yards and 18 TDs.
Was a Mr. Football finalist in junior season.

Photo Courtesy of South Pittsburg

2011 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class A – Coltin Blevins, South Pittsburg

5’11” – 225lbs – Offensive Guard/Linebacker

Had 71 tackles, 43 assists, five tackles for a loss, and one sack.
Forced three and recovered two fumbles.

Photo Courtesy of Baylor

2011 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AA – Barrett Gouger, Baylor

6’5” – 280lbs – Offensive/Defensive Tackle

Graded out at 90% with 24 pancake blocks.
Named to All-State team twice.

Photo Courtesy of Baylor

2011 – Tennessee Titans Kicker of the Year

Division II-AA – Henrique Ribeiro, Baylor

6’1” – 215lbs – Kicker

Made eight of 11 field goals, with the longest from 57 yards and three from over 50 yards.
49 of 53 kickoffs were for touchbacks.

2012 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class AAA – Austin Sanders, Bradley Central High School

6’6”— 295lbs – Defensive End/Tackle

Graded out at 91% with 48 pancake blocks.
Had 16 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and one recovered fumble.

Photo Courtesy of South Pittsburg

2013 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class A – Jajuan Lankford, South Pittsburg

5’9” – 180lbs – Running Back/Defensive Back

Rushed for 1,547 yards for 23 TDs in 138 carries.
Had 10 receptions for 168 yards and two TDs.
Was a Mr. Football finalist in sophomore season.

Photo Courtesy of Baylor

2013 – Tennessee Titans Kicker of the Year

Division II-A – Rafael Gaglianone, Baylor

6’ – 230lbs – Kicker

Made eight of 13 field goals with the longest from 57 yards and made 32 of 33 extra point attempts.
46 of 50 kickoffs were for touchbacks.

Photo by Andy Mitchell Photography

2014 – Tennessee Titans Kicker of the Year

Division 5-AAA – Laszlo Toser, Ooltewah

5’9” – 185lbs – Kicker

Made 15 of 19 field goals with the longest from 52 yards and made 51 of 52 extra point attempts.
70 of 77 kickoffs were for touchbacks.
Of 39 punt attempts, nine were inside the 20 and five were inside the 10-yard line.

Photo by Andy Mitchell Photography

2015 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year

Class 3A – Traneil Moore, East Ridge

6’2” – 190lbs – Running Back

Rushed for 1,666 yards and 23 TDs in 166 carries.
Had two receptions for 60 yards and one TD.

Photo by Randall Brewer

2015 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Division II-AA – Ryan Parker, Baylor School

6’1” – 210lbs – Linebacker/Running Back

Had 95 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, 45 assists, eight sacks, two blocked punts, and one recovered fumble.
Rushed over 600 yards for 14 TDs, caught four passes for 81 yards and one TD.

Photo by Gene Fuller

2016 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman of the Year

Class 2A – Alex Kirkendoll, Marion Co. High School

6’3” – 220lbs – Linebacker/Tight End

Had 126 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two safeties.
Named to All-State team twice and was a Mr. Football finalist in junior season.

Photo Courtesy of South Pittsburg

2020 – Tennessee Titans Mr. Football

Class 1A – Hunter Frame, South Pittsburg

6’ – 170lbs – Running Back/Defensive Back

Rushed more than 1,200 yards for 23 TDs with an average of 15.6 yards per carry.
More than 3,600 yards rushed in high school career.

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