The 2024 TSSAA football season is a mere couple of weeks away from beginning.
Along with the anticipation to watch Knoxville area teams overall, it’s also worth being excited for the returning players who will become new stars for their teams.
Here are the five Knoxville area football players Knox News predicts are poised for a breakout season.
Condis Cherry
Alcoa, So.
Position: Defensive back, wide receiver
Cherry transferred from Austin-East to Alcoa this offseason and can be an instant contributor for the nine-time defending state champions. At 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, he is one of the more electric athletes in the area. In his first year, he had 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and three interceptions. He also had 40 catches for 543 yards and five touchdowns. Once Cherry adapts to Alcoa's system, his playmaking on both sides will be a factor in the Tornadoes’ run for a hopeful 10th consecutive state title.
Malik Howard
Oak Ridge, So.
Position: Tight end
Howard is one of the most highly touted tight ends in the state after picking up offers from Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Indiana and more. After not having a significant role in his first year, he should be an essential part of the Wildcats’ offense. In 7-on-7 and scrimmage play, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete made impressive catches in traffic and in space. Howard told Knox News that he’s excited to show how much he's leveled up athletically this offseason. His blend of quickness running his routes coupled with elite measurables could make him one of the most unstoppable offensive targets in the area.
Casen Jenkins
Knoxville Catholic, Jr.
Position: Wide receiver
Jenkins will have the opportunity to fill the hole left by Braylon Harmon who was last year’s Division II-AAA East Player of the Year and is now a preferred walk-on at Tennessee. Harmon had 84 catches, 1,072 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot, 175-pound Jenkins can be Catholic’s new go-to slot receiver relied upon for crucial first downs after having 18 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns last season. At an Aug. 2 scrimmage against Bearden, Jenkins —alongside four-star wideout Tyreek King — reeled in multiple catches which could be signs of his readiness for greater usage.
Will Jones
Maryville, So.
Position: Quarterback
Jones didn’t have the starting quarterback job at the start of last season. When given the chance, he showcased the ability to manage the game and make plays as a freshman. In seven starts, he completed 68% of his passes for 835 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also had 63 rushes for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Jones, who has an Eastern Kentucky offer, told Knox News that he's acquainted with reading defenses. He also has the benefit of working with his older brother Carson Jones who is a former Rebels quarterback and redshirt sophomore at Furman.
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Tavion Ray
West, Sr.
Position: Running back
Ray can be the next standout running back for West, the two-time defending state champions. In 2022, Class 5A Mr. Football finalist Brayden Latham, now a sophomore at Eastern Kentucky, led the team to a 15-0 record. Last season, Marshaun Bowers, now at Tennessee Tech, had over 1,107 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Ray has learned from those two dominant backs and in his limited reps showed flashes of brilliance. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 49 rushes and four touchdowns.
Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter, @TJ3rd_ .
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 5 Knoxville area football players poised for breakout 2024 TSSAA seasons
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