#PRZTN Exclusive: #TN2025 Watch List
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This Fall football season has not only provided a chance for upperclassmen to get back on the field and enhance their recruitments but it’s also been a debut for the youth and the future of high school football here in Tennessee.
Well here at Prep RedZoneTN, we have dived deep into the 2025 recruiting class to provide you an early look at some of the top freshmen from our home state and some of the top talent to know about going forward.
Several prospects from our 2025 in-state class have already received college offers but many, many out there have not and that’s understandable as we have tons of time remaining for our freshmen to develop.
This class will continue to grow and develop over the coming years and new names will pop up, so the guys we mention today may not be in the recruiting mix by the end of their high school careers.
You will need to check out our full 2025 Watch List to see who all made the cut but here are some top names to know about now and follow going forward.
(FYI …players are not ranked here or inside the “Watch List”)
(OL) Jimmy Bryson Jimmy Bryson 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor | 2025 State TN (6’4 250) – Knox. Catholic
(DT) Antonio Carter, Jr Antonio Carter, Jr 6'2" | 265 lbs | DL Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN (6’1 260) – Lipscomb
(DT/OL) Chauncey Gooden Chauncey Gooden 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN (6’4 295) – Lipscomb
(DE) Garrett Hagan Garrett Hagan 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Houston | 2025 State TN (6’3 220) – Houston
(S) Kolbe Harmon Kolbe Harmon 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Brentwood Academy | 2025 State TN – Brentwood Acad
(LB) Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN (6’3 210) – Page
(OL) Kyle Larkin Kyle Larkin 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Ravenwood | 2025 State TN (6’5 245) – Ravenwood
(WR) Carson Lawrence Carson Lawrence 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB McCallie | 2025 State TN (6’1 165) – McCallie
(TE) Aaron Mattingly Aaron Mattingly 6'5" | 205 lbs | TE Green Hill | 2025 State TN (6’5 190) – Green Hill
(TE/DE) Eli Owens Eli Owens 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Alcoa | 2025 State TN (6’3 220) – Alcoa
(QB) Tav Shaffer Tav Shaffer 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN (6’2 190) – Lipscomb,
(QB) Tyler Travers Tyler Travers 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB Mt. Juliet | 2025 State TN (6’5 190) – Pope Prep
(Ath) Cameron Sparks Cameron Sparks 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Baylor | 2025 State TN (6’4 205) – Baylor
(Ath) Dominic Taylor Dominic Taylor 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Riverdale | 2025 State TN (5’11 170) – Riverdale
(LB) Kris Thompson Kris Thompson 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lipscomb Academy | 2025 State TN (6’1 210) – Lipscomb
(DL) Ethan Utley Ethan Utley 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Ensworth | 2025 State TN (6’4 250) – Ensworth
(Ath) A.J. Wallace A.J. Wallace 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH South Pittsburg | 2025 State TN (6’2 175) – Chatt. Christian
Early look shows that the 2025 class is strong at quarterback with Shaffer, Travers and many others. The line of scrimmage looks pretty strong too with guys like Bryson and Larkin blocking up front and Carter, Jr, Gooden, Hagan and Utley chasing after the ball. The skill positions are in flux as many guys are growing into their bodies but guys like Lawrence, Sparks, Taylor and Wallace can play anywhere on the field due to their high athletic abilities.
The secondary is one area that will take time to develop as many guys don’t settle into the defensive backfield until the upperclassmen years but Harmon is one guy to know now. Two linebackers in Hazzard and Thompson are elite level talents that have the P5, D1 size and physicality coaches look for. Two intriguing talents are Mattingly and Owens as both are strong pass catchers that have the size, length and versatility to be used in a variety of ways.
Much will change over the coming years with the players mentioned above as well as new prospects jumping on the radar. This class will continue to transform but the 2025 crop already looks quite strong with multiple Power Five and Division 1 talents that will only get better as they develop and mature.