Vote: Who was Tennessee’s top freshman football player of 2023?
The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.
One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where freshman that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top freshman football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the freshmen that won going head-to-head.
We’ve selected eight worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on February 1st, 2024.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here’s the nominees:
Cooper Newman, QB, Sevier County: The signal caller ended up completing 136-of-235 passes for 1,891 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
Jaxson Perry, TE/DE, Sevier County: Playing both ways for the Smoky Bears as Perry has notched 49 tackles and five sacks this season.
Xavier Murray, QB, White House Heritage: Murray was one of the most efficient freshmen passers this past season, throwing for 1,751 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Brett Godwin, QB, Lakeland Preparatory: Godwin was an effective quarterback out of the freshman class in Tennessee. The signal caller completed 147-of-277 passes for 1,663 yards and 16 touchdowns. Also rushed for 309 yards and two scores.
Connor Jones, WR, Lakeland Preparatory: The Lions feature a freshman duo at wideouts and Jones is one of the two. Jones has caught 57 passes for 572 yards and four touchdowns.
Ryan Pitts, WR, Lakeland Preparatory: Pitts is the other freshman wide receiver that’s had a big season as he’s tallied 30 catches for 386 yards and five touchdowns.
Kason Young, QB, East Robertson: When it came to getting it done on the ground and through the air, Young made great strides in Year 1. Young threw for 1,297 yards, 18 touchdowns and rushed for 312, three scores.
Zachery Cartwright, RB, Mount Julient Christian Academy: The running back carried the rock 162 times for 859 yards and scored eight touchdowns through nine games.
Fletcher Fields, RB, Forrest: Fields was another tailback that ran rampant this past 2023 season. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound back rushed for 727 yards on 80 carries and scored 11 touchdowns.
Daegan Collins, RB/LB, Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central: The 2-way standout didn’t leave the field much. Collins rushed for 537 yards on 123 touches and scored 10 touchdowns and on defense made 22 tackles.
Jackson Coffey, LB, Grace Christian Academy: Coffey came onto the scene as a freshman and was one of the state’s top tacklers, notching 125 tackles, nine for loss and two sacks.
Owen Fleenor, LB, Volunteer: The linebacker is averaging just under 10 tackles a game for Volunteer. Fleenor overall finished with 93 tackles and 11 went for a loss.
Kason Hicks, DE, Sequatchie County: The Indians’ defensive end has put together a strong first season. The edge rusher tallied 87 tackles, 18 for a loss and five sacks as a freshman.
Gowan Brown, DB, Sequatchie County: Brown had himself a solid season at cornerback and made 45 tackles, intercepting six passes for the Indians.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
