NASHVILLE — Even before the season began, their names were already known statewide as two of the highest-rated college football prospects in Tennessee. But after living up to the recruiting hype by producing impressive on-the-field results, Baylor's Amari Jefferson and Bradley Central's Boo Carter had their names forever etched in prep football history on Tuesday when each were named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award winners in their respective classification at Nissan Stadium.
Large banners hanging from the ceiling over the stage declared winners from each of the previous 39 events, and both Jefferson and Carter recognized that winning the award their names would now join the others.
Jefferson, a University of Alabama commit who brought home the Division II-AAA award, is the sixth Baylor player to be named the state's Mr. Football, earning the recognition over McCallie linebacker Carson Gentle and Lipscomb Academy defensive back Kaleb Beasley.
Meanwhile Carter, a University of Tennessee commit who got the nod in Class 6A, is the first Bradley Central player to earn the state's most prestigious prep football honor since offensive lineman Austin Sanders in 2012. The other 6A finalists were Murfreesboro Riverdale quarterback Braden Graham and Oakland athlete Daune Morris, who transferred there from Red Bank during the summer.
More than 400 people, including coaches, family, school administrators, Titans representatives and media attended the ceremony. There were three finalists in each of the TSSAA's nine classifications, with one award winner in each, plus an overall Kicker of the Year. The finalists and winners earned their place based on their regular-season performance. The playoffs do not factor into those decisions.
Jefferson, a 6-foot, 200-pound receiver, had 53 catches for 877 yards (16.6 per catch average) and 12 touchdowns during the regular season and joins former Red Raiders Ryan Parker (2015), Barrett Gouger (2011), Jacob Huesman (2010), Jacques McClendon (2005) and Scott Abelson (1997) as award winners.
"It's amazing, to be honest," said Jefferson, who helped the Red Raiders reach the BlueCross Bowl each of the past two seasons, winning a state title in 2022 and finishing runners-up this year. "I wanted this pretty bad, so I'm very excited right now. Just going through a range of emotions, but mostly pure happiness.
"I think there's two guys (quarterback Whit Muschamp and tight end Max LeBlanc) on our team right now that should have also been finalists with me. That just credits the amount of talent that's in our league. There's (FBS) level players on just about every team in our league, so to be a Mr. Football winner with so much talent on every team is very humbling."
Carter compiled 1,145 all-purpose yards, including 55 catches for 911 yards and 12 TDs during the regular season. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder also returned two punts for scores and had 71 tackles (four for loss) and an interception. He helped the Bears win their first region title since 1980 and eventually to the semifinals for the first time since 1976.
"It was a great feeling just to have the opportunity to compete for Mr. Football," said Carter. "I had a good feeling when they were going through everybody's name, but to hear my name called, it was something I was thankful for.
"To be a finalist with Daune was pretty special. I've known him since we were kids and with him coming back next year, I told him to go get his next season."
The 6-4, 250-pound Gentle, who helped McCallie claim the DII-AAA state title last Thursday, led his team with 58.5 total tackles, including 45 solos, eight for loss and three sacks, plus four pass breakups.
"The reality of what we accomplished didn't really set in until around Sunday," Gentle said. "For us seniors to be able to go out together like that was pretty amazing. Now I'll start preparing for wrestling season.
"Being here today was an honor. There are a lot of guys I've played against and some I will get to play with who were here. I'm super proud for Amari because I know he's worked hard to be where he is. It's very well deserved. I'm obviously a little disappointed to not take home that trophy, but I couldn't be happier with where I'm at right now."
Two other area players — South Pittsburg quarterback Kamden Wellington and Pirates linebacker Jamarion Farrior — were Class 1A semifinalists, but were not named finalists.
2023 TENNESSEE TITANS MR. FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS
Class 1A
Dawson White, Moore County
Class 2A
Isaiah Groves, East Robertson
Class 3A
Radarious Jackson, Sheffield
Class 4A
KeShawn Tarleton, Pearl Cohn
Class 5A
Kelvin Perkins, Southwind
Class 6A
Boo Carter, Bradley Central
Division II-A
JayLen Mosley, Jackson Christian School
Division II-AA
Crews Law, Christ Presbyterian Academy
Division II-AAA
Amari Jefferson, Baylor
Kicker of the Year
Owen Taylor, Knoxville Halls
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com.