The talent pool of high school football players in Tennessee has never been more abundant, and the class of 2026 is proof of that. Led by a five-star quarterback who has already committed to one of the sport’s top programs, here are the state’s top-ranked players heading into the season.
No. 1: Jared Curtis, QB, Nashville Christian School
Curtis leads Tennessee’s rankings by a wide margin: a five-star prospect, considered the second-best recruit in the nation and the No. 1 quarterback in his class, according to the On3/Rivals rankings. A quarterback of that caliber playing in his home state gives Tennessee fans a unique opportunity to see a true national-elite prospect every Friday night before he takes the leap to the next level.
No. 2: Zay Anderson, CB, Greeneville
Anderson is a five-star cornerback, ranked among the top 105 nationally and the second-best player in Tennessee, regardless of position. Elite cornerbacks with this kind of composite rating often make the difference in the state’s biggest games, completely shutting down the opposing team’s best receiver.
No. 3: Caden Harris, CB, Haywood
Harris gives Tennessee two consecutive elite prospects at the top of their rankings, with a five-star rating and the third-best player in the state. Having two such highly regarded cornerbacks in the same draft class is a clear indication of the great defensive talent currently being produced in West Tennessee.
No. 4: Joel Wyatt, S, Oakland
Wyatt, a 6-foot-4 safety from Murfreesboro, rounds out the top four in the state with a five-star rating and a top-125 national ranking. His size for the position is immediately apparent on film: his wingspan allows him to play up the middle one play and drop back to make a tackle at the line of scrimmage the next.
No. 5: Tyreek King, WR, Knoxville Catholic
King rounds out the statewide top five five-star wide receiver, giving Knoxville Catholic a key player at that position heading into the season. Programs with such a highly rated receiver often base their offense on creating favorable matchups for him throughout the year.
What This Class Reveals About Tennessee Football
Five five-star prospects in a single statewide class—spread across four different high schools and regions, from Nashville to Greeneville and Knoxville—reflect the breadth of talent in Tennessee. It’s not concentrated in a single city or elite program; it’s distributed throughout the state, which typically leads to a more competitive season at the state level.
Check our Rankings page for team-level rankings across Tennessee, and our Scores page for results as the season unfolds.
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