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Vote for the Guardian Foundation Repair top 2026 TSSAA football preseason athlete
Here are the candidates for the Guardian Foundation Repair top preseason athlete for the 2026 TSSAA football season. Voters have until noon on July 30 to submit their responses.
Knox News reserves the right to remove an individual from a poll if it suspects any voting irregularities.
Jarrell Chandler, Halls: Chandler starred as Halls' elite safety with 94 tackles, eight pass breakups, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery. The Clemson commit is also the Red Devils' top returning receiver with 42 catches for 691 yards and seven touchdowns.
Taren Claridy, Greeneville: Claridy was the Region 1-4A Athlete of the Year in 2025 with 35 catches for 544 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver. He produced 40 tackles, 10 pass breakups, eight interceptions, four tackles for loss and two defensive touchdowns on defense.
Jasper Hamilton, Tellico Plains: Hamilton stepped up for Tellico as a freshman with 634 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 108 carries. He led the team with 97 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Donovan Jackson, Jefferson County: Jackson had 24 tackles and a pass breakup while rushing for 1,007 yards and five touchdowns on 164 carries.
Caden Jay, Lenoir City: Jay ran for 766 yards and six touchdowns on 99 carries, then recorded 46 tackles, three pass breakups, two tackles for loss and an interception on defense.
Micah Jones, Alcoa: The Class 4A state champion MVP totaled 628 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 100 carries. He also added 40 tackles, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns to an Alcoa defense that held opponents to one score or less in eight games.
Elliott Lindsey, Greenback: Lindsey paired his 1,242 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns with 103 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack.
Parker Newman, Sevier County: The Region 1-5A Athlete of the Year made the PrepXtra second team as a linebacker with 117 tackles, eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, four interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Newman is also committed to Duke as a tight end coming off a season with 78 catches for 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Davonte Scruggs, Carter: Scruggs finished the 2025 season with 476 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 43 catches, as well as 47 tackles, two tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Sam Sexton, Campbell County: Sexton led Campbell County with 10 pass breakups and two interceptions with 30 total tackles. He generated 515 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver with 38 catches.
Tnaj Taylor, Central: Taylor was Central's fourth leading receiver and tackler in 2025, and will have a bigger role this season. He caught 18 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winner over Halls in the regular season. Taylor also had 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass breakups.
Kaden Webber, Grace Christian: The Army football commit made the PrepXtra third team as a defensive back with 70 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a quarterback pressure, a forced fumble, a sack and an interception. Webber caught 28 passes for 490 yards and six touchdowns.
VoteGuardian Foundation RepairTSSAAKnoxvilleHereVotersKnox NewsJarrell ChandlerHallsChandlerThe ClemsonRed Devils
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