1. Elijah Howard
Baylor
RB (5-11, 185)
Recruiting buzz: The Tennessee commitment was a Mr. Football finalist last season when he averaged 7.8 yards per carry in gaining 1,422 yards. He was recently timed at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
2. Javin Burke
Bradley Central
DB/ATH (6-0, 202)
Recruiting buzz: He committed to Virginia, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from 14 other programs, including Southeastern Conference members Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. He is rated as the 49th-best athlete in the nation.
3. B.J. Harris
McCallie
RB (5-11, 195)
Recruiting buzz: He committed to Missouri, choosing the Tigers over offers from Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and South Carolina among others. He earned all-state honors last season after rushing for more than 1,500 yards - averaging nearly 140 per game.
4. Austin Gentle
McCallie
OL (6-3, 285)
Recruiting buzz:He chose to commit to Harvard over offers from 24 other programs, including Louisville, Memphis, North Carolina State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, as well as the service academies and other Ivy League schools. Rated the No. 19 offensive guard in the nation, he earned all-state recognition last year when he finished with 104 pancake blocks.
5. Bryce Goodner
McMinn County
OL (6-3, 300)
Recruiting buzz: He committed to Virginia Tech, choosing the Hokies over offers from 27 other Division I programs. He was named the Region 2-6A offensive lineman of the year after helping the Cherokees to an 8-0 start last season.
(READ MORE: Annual Times Free Press Chattanooga-area prep football preview highlights 50-plus teams)
6. B.J. Ragland
Red Bank
OL (6-2, 300)
Recruiting buzz: He committed to Tulane, choosing the Green Wave over offers from 30 other Division I programs. He is listed as a preseason Class 3A all-state selection and is ranked as a top-1o offensive lineman in Tennessee by GridironScouting.com.
7. Jalen Hunt
McMinn County
RB (5-10, 180)
Recruiting buzz: He committed to Western Carolina and already owns the single-game and career rushing records for the Cherokees. Last season he ran for a whopping 377 yards on 30 carries against Bradley Central and finished with 1,728 rushing yards. He enters this season with 3,176 for his career.
8. Cameron Bell
Red Bank
DL (6-4, 235)
Recruiting buzz: He has offers from more than 30 Division I programs, including Kansas, Central Florida, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Appalchian State, San Diego State, Middle Tennessee State University and UT-Chattanooga. He had 15 tackles for loss last season.
9. Eric Rivers
McCallie
WR (6-0, 170)
Recruiting buzz: He joined the football team late last season and earned all-state honors. He is now drawing recruiting interest in both basketball and football. His football recruiting is expected to gain steam with larger programs but already has offers or heavy interest from UTC, Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay, Samford and Tennessee State Univesrity.
10. Jamario Clements
LaFayette
RB (5-11, 190)
Recruiting buzz: He has offers from Kentucky, Air Force, Army and Navy and is being recruited by UTC. Last season he rushed for 1,200 yards.
11. Evan Lester
Christian Heritage
WR/ATH (6-3, 215)
Recruiting buzz: He has offers from 18 Division I programs, including South Florida, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Wofford, Liberty and Western Carolina. Last year the two-way starter had 40 receptions for 735 yards and 13 touchdowns; 66 tackes and three interceptions as a free safety.
12. Jeremiah Sawyer
Tyner
RB/LB (5-10, 206)
Recruiting buzz: He has an offer from Tennessee State University and is being recruited by at least four other college programs. Last season he ran for more than 500 yards and scored 11 touchdowns and also made 69 tackles and 10 more for loss.