Knoxville’s top football prospects for 2022

It’s time to meet the Elite Eight.

The Knox News 2021 Elite Eight is a collection of the Knoxville area’s top football prospects for the Class of 2022.

Week 1:Tennessee high school football Week 1 schedule for TSSAA 2021 season

Countdown to kickoff:50 questions 50 days from the first Friday night of Knoxville high school football season 2021

Major Newman is No. 8 on Knox News’ 2021 Elite Eight, a collection of the Knoxville area’s top college football prospects for the Class of 2022 as picked by the newspaper.

He has yet to receive a rating in the 247Sports Composite, and has received nine Division I offers.

Read more:How Alcoa’s Major Newman got college football recruiters’ attention with two offseason changes

DJ Burks, a 6-foot, 185-pound athlete, is No. 7 on Knox News’ 2021 Elite Eight, a collection of the Knoxville area’s top football prospects for the Class of 2022 as picked by the newspaper.

He’s earned a three-star rating as the No. 43 overall prospect in Tennessee in the 247Sports Composite. He led the Knoxville area in interceptions last season with nine, in addition to 101 tackles and two fumble recoveries. 

Read more:Why Appalachian State football commitment DJ Burks of Maryville wanted to pick a school before senior year

Markel Fortenberry is No. 6 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top senior college football prospects in the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper.

At 6-foot-4, he was the top receiver for the Rebels in his first season with the team in 2020 recording 21 receptions for 400 yards and six touchdowns, he was selected to the all-region team as he helped lead Maryville to the class 6A semifinal. He committed to Liberty over other offers including Akron, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern and Marshall. 

Read more:Faith and education led Maryville’s Markel Fortenberry to Liberty commitment

Kendall Jackson, a three-star athlete, is No. 5 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top senior college football prospects in the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper. Jackson has nearly 20 offers, including Duke, Memphis, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Read more:Why keeping Kendall Jackson healthy is key to another Oak Ridge football playoff run

Nakelin McAfee is No. 4 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top senior college football prospects from the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper.

The three-star running back is the No. 46 prospect in Tennessee, according to the 247Sports Composite. 

Read more:Rushing for 2,000 yards one of King’s Academy running back Nakelin McAfee’s big goals for 2021

Shannon Blair, a three-star athlete, is No. 3 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top football prospects in the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper. He chose Michigan State over offers from Purdue, Virginia and Duke, as well as 13 other programs. 

Read more:Why West’s Shannon Blair is Knoxville’s most versatile football player

Tommy Winton, a three-star wide receiver, is No. 2 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top senior prospects in the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper. The No. 22 prospect in Tennessee according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Winton holds offers from 14 schools, including Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Read more:Are some colleges ‘missing the boat’ on Catholic football receiver Tommy Winston because of his size?

Walter Nolen is No. 1 on the Knox News Elite 8, a collection of the top senior football prospects from the Knoxville area as picked by the newspaper.

He’s the top-ranked defensive lineman and No. 2 overall prospect nationally, with well over 20 offers. Nolen will be the highest-ranked prospect to play in Knoxville since at least 2000 — the furthest back that 247Sports’ Composite rankings go.