When it comes to high school football, the annual preseason rankings are akin to the first whistle of the season-everyone's eager to see where their favorite teams stand. This year, High School Football America (HSFA) has released its top 300 high school football programs across the nation, and Tennessee's showing is strong with nine teams making the cut.
Leading the Volunteer State's charge is Baylor at No. 11, a team that's consistently proven its mettle on the field. Not far behind, we find Oakland at No. 18, followed by McCallie at No. 38 and Brentwood Academy at No.
- The list continues with Alcoa at No.
103, Ravenwood at No. 151, and Ensworth at No. 202.
Rounding out Tennessee’s representatives are Maryville at No. 205 and Page at No. 232.
However, the glaring omission of Battle Ground Academy (BGA) from this prestigious list has raised eyebrows. With a 24-4 record over the past two seasons and a roster loaded with Power 4 prospects, BGA has been a dominant force, especially in the Division II-AA playoffs. Their exclusion from the top 300 feels like a missed call on the field-one that has left many scratching their heads.
Jeff Fisher, co-founder and editor-in-chief of HSFA, stands by the rankings, which are determined by a meticulous algorithm. Fisher, who has been averse to preseason opinion polls, emphasizes the importance of concrete data over subjective analysis.
His algorithm, which he developed in 2013, evaluates on-field performance, strength of schedule, and team history without human bias. It's a system that’s earned its stripes, with 69 percent of preseason-ranked teams finishing the season in the rankings.
Fisher explains that BGA's current position just outside the top 300 is largely due to their schedule. The algorithm places significant weight on out-of-state matchups against elite competition.
For instance, last year's national champion, St. Thomas Aquinas (FL), secured their top spot by playing a national schedule, unlike Buford (GA), which remained in-state.
Despite the current standings, Fisher acknowledges BGA's efforts to bolster their schedule this season with games against teams like St. Michael Catholic (AL) and Milton (GA). These matchups could be BGA's ticket into the rankings, as wins against such formidable opponents would significantly boost their standing.
While there's a debate on whether BGA is already one of Tennessee's best, Fisher is optimistic that they’ll prove themselves on the field. As the season unfolds, BGA has a chance to silence any doubts and claim their rightful place among the top teams. It's a storyline that promises excitement, as the ultimate verdict will be delivered where it matters most-on the gridiron.
In Other News...
Jacob Martin Already Feels Like A Sneaky Titans Offseason Win
Jacob Martin has already given the Titans something they can use in a hurry, and it starts with the kind of versatility every front office is chasing in June. The 30-year-old edge rusher arrived in Tennessee after stops with seven other NFL teams, bringing a late-career surge from Washington that made him look more than just another depth add. Coming off his best season as a pro, Martin has the rsum of a veteran who can help Tennessee in the pass-rush rotation while also giving the roster value on special teams.
What makes the signing feel sneaky is how quickly Martin has started drawing notice around OTAs and minicamp, even before the pads come on. For a Titans team trying to squeeze production out of every roster spot, that kind of early buzz matters, especially when a free-agent pickup can offer multiple ways to impact a game. The real test will come once the competition gets faster and more physical, but for now Martin looks like the sort of under-the-radar addition that can pay off in more than one phase. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Fans May Have Missed What This Quiet Signing Is Becoming
The Titans safety picture is already taking shape with Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr. set to start, but the quieter development has been Tony Adams sliding into the third safety role after signing a one-year deal. A low-profile free-agent addition, Adams arrived from the Jets with familiarity in head coach Robert Salehs system, and that background has helped him stand out during offseason workouts.
What makes Adams worth watching is that the early signs point to more than just a depth add. The coaching staff has repeatedly singled him out in camp, and he is positioned not only to back up the starters but also to help teammates get comfortable with the defensive scheme. For a roster still sorting out how the secondary fits together, that kind of inside-the-system presence can end up mattering more than anyone first expected. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Draft History Just Got The Brutal Regrade Fans Feared
A fresh look back across the Titans draft classes from 2021 through 2025 makes for a sobering read, especially for the years under Jon Robinson. The 2021 group is framed as a rough miss from the top down, with Caleb Farley carrying the weight of a first-round swing that never came close to the return Tennessee needed, while the next years class is remembered more for what it cost the franchise than for what it produced.
There are brighter notes as the timeline moves forward. Ran Carthons classes show more life, with Peter Skoronski standing out as a genuine first-round win and pieces like Cedric Gray offering some hope for the future, while the 2025 haul under Mike Borgonzi is already drawing attention for early signs of promise. Even so, the full review still leaves one question hanging for Titans fans: whether the recent progress is enough to offset how much ground those earlier draft whiffs forced the organization to give back. [Read more 🡒]