Oak Ridge High School junior Tee Higgins, second from left, was named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year in Class 5A during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Higgins is pictured above with ORHS Athletic Director Mike Mullins, left, and Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis and Receivers Coach Kwayu Graham. (Photo by Martin McDonald)
Note: This story was updated at 3:30 p.m.
Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday. Higgins was named Back of the Year in Class 5A.
The other Class 5A Back of the Year finalist was Nate Johnson of Independence High School, which is coached by former Oak Ridge Coach Scott Blade. The Wildcats are now coached by Joe Gaddis.
Higgins is a wide receiver, punt returner, and defensive back, and a star playmaker for the Wildcats. He had 46 catches for 841 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He also had a punt return and an interception for a touchdown, and another interception and some big punt and kickoff returns.
Higgins, who has committed to the University of Tennessee, also plays basketball, and he was named the most valuable player at the 17th Annual Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament last week.
Some of the winners of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football awards for 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association are pictured above at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins is wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey with the number 5 on it. (Photo by Martin McDonald)
Other area players who won a Mr. Football award include Maryville linebacker T.D. Blackmon (Class 6A Lineman), Catholic wide receiver/defensive back Amari Rodgers (4A Back), and Alcoa defensive lineman Jonathan Decker (3A Lineman).
Four semifinalists for each category and each classification were announced on November 5. There are six classifications in Division I and two in Division II.
The two finalists for each award were invited to attend the awards luncheon at Nissan Stadium, where the winner of each award was announced.
A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2015 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.
See the list of winners here.
See the list of finalists here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Sam Hopwood says
Quite an accomplishment. A talented athlete for sure. I hope the future bodes well for him.