Former Nashville area high school football players in CFP, bowl games

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Nashville-area college football fans watched former Father Ryan receiver Charlie Becker lead Indiana football to a stunning win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

It earned Indiana the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoffs.

Becker had six catches for 126 yards, but he’s not the only former local player making an impact on his team in the CFP or the upcoming bowl games.

Here’s a look at some of the top players from the Nashville-area in the postseason.

P/K Luke Akers

College: Northwestern | High school: Ravenwood

Postseason: GameAbove Sports Bowl, Dec. 26 vs Central Michigan

Akers has been Northwestern’s starting punter the last two seasons. He has also seen action at kicker this season. Akers is averaging 45.4 yards on 32 punts. He is 3-of-3 on field goals with a long of 35 yards.

WR Charlie Becker

College: Indiana | High School: Father Ryan

Postseason: CFP quarterfinals

Becker came up with a huge play in the Big Ten Championship when he grabbed a 51-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza that helped Indiana run out most of the final two minutes in a 13-10 victory.

Becker came on strong in the latter part of the season to become the Hoosiers’ third-leading receiver with 26 catches, 515 yards, and two touchdowns.

WR Barion Brown

College: LSU | High school: Pearl-Cohn

Postseason: Kinder’s Texas Bowl, Dec. 27 vs. Houston

Brown, a Kentucky transfer, is LSU’s leading receiver with 52 catches for 495 yards and a touchdown. He also leads the Tigers in kickoff returns, averaging 23.3 yards on 13 attempts with a long of 47 yards.

TE Gerald Bullock Jr.

College: Kennesaw State | High School: Ensworth

Postseason: Myrtle Beach Bowl, Dec. 19 vs Western Michigan

Bullock transferred from Tennessee State and is Kennesaw State’s starting tight end. He has 22 catches for 152 yards and a TD.

Two other former local players − offensive lineman JaDarious Lee from Pearl-Cohn and safety Antonio Stevens from BGA − are also starters for the Owls.

LB Arion Carter

College: Tennessee | High school: Smyrna

Postseason: Music City Bowl, Dec. 30 vs Illinois

Carter leads the SEC with 76 total tackles, even after missing time due to a toe injury. It marks the second straight year Carter has led the Vols in tackles. He also has 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

DB Mason Curtis

College: Michigan | High School: Ensworth

Postseason: Citrus Bowl, Dec. 31 vs Texas

Curtis has 34 tackles, a sack and an interception. He made six tackles in three of the last four games and a career-high seven against New Mexico.

P Grant Chadwick

College: LSU | High school: Tullahoma

Postseason: Texas Bowl

Chadwick, a transfer from MTSU, averages 45.9 yards on 59 punts with 18 inside the 20. His average is ranked sixth in the SEC.

RB Ty Clark III

College: Wake Forest | High School: Franklin Road Academy

Postseason: Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Jan. 2 vs Mississippi State

Clark stepped up this season to play a more significant role. He has 232 rushing yards and three TDs. He also has 14 catches for 136 yards.

Former Grace Christian offensive lineman George Steih is also at Wake Forest.

WR Isaiah Horton

College: Alabama | High School: Oakland

Postseason: CFP first-round, Dec. 19 vs Oklahoma

Alabama was one of the last teams to secure a spot in the CFP, and without a 27-20 win over Auburn, that likely would not have happened. Isaiah Horton was a key in that victory scoring three TDs including the game-winner.

The Miami transfer has 35 catches for 430 yards and eight TDs.

WR London Humphreys

College: Georgia | High School: Christ Presbyterian

Postseason: CFP quarterfinals

Humphreys transferred from Vanderbilt, became a part-time starter in 2024, and has played a more prominent role in 2025 with 18 catches for 276 yards and three TDs.

OL Noah Josey

College: Virginia | High school: Brentwood Academy

Postseason: Gator Bowl, Dec. 27 vs Missouri

Josey has 41 straight starts and helped the Cavaliers finish the regular season ranked No. 3 in total offense (426.3 yards) in the ACC.

LB Bryan Longwell

College: Vanderbilt | High school: Lipscomb Academy

Postseason: ReliaQuest Bowl, Dec. 31 vs Iowa

Longwell has been Vanderbilt’s leading tackler over the past two seasons. He has 67 tackles this season, along with a sack. Longwell also has an interception and two defended passes.

QB Marcel Reed

College: Texas A&M | High School: Montgomery Bell Academy

Postseason: CFP first-round, Dec. 20 vs Miami

Reed has Texas A&M in the CFP for the first time. He led the Aggies to an 11-0 record before they lost to Texas in the final game of the regular season.

Reed has thrown for 2,923 yards and 25 TDs. He has rushed for 466 yards and six TDs. He was a finalist or semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

WR Junior Sherrill

College: Vanderbilt | High school: Lipscomb Academy

Postseason: ReliaQuest Bowl

Sherrill leads the Commodores with seven touchdown receptions. He also has a rushing touchdown. Sherrill has 46 catches for 661 yards.

DB Jakobe Thomas

College: Miami | High School: Tullahoma

Postseason: CFP first-round

Thomas is Miami’s second-leading tackler. The former MTSU and Tennessee safety has 48 total stops and three sacks.

Thomas is tied for fifth in the ACC with four interceptions, one which he returned 60 yards for a TD.

DL Taylor Wein

College: Oklahoma | High School: Nolensville