2026 player rankings: Slight changes/Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Tennessee player rankings have newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, there was some movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what's new in the 2026 player rankings:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartlett's <strong>Jayden</strong> <strong>Mitchell</strong> debuted at No. 81. Towards the end of the 2023 season, Mitchell made big shots for the Panthers. At 5-foot-11, Mitchell plays physical on defense and never shows he's afraid to take shots in tight spots. Against Southwind in the TSSAA Division I Class 4A District 15 Tournament, Mitchell made a corner 3 to tie the gam before Bartlett grabbed the lead for good. He's playing in a limited role this season, but Mitchell's making the best of his minutes on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwind's <strong>Justin</strong> <strong>Edwards</strong> debuted at No. 70. Edwards is effective on the offensive end. He was a big part of the Jaguars' success this season. Edwards is one of those prospects that will get into a nice rhythm and stay in it if that first shot falls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Slight changes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Webb's <strong>Cam</strong> <strong>Swearengen</strong> moved up three spots No. 6. The 6-4 shooting guard has been a solid piece to the Spartans' postseason run. I saw him earlier in the season and was very impressed with his movement without the basketball, shot selection and effort on the defensive end. Swearengen has a high basketball IQ. He can make shots from different areas on the court. Swearengen could end up being one of the most complete players in this class by the end of his high school basketball career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Assembly Christian School's <strong>Cello</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong> remains inside the top five. The top five of [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'], [player_tooltip player_id='1959160' first='Trey' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2101863' first='Kamai' last='Samuels'], and Jackson is stacked. The 6-2 guard deserves to be in the top five. Just last weekend in the quarterfinals round of the TSSAA Division II-A Boys' State Tournament, Jackson willed the Crusaders to a win over Columbia Academy. He was able to affect the game with his scoring and passing. Jackson is a primetime player. Each time his number is called, Jackson steps up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest Christian's <strong>Fred</strong> <strong>Smith</strong> stays put at No. 9. Smith is probably one of the most skilled prospects in the class. For the Saints this season, Smith has been the key to the team's fluent offense. He's a point guard in a forward's body. Smith sees the floor well, can make any pass, finishes well around the rim, and is very unselfish. The top 10 in this class is head and shoulders above many prospects looking up at them, and Smith is definitely one of the faces in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->