"Unleashed and Explosive: Built for the Smoke , Redemption Story"

Tegan Avera

@TeganAvera

5'11, 186lbs, Class of 2025

Sevier County HS, TN

There are some athletes who electrify the field with every touch, and then there are those like Tegan who do that and more. A violent, explosive force out of the backfield, he brings a blend of speed, vision, and ferocity that keeps defenses on their heels and fans on their feet. With breakaway burners and the IQ of a quarterback, Tegan doesn't just play the game, he dissects it. His jump cuts are sudden and violent, his footwork slippery, and his understanding of defensive movement is almost surgical. Whether he’s bouncing outside or slicing through a crease with downhill power, it’s a show. When the ball is in his hands, the field opens up and the scoreboard gets busy. He’s a punishing, high-motor back who runs angry, hits lanes at full speed, and flips momentum in a heartbeat. His fire is fueled by disrespect and doubt. When the noise gets loud, his game speaks even louder.

In his career, Tegan stacked up an eye-popping 4,437 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry and 132 yards per game on a team where passing led the show. Even with a Mr. Football finalist slinging the rock and a pass-heavy scheme, he made his presence felt. Last season, while battling injury, he still notched 617 yards and delivered when it mattered most. Now fully healthy and stronger than ever, he clocks a 4.4 forty, posts a 3.9 shuttle, and powers through 435 on squat, 250 on bench, and 265 on clean. He’s back with a vengeance, and his offseason has been all gas, no brakes. honing his body, grinding in the weight room, and putting in work on the track to stay sharp. His fuel is that burning desire to prove what everyone at Sevier County already knows: he’s a baller who does everything right and deserves his shot.

But some things run deeper than stats. Tegan’s foundation is his faith. A steadfast relationship with God that defines who he is, on and off the field. It’s not a side note. It’s the core. Through every high and low, his anchor has been Christ, and his walk speaks volumes about his humility, his strength, and his purpose. He doesn’t let the storm shake him, he praises through it. That faith has kept him grounded when the world turned upside down, and it continues to drive him forward when the odds feel unfair. He plays with a spirit that’s powered by something bigger than football and it shows in how he carries himself with passion, composure, and purpose.

The truth is, there are battles a kid should never have to fight, especially not ones waged in silence behind closed doors. When Tegan transferred to Sevier County, it wasn’t for attention, it was to challenge himself against better competition. But what he left behind wasn’t just a small school, it was a system that picked favorites, where recruiting exposure depended on your last name, your family's presence, or financial influence. Coaches called. College recruiters asked. But their questions were never passed along. When Tegan asked why, the answer he got wasn’t based on performance; it was politics. “It’s not your time,” he was told. That’s not how this is supposed to work. No young athlete, especially one who works like Tegan, should ever be buried because of bias. That’s not development. That’s sabotage.

Even now, Tegan’s recruiting has hit a wall, not because he isn’t good enough, but because someone made sure the right eyes never saw him. He’s never caused a problem. Never missed an assignment. Makes good grades. Has no off-field drama. He’s broken nine school records. But somehow, he's still waiting for the call. Still waiting for a coach who will look at his film, all of it and tell him the truth. Tegan’s not begging. He’s just asking for honesty and a fair chance to compete. Not just at RB, anywhere. Special teams. Defense. Wildcat. Doesn’t matter. He’ll lace up, line up, and light it up.

Off the field, Tegan is all about the grind, living in the weight room, leading by example, and now competing in track to push his limits even further. He’s a student of the game and of life, determined to outwork the obstacles and prove that the dream isn't dead, it’s just waiting for its door to open. What he’s looking for isn’t pity. It’s purpose. One opportunity. One belief. One coach who sees through the smoke and recognizes what Sevier County already knows: Tegan Avera is the real deal.

Tegan’s combination of elite vision, violent acceleration, and natural football instincts make him a weapon for any college program looking for versatility, toughness, and explosiveness. He doesn’t just bring production but he brings edge, IQ, and unmatched competitiveness. His physical tools and mentality are built for the next level, and his leadership and discipline would instantly elevate any locker room he steps into.

Tegan is a ticking time bomb of potential, one that’s been held back for far too long. Now fully healthy and fueled by faith and fire, he’s poised to prove that passing on him was a costly mistake. Expect him to turn heads this track season, continue dominating in offseason work, and make any coach who believes in him look like a genius. His best football is still ahead, and when that moment comes, he’ll be more than ready.