Top 15 rising high school sophomores in Gibson County for the 2025-26 school year

By Michael Odom | August 5, 2025 |

South Gibson’s Tyler DeHaan (17) pitches against Greeneville during the Class 3A high school baseball tournament at Smyrna High School on May 23, 2025.

As the 2025-26 school year continues to near, we have broken down the top 15 rising seniors and juniors going into this season. This week, we look at the top 15 returning sophomores in Gibson County for the upcoming school year.

1. Tyler DeHaan (South Gibson baseball) – DeHaan stepped right into the Hornets’ pitching rotation and made an immediate impact. He went 6-1 on the mound with 37.2 innings pitched. He gave up 12 earned runs and 31 hits to finish the season with 43 strikeouts and a 2.23 ERA.

2. Tyland Richmond (Humboldt football, track & field) – Richmond showed his speed on the football field and on the track & field team. In football, he helped the Vikings to a three-win season as he had 32 receptions for 476 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 10 tackles at defensive back. In track & field, Richmond finished seventh in the 400-meter dash in the Class A sectional as he finished with a time of 53.95.

3. Colin Pack (Gibson County boys golf) – Pack averaged an 82 over four rounds of postseason play last season. He finished tied for 22nd at the Class A state tournament with a 161 (75-86).

4. Rylee Hood (South Gibson girls soccer) – In her freshman season, Hood helped lead the Lady Hornets to the Class AA state quarterfinals as she recorded 13 goals and five assists.

5. Drey Scott (South Gibson football) – Scott showed his ability to play defensive back as a freshman. He finished the year with 40 tackles with six tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one blocked extra point along with four interceptions

6. Jaden Champion (Humboldt football) – Champion helped the Vikings to a three-win season as he played all over the field. He had 18 rushes for 132 yards and a touchdown, caught three passes for 30 yards, defensively made 34 total tackles with a fumble recovery and forced fumble. He also played some back-up quarterback and completed 10-of-17 passes for 111 yards.

7. Jaxon Young (South Gibson football, basketball) – Young is a playmaker for the Hornets in football. Playing wide receiver and defensive back, he has a large frame as he stands 6-feet, 3-inches tall. His height makes him an easy target in the passing game, and he has the speed to contain many receivers. In basketball, he has developed his game throughout his freshman season to be able to hit shots on all three levels.

8. Mason Taylor (West Carroll football) – Taylor came on the scene last year and showed what he can do on the football field. He picked up his rushing carries mid-season when Jayden Milton got hurt, but he is a playmaker all over the field.

9. Caroline Shelton (South Gibson tennis) – Shelton played as the Lady Hornets’ No. 2 singles player all last season and joined with Ivy Cianciolo in the postseason to reach the Region 7-AA semifinals after finishing as the District 14-AA runner-up.

10. Duncan Brake (Milan boys cross country) – Brake was the top runner for the Bulldogs all of last season, and he finished 54th in the Region 7 A-AA meet with a time of 19:54.73.

11. Bryson Ward (South Gibson football) – Ward’s stock has gone up over the summer after the work he put in during the offseason. He is strong and has hands that can catch passes.

12. Owen Pack (Gibson County baseball) – Pack helped the Pioneers to a third-place finish in District 14-2A last season as he batted .330 with a .948 on-base percentage. He had two doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI.

13. Caleb Sims (Peabody football) – Sims has proven to be one of the top arms in the class of 2028 in the state. He has the athleticism and mechanics to make plays all over the field. He still has room for development, and he will only get better.

14. Abby Glisson (Bradford softball) – Glisson helped the Lady Red Devils through an injury-riddled season as she batted .340 with four doubles and one triple to go with seven RBI, 15 runs and seven stolen bases.

15. Libby Dunlap (Milan track & field) – Dunlap competed in the Class A sectional in two events, finishing 14th in the discus throw with a distance of 64-feet, 9-inches and 14th in the shot put with a distance of 22-feet.

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.