Jackson Academy linebacker TJ White has been named the Mississippi Gatorade Football Player of the Year, becoming the first football player in school history to earn the prestigious honor. TJ’s award marks the eleventh time a JA athlete across all sports has been named the Gatorade Player of the Year, cementing his place among the elite student-athletes in Jackson Academy’s storied athletic history.
The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high academic achievement and exemplary character. TJ’s selection reflects his dominant performance on the field throughout the 2025 season, which culminated in Jackson Academy’s state championship victory over Hartfield Academy. TJ recorded 88 tackles, including 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, leading the team in all three categories. As a key defensive leader for the Raiders, his impact went beyond statistics as he anchored a defense that limited opponents throughout the championship run.
“TJ has great physical traits; he is long, he is fast and he has the best three-step acceleration into a tackle that I’ve seen,” Head Coach David Duggan said. “He can rush the passer, he can drop into coverage, and he can play man-to-man. Combine that with a high football IQ, and all of those skills will translate at the next level.”
TJ’s accomplishments extend beyond the Gatorade award. He and teammate Dereon Albert became the first Jackson Academy players ever selected to the Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen. TJ will also represent Jackson Academy in the 2026 U.S. Navy All-American Bowl in January. His senior season concluded with another major milestone when he signed with the University of Tennessee football program during College Signing Day on December 3. He will join Dereon Albert in Knoxville, where both will continue their education and football careers at the SEC level.
TJ’s dedication to academics, athletics, and leadership embodies the values that define the Raider program. As he prepares for the next chapter in Knoxville, TJ leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of Jackson Academy athletes.
