Golden Eagles’ players returning to East Tennessee against Vols

Ken Lay
·2 min read

Tennessee will host Tennessee Tech Saturday at noon EDT at Neyland Stadium.

Several players for Tennessee Tech were high school stars in the Knoxville area.

Many were all-state performers and state champions during their respective careers. Seven players with East Tennessee ties are on the Golden Eagles’ 2021 roster.

Those players include: Tanner Shiver, Ashton Maples, Xavier Washington, Pierce Hammonds, Bryson Garrett, Hunter Barnhart and Tavin Kilpatrick.

Tennessee Tech freshman wide receivers Ashton Maples and Tanner Shiver played for Maryville, one of the state’s powerhouse programs.

Both Maples and Shriver played on the Rebels’ 2019 Class 6A state championship team.

Maryville’s Ashton Maples (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against on Friday, August 30, 2019. © Saul Young/News Sentinel, Knoxville News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Knoxville Central’s Xavier Washington (3) before the start of the game against Henry County in the Class 5A BlueCross Bowl at Tucker Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018. © Saul Young/News Sentinel

Washington, a sophomore linebacker, played at Knoxville Central High School. During his time with the Bobcats, he recorded 244 tackles, five interceptions and four forced fumbles. He also won a Class 5A state championship with the Bobcats.

Hammonds, a freshman running back and graduate of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, finished his high school career with 1,510 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, while playing for both the Highlanders and Christ School in North Carolina.

Garrett a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman for Tennessee Tech, played at Karns High School where he was a two-time all-region performer for the Beavers and head coach Brad Taylor.

Hunter Barnhart, a freshman tight end, played at Oneida High School for head coach Tony Lambert.

Barnhart was a two-way player for the Indians at tight end and linebacker. He helped Oneida post two region runner-up finishes in 2018-19 and reached the state quarterfinals in 2019.

Kilpatrick, a junior tight end, was a star at Greenback High School. He was the Region 2-A Lineman of the Year and a TSWA all-state selection during his career with the Cherokees.