Tyreek King goes to Tennessee football and Chaz Smith to Notre Dame at National Signing Day on Dec. 3
The East Tennessee Catholic
Knoxville Catholic football players (from left) Tyreek King, Chaz Smith, Issiaga Yattara, and Gavin Jones signed with universities on Dec. 3.
Two four-star football recruits from Knoxville Catholic High School—who happen to be cousins—signed with major-college programs in December, each having committed to the teams in 2024.
Tyreek King, a 5-foot-11 wide receiver, signed with the University of Tennessee, and Chaston (Chaz) Smith, a 6-1 cornerback, did the same with the University of Notre Dame.
Both players made it official on National Signing Day on Dec. 3 in a ceremony held in the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium at KCHS.
Joining them were Fighting Irish teammates Gavin Jones, a 6-1 linebacker, who signed with the Ivy League’s Brown University, and 6-4 offensive lineman Issiaga Yattara, now headed for Austin Peay State University.
Seven KCHS athletes in other sports signed with colleges in a ceremony held Nov. 12 in the school auditorium.
Tyreek was among the top prep wide receivers in the country and the No. 2 recruit from Tennessee, according to ESPN and Rivals. He compiled 1,000 receiving yards each year in his sophomore through senior seasons at Knoxville Catholic. He committed to UT in October 2024, choosing the Volunteers over 30 other Division I programs. He was among area leaders as a senior with 1,085 receiving yards and 11 TD receptions.
Chaz has been committed to Notre Dame since December of last year. He made 87 tackles as the Fighting Irish compiled a 6-5 record this season, ending their campaign in the Division II, Class AAA quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
KCHS athletes (from left) Nadalie Bellinghausen, Lauren Murphy, Kacey Holliday, Cade Murphy, Malachi Brown, Carter Muth, and J.R. Fowler signed in the school’s first ceremony this fall.
On Nov. 12, KCHS’s Nadalie Bellinghausen signed with Lincoln Memorial University in lacrosse, Lauren Murphy with Anderson University in tennis, Kacey Holliday with Campbell University in cross country and track, Cade Murphy with Eastern Kentucky University in basketball, Malachi Brown with the University of Michigan in basketball, Carter Muth with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in baseball, and J.R. Fowler with the University of Houston in track and field.
Mr. Football Awards
Athletes from Knoxville Catholic High School and from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga were finalists for the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards given this month.
Tyreek was among the three finalists in Division II-AAA. David Gabriel Georges of Baylor was named the winner.
Notre Dame place kicker Owen Maddox was a finalist for Mr. Football kicker of the year. The kicking-award finalists were narrowed down to three from all kickers across the six Division I enrollment classifications and the three Division II classes. Tommy Bauchiero of Brentwood Academy won the kicking honor.
The Mr. Football Awards were presented on Dec. 9 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.