By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City’s ‘Big Fella’ is racking up some big honors.
Kelan Roberson, the Tornadoes’ hulking 6-foot-4, 325-pound standout lineman, has been named to both the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and Tennessee Football Coaches Association Class 1A All-State teams.
Members of the two organizations voted on the honors, selecting teams for all public and private school classifications.
Roberson – who was also chosen as Region 7A’s Best Linemen and picked to participate in the prestigious annual East-West All-Star Classic – was dominant in the trenches for the Purple and Gold in the last of his four stellar prep seasons, during which he played both guard and tackle.
The three-time All-Region selection anchored an offensive group that paved the way for UC to gain more than 325 yards and score more than 39 points per game on average during the team’s march to the 2024 regional championship and a 10-win season.
He helped the run-heavy Tornado option offense produce at least one 1,000-yard rusher in each of his seasons on the high school level, with two UC rushers eclipsing the century mark in two of those years.
“I didn’t have goals or think about individual things during the season, but these are two really nice honors,” Roberson said. “This caps off my high school career in a great way.”
Roberson also was a force defensively for the Purple and Gold, despite being constantly double-teamed in the middle this past season, He recorded 35 tackles – four of those stops behind the line – and had a pair of quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.
He was the first UCHS player selected to play in the East-West Classic in more than a decade. During his four-year prep career, Roberson was part of 36 Golden Tornado victories, including six in the state playoffs.
He was one of just five offensive linemen selected for both teams in Class 1A.
Roberson is exploring next-level opportunities and has college campus visits set for Austin Peay and UT Martin in the near future after already checking out the University of North Alabama earlier. Middle Tennessee State University could also be in the mix.
“I’ll do what’s best for me and my family,” he said. “My mom has always been my go-to person, and I’ll certainly seek guidance from her.”
TSWA Class 1A All-State
OFFENSE
QB – Tate Surber, McKenzie, Sr.
QB – Nate Adams, Clay County, Sr.
QB – Brody Whittaker, MASE, Sr.
RB – Grayson Kreis, Harriman, Sr.
RB – JaMychal Buckner, South Pittsburg, Jr.
RB – Marquis Gardner, Chattanooga Prep, Jr.
WR – Cole Brown, McKenzie, So.
WR – Nolan Adams, Clay County, Jr.
WR – Ja’Quan Benton, Oliver Springs, Jr.
OL – Mason Smith, Coalfield, Sr.
OL – Jamarkus Pittman, MASE, Sr.
OL – Kelan Roberson, Union City, Sr.
OL – Noah Young, Cloudland, Sr.
OL – Aydan Blair, Moore County, Sr.
OL – Xavier Reviere, South Pittsburg, Jr.
ATH – Amari Cotton, Jo Byrns, Sr.
K – Skyler Fornera, McKenzie, Sr.
TNFCA All State
Class 1A
Offense
Quarterbacks: Nate Adams, Clay Co.; Dayon Cooper, South Pittsburg; Tate Surber, McKenzie.
Running backs: Ja’Mychal Buckner, South Pittsburg; Luke DiPietro, Dresden; Kaleb Snitzer, Eagleville.
Wide receivers/tight ends: Nolan Adams, Clay Co.; Cole Brown, McKenzie; Lance Burchett, Clay Co.; Jake Sands, Richland.
Offensive linemen: Aydan Blair, Moore Co.; Bret Corn, Cosby; Kelan Roberson, Union City; Logan Sisk, South Pittsburg; Noah Young, Cloudland.