Legacy and Leadership
Marlee Watts, a senior offensive tackle for Alcoa High School, stands as the only returning starter on the team's offensive line, a position that has become the cornerstone of the program's recent dominance.
Coach Brian Nix has repeatedly highlighted Watts, calling him one of the best linemen the program has ever produced and emphasizing his impact on the field.
Alcoa's football team has etched its name into Tennessee history with eleven consecutive TSSAA state championships, a streak that Watts is determined to extend.
Beyond his own performance, Watts has taken on the role of mentor, guiding a group of younger linemen and skill players as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The team's arsenal includes quarterback Thomas Manu, who burst onto the scene with 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns in his first year as starter, and receiver Jamir Dean, who recently committed to the University of Georgia after a brief pledge to Penn State.
Three returning rushers — Condis Cherry, De'Mauri DuBose and Micah Jones — each surpassed the 600‑yard mark last season, adding depth to the offense.
Alcoa will open its schedule against Maryville on August 21, a game that will showcase Watts as the only returning starter on the line and test the new chemistry among the skill positions.
Watts has set personal milestones, aiming to earn three‑time All‑State honors and has attracted recruiting interest from South Florida, Dartmouth and Tennessee State, while also holding offers from Texas Tech.
In a candid moment, Coach Nix mused that if he could clone any player, he would choose Watts, underscoring the senior's irreplaceable value to the program.