The Tigers are the most historic team in the state, and enter their 100th year with high expectations, with a new coaching staff led by a state championship coach in Lenny Gregory, and a new offense (spread) that is unprecedented for the Tigers. The bar is high, and this young group is aiming to launch above it.
Head Coach: Lenny Gregory (1st Season)
2024 Record: 8-4; State Rnd 2
“It’s Commerce,” says coach Lenny Gregory. “The expectations and standards are very high. Anything less than exceptional won’t cut it. Everyone these days is chasing a state championship, and the Tigers will also.”
2025 SCHEDULE – COMMERCE
Personnel & Schemes
Key Departures: Jaiden Daniels, Tysean Wiggins, Jermiah Mintz, Jacari Huff, Mac Mullis, Michael Duncan, Braxton Epps
Returning Starters: 1 on offense; 3 on defense
Key Returning Players: Ty Sorrells (WR/DB), Jace Lyle (RB/DB), Caden McWilliams (LB), Jude Forrester (OL/DL)
Up & Coming Players: Layden Bryson (JR QB transfer from Athens Christian), Esssien Lockleer, Demarco Huff, Zymir Huff, Jeremiah Jarrells
“Demarco might be the best 9th-grader I’ve ever coached,” says Gregory.
Offense: Spread
Layden Bryson is an experienced QB and will lead Commerce into a new offense. He will have Jace Lyle and Demarco Huff in the backfield to tote the rock, and Ty Sorrells, Essien Lockleer, and Brennan Griffith will lead the receiving room, along with Jeremiah Jarrells.
“I was told it would be tough to get Commerce to pass and catch, but it’s been quite the opposite,” says Gregory. “We have very explosive and athletic kids, and it’s been a great summer adjusting to the new look. We’ve been doing the 7-on-7s, finishing in the Final 4 at Auburn and in the Corky Kell.”
Defense: 3-4
“Caden McWilliams is the heartbeat of the defense,” says Gregory. “He’s our main edge rusher from the OLB position. Jeremiah Jarrells and Jace Lyle will lead the secondary. We’ve got a lot of athletic guys that are really intelligent on that side of the ball.”
Trenches: “Jude Forrester will anchor the lines as the returning starter,” adds Gregory. “Jackson Brown is another key guy in the trenches. Outside of being young, these are tough, coachable guys. On the D-line, Bronc Cash (SO) will be a really good player as well.”
Strengths & Areas of Focus
Strengths: Skill position players
“A lot of talent here, and what we do is try to fit what we do to the skillsets of our players,” adds Gregory.
Focusing On: “Youth is our biggest hurdle,” admits Gregory. “We lost a great senior class. We’ll start lots of sophomores and juniors. We are just really young.”
