Whitehaven's Malik Dean Named Player of the Week
The Memphis Touchdown Club honored the Whitehaven High cornerback ahead of the team's state playoff opener.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Memphis Touchdown Club named Whitehaven senior Malik Dean its Player of the Week. Dean, a three-star cornerback committed to the University of Memphis, was recognized at an event with Memphis head coach Charles Huff as special guest.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights a local standout as Whitehaven prepares for postseason play. It also spotlights a Memphis-area prospect connected to the University of Memphis program.
Whitehaven finished the regular season 7-2 and enters the TSSAA Class 6A state playoffs as the No. 2 seed. Dean is rated a three-star recruit at cornerback.
The players
Malik Dean
Whitehaven High School senior cornerback and three-star recruit committed to the University of Memphis.
Charles Huff
University of Memphis head football coach who attended the event as special guest.
The details
Dean was honored at a Memphis Touchdown Club event with Coach Charles Huff attending as special guest. Whitehaven opens the state playoffs Friday against Bartlett.
Timeline
Published November 2, 2026, the Player of the Week recognition was announced.
Friday: Whitehaven faces Bartlett in the opening round of the TSSAA Class 6A state playoffs.
Season Trajectory
Whitehaven's 7-2 regular season and No. 2 seeding position it as a contender in the TSSAA Class 6A bracket. Its Friday opener against Bartlett begins a single-elimination path to the state title.
Whitehaven's seeding and Friday opener set the path through the Class 6A bracket. Dean's recognition raises local attention on the Tigers' postseason run.
The takeaway
Local recognition of standout players often follows strong regular seasons, and Whitehaven's 7-2 record has put it in position for a deep state run.
What happens next
Whitehaven faces Bartlett in the TSSAA Class 6A state playoff opener on Friday.
Further reading
Explore more Memphis football coverage for local high school and college updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox13.
