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A Tennessee high school pushed to have a rival player banned.
Gallatin running back Jameer Alexander scored twice in a win over Cookeville this past September. His opponent later pushed to have him banned for the 2026 Tennessee high school football season.
A demand for investigation into Alexander’s eligibility has been made public via an open records request. Cookeville athletic director Adam Kefauver reportedly led the charge.
Eligibility issues have been seen throughout the country over the last few seasons. They’ve led to game forfeitures, player suspensions, head coach firings, and transfer denials.
Cookeville sparked another potential controversy with its push to ban Jameer Alexander.
Jameer Alexander transferred to Gallatin.
That came after a previous transfer to Station Camp, which is also located in Gallatin, Tennessee. Kefauver took issue with Alexander’s eligibility approval. He does not believe the process was handled correctly.
More from Main Street Media:
In a heavily redacted letter received by Main Street Media via an open records request from the TSSAA on Oct. 9, Cookeville Athletic Director Adam Kefauver asked TSSAA Executive Director Mark Reeves for an immediate investigation into the eligibility of Gallatin running back Jameer Alexander…
According to the letter dated Sept. 15, Kefauver’s grounds for investigation included the reported reasoning behind Alexander’s transfer, a hardship waiver misrepresentation and coaching staff confirmation.
In the letter, Kefauver cites TSSAA bylaws that bar a student-athlete’s transfer eligibility after a dismissal, suspension or leaving a school due to disciplinary action.
Alexander spent the preseason with Station Camp. He left in-season to attend the Patricia Brown Virtual Academy, allowing him to play for his zoned school of Gallatin.
Due to his previous transfer, he needed a hardship waiver. It was approved by the THSAA.
Kefauver said the waiver “omitted” critical facts about the student’s enrollment in the virtual school. Why did he leave his previous institution?
I don’t know the reason for Alexander’s transfer. Kefauver suggests it may have been due to suspension, dismissal, or disciplinary action.
Alexander was officially deemed eligible before Gallatin’s fourth game, which came against Cookeville. Four days later, Kefauver’s request for an investigation was sent.
Gallatin beat its Tennessee high school football rival.
The two schools are located about an hour and a half apart in Middle Tennessee. Gallatin is 30 miles northeast of Nashville. Cookeville is another 75 miles east.
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A map of Middle Tennessee showing Gallatin and Cookeville High Schools.
Both compete at the 6A level in Region 4. They met for their annual rivalry on September 11th.
Gallatin entered undefeated at 3-0. Cookeville was 1-2. The Green Wave got an offensive boost with the addition of Jameer Alexander to the lineup. He didn’t disappoint.
The running back rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns. The performance helped his team pull out a 21-14 victory.
He’s since run for another 243 yards over the last three games, which also include a win over former school Station Camp.
After the loss, Cookeville pushed to have Alexander barred. The athletic director does not believe the transfer should be eligible. It does not look like his request will be heard. Alexander remains available to play.
Gallatin is now 6-1 with a matchup against a highly rated Beech team looming. Cookeville is 2-5 and will next play Farragut.