Top 20 Athletics & Sports from Nashville on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Total Athletics & Sports Influencers in Nashville, United States of America

953

Expected Reach

11.8M

Total Followers

47.3M

Avg Engagement

5.05%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female34%
Male66%

Age Distribution

25-3438.0%
18-2425.7%
35-4419.3%
45-547.7%

Top Countries

United States of America59.6%
Brazil5.0%
United Kingdom2.6%
India2.6%
Canada2.5%

Top Languages

en80.0%
es5.8%
pt5.4%

Top Cities

Nashville4.0%
Los Angeles1.7%
New York1.0%
Atlanta0.8%
New York City0.7%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Thomas W. Hawthorne III
@thomasthee3rd
I’m 10 years old. Born with a rare bone condition "Osteogenesis Imperfecta" Each laugh is a small dose of healing!🤗 Collab? 📧Thomasthee3rd@gmail.com
Nashville, United States of America
284.2K
Followers
0.90%
Engagement
+17.2%(+41.8K)
4.8
2
danny G
@dannygofficial1
👩‍🚀 @breadbasket303
Nashville, United States of America
644.3K
Followers
3.07%
Engagement
+4.9%(+30.3K)
5.7
3
ava nucci 🦋
@ava.nucci
John 8:12 🤍 @avanuccisoccer_ @hailstatesoc @msstate
Nashville, United States of America
710.4K
Followers
5.48%
Engagement
+4.0%(+27.5K)
7.7
4
Lorena Sarbu Crabel
@lorenasarbu
Lorena's personal #lorenasworld & her team | Fashion designs for a contemporary woman with impeccable style. Tennis,art, lifestyle #lorenasarbu
Nashville, United States of America
503.6K
Followers
2.07%
Engagement
+2.9%(+14.4K)
2.8
5
Riyan Rodriguez 🇲🇽
@riyrod
Sexi Mexi 🇲🇽 🔥🦩@thepartyanimals #21 🐒🔥 🍌⚾️Professional BananaBall Player ⚾️🍌 ⬇️New Vlogs in 🔗⬇️ agency@crowdsurf.xyz
Nashville, United States of America
80.0K
Followers
2.19%
Engagement
+21.0%(+13.9K)
5.4
6
William Morris Endeavor
@wme
Representing the world’s greatest talent: Books • Brands • Comedy • Digital • Fashion • Film • Food • Music • Public Speaking • Sports • TV • Theater
Nashville, United States of America
214.5K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+6.3%(+12.7K)
4.5
7
Erik Cavanaugh
@erikcavanaugh
Book@ErikCavanaugh.com Rihanna, IPhone, Dolly Parton, Conan Gray, Jimmy Fallon, A24, Megan Thee Stallion, Lady Gaga, John Summit, Starz
Nashville, United States of America
592.4K
Followers
3.75%
Engagement
+2.2%(+12.6K)
6.3
8
Reese Alexiades
@reesealexiades
🍌| @thesavbananas #2 ⭐️| dspander@insightsportsadvisors.com 👑| Helping athletes become champions on and off the field
Nashville, United States of America
118.7K
Followers
3.55%
Engagement
+10.1%(+10.9K)
8.6
9
M a r i a h M o r s e
@mariahkay_12
Certified Personal Trainer | Nutrition Coach @1stphorm athlete @alphalete | mariahkay look good, feel good, do good
Nashville, United States of America
242.6K
Followers
2.58%
Engagement
+4.1%(+9.6K)
6.5
10
Madi Marie
@madi.marie.k
✨Line Dancing, Boots, Fashion 📍Nashville 📧: madimariemarie@gmail.com
Nashville, United States of America
250.4K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+3.4%(+8.3K)
7.0
11
Scott Hamilton
@scotthamilton84
🥇1984 Olympic Champion Founder of @teamscottcares Speaker | Author | Cancer Survivor Proud Husband and Father Link in bio for bookings 🔗
Nashville, United States of America
101.2K
Followers
0.75%
Engagement
+7.1%(+6.7K)
6.8
12
Chase Matthew
@iamchasematthew
I sing songs and make things fast 🚗 💨 — HOLDIN’ IT DOWN TOUR TICKETS ON SALE NOW ChaseMatthewTickets.com
Nashville, United States of America
373.5K
Followers
1.56%
Engagement
+1.5%(+5.5K)
8.4
13
Evan Slaughter
@fit2serve1
Former 11bravo | comedy | pickleball 📍Nashville, TN fit2servemgmt@gmail.com fit2serve.co
Nashville, United States of America
309.3K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+1.8%(+5.5K)
8.2
14
The Divot Dudes
@divotdudes.golf
⛳️Average golf great vibes 🏌️ @adamamclean & @_isaiahconner 👔 Dressed by @getyourwaggleon code “DD10” Podcast: @theaveragegolfclub
Nashville, United States of America
135.9K
Followers
14.71%
Engagement
+3.6%(+4.8K)
8.6
15
Cody Ash
@codyashdrums
KENTUCKY RAISED 🐎 Nashville not by choice📍 Drummer for @jellyroll615 @goporkchopgo JERSEY’S HERE⬇️
Nashville, United States of America
64.0K
Followers
0.46%
Engagement
+7.8%(+4.6K)
8.3
16
Zac Radford
@realzacradford
Jesus follower | Golfer | Nashville
Nashville, United States of America
225.0K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+2.0%(+4.4K)
7.6
17
Zac Brown
@zacbrown
@zacbrownband
Nashville, United States of America
342.1K
Followers
1.72%
Engagement
+1.3%(+4.3K)
7.9
18
Josh Pate
@joshpatecfb
🎙Josh Pate’s College Football Show @espn | @on3 | @yahoosports Merch: patestatematerial.com
Nashville, United States of America
108.9K
Followers
5.95%
Engagement
+4.0%(+4.2K)
8.4
19
George Birge
@georgebirge
ATX // NASH Golfin, Grillin, Couple songs you’ve heard on the 📻 Text me: +1 (615) 813-6824 Pre-save ‘Ride Ride Ride’ ⬇️ @richmgmt.co @recordsco
Nashville, United States of America
216.6K
Followers
0.93%
Engagement
+1.8%(+3.9K)
7.4
20
Anna
@hoop_therapist
Online Courses Now Available⬇️ Hoop Love Coach 💓 Sponsors: @misshoopsalot & @moodhoops use code ‘hooptherapist’ to save 🤑 📍Nashville TN
Nashville, United States of America
277.6K
Followers
0.06%
Engagement
+1.4%(+3.9K)
5.8

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Nashville with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Athletics & Sports content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 11.8M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 47.3M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 5.05% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 953 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: United States of America, Brazil, United Kingdom
  • Gender Distribution: 34% Female, 66% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (38% of audience)
  • Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Athletics & Sports niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Nashville on Instagram?

Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) is, as of May 2026, the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Nashville on Instagram, with +17.2% monthly growth (+41.8K followers).

How many followers did Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) gain last month?

Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) gained about 41.8K followers last month (+17.2%).

Who grew more: Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) or danny G (@dannygofficial1)?

Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) grew more than danny G (@dannygofficial1) (41.8K vs 30.3K).

How is danny G (@dannygofficial1) performing right now?

danny G (@dannygofficial1) is growing at +4.9% (+30.3K) per month, with a Profile Score of 5.7 and average engagement of 3.07%.

How is ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci) performing right now?

ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci) is growing at +4.0% (+27.5K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.7 and average engagement of 5.48%.

How is Lorena Sarbu Crabel (@lorenasarbu) performing right now?

Lorena Sarbu Crabel (@lorenasarbu) is growing at +2.9% (+14.4K) per month, with a Profile Score of 2.8 and average engagement of 2.07%.

How is Riyan Rodriguez 🇲🇽 (@riyrod) performing right now?

Riyan Rodriguez 🇲🇽 (@riyrod) is growing at +21.0% (+13.9K) per month, with a Profile Score of 5.4 and average engagement of 2.19%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: danny G (@dannygofficial1) or ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci)?

danny G (@dannygofficial1) leads (4.9% vs ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci) 4.0%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd)?

Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) gained about 41.8K followers last month (+17.2%).

What is the absolute follower gain of danny G (@dannygofficial1)?

danny G (@dannygofficial1) gained about 30.3K followers last month (+4.9%).

What is the absolute follower gain of ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci)?

ava nucci 🦋 (@ava.nucci) gained about 27.5K followers last month (+4.0%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Lorena Sarbu Crabel (@lorenasarbu)?

Lorena Sarbu Crabel (@lorenasarbu) gained about 14.4K followers last month (+2.9%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Riyan Rodriguez 🇲🇽 (@riyrod)?

Riyan Rodriguez 🇲🇽 (@riyrod) gained about 13.9K followers last month (+21.0%).

Is Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Thomas W. Hawthorne III (@thomasthee3rd) has a Profile Score of 4.8, average engagement of 0.90%, and +17.2% (+41.8K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Athletics & Sports in United States of America?

The average engagement rate for this category is 5.05%. Generally, rates above 6.1% are considered excellent, while rates above 4.0% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Nashville?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.