There was no shortage of area football players signing to play at the next level on Wednesday.
Oak Grove had an additional seven players sign letters of intent after previously having seven others sign this past December.
"As a whole, this senior class worked extremely hard and had a lot of talent. They did a lot of great things for us that we will always remember," Oak Grove coach Drew Causey said. "It's pretty cool to have 14 total signs."
Oak Grove's class included three offensive linemen who were Aidan Bordelon (Mississippi College), Glenn Hartfield (East Mississippi CC) and Josh Myers (Pearl River CC), along with running back Tajii Burkett (East Mississippi CC) linebacker Alandez Blaylock (Mississippi College), defensive lineman Dion Barber (Jones College) and wide receiver Nehemiah Taylor (Hinds CC).
"Aidan Bordelon was a heck of a player for us," Causey said. "He was the starting center and did a great job. Glenn Hartfield was our starting center and had a tremendous career for us. Josh Myers came on this year and was probably the strongest kid on our team. I think his upside is huge."
Burkett split time at running back and wide receiver as he recorded 1,116 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. Taylor recorded 28 catches for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Blaylock racked up 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and three fumble recoveries. Barber put up 41 tackles, eight pass deflections, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
"Alandez Blaylock, I think, is one of the most underrated guys that was on our team all year," Causey said. "He's very talented and did a lot of great things for us. Dion Barber is going to Jones, and I think that's a great fit for him. Tajii is probably one of the best athletes in the state, but I think he'll go to East Mississippi and do some great things.
"I told somebody about (Nehemiah Taylor) that other guys may have had more stats, but he did all the dirty work and got down into the trenches."
Hattiesburg sent four more players to the next level in addition to Elijah Baker, who signed with Tulane in December.
Running back Tavares Wade, linebacker BJ Mitchell and offensive lineman Antoine Breland all signed with Holmes CC, while Joel Vaughn is heading to Millsaps to play as a tight end.
"Joel is probably one of the smartest kids on the team," Hattiesburg coach Tony Vance said. "He never quit. He never gave up and stuck with it.
"Antoine Breland was the big anchor to our offensive line. It's not every day that you can coach a guy who is 6-foot-6 and can play the way he can. He was always a guy that got better every year."
Wade ran for 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Mitchell accounted for 88 tackles, five forced fumbles and had two fumble recoveries.
"It's a great group of guys," Vance said. "Tavares Wade has been our heart and soul for the last three years. You never had to worry about what he was going to give on the field. He was going to leave it all on the field and give it everything he had.
"You won't find a better person than BJ Mitchell. He was also the heart and soul of our football team. He's another one whose presence on the field we will miss, but also his presence in the locker room. Both of those guys were the leaders that we needed each and every day."
Presbyterian Christian also had two athletes sign, with quarterback Cannon Crowder choosing Jones College and running back Ojay Lesure signing with Ottawa University.
This past year, Crowder threw for 1,744 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 281 yards and seven touchdowns. Lesure posted 390 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns.
Two Sumrall players also opted to stay close to home, with offensive lineman Brodie Bass and wide receiver William Hodges both signing with Jones College.
"They are two outstanding young men who have worked extremely for this opportunity," Sumrall coach Shannon White said. "They are excellent students. The play multiple sports and are leaders in our school. I think they have bright futures."
Petal also had two players sign on Wednesday which were defensive back Skylar Husband and wide receiver Davan Forest. Husband will be heading to Southwest Mississippi CC, while Forest signed with the University of Saint Mary.
Notably, the Panthers also signed Cayden Burger this past December with Holmes CC.
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