Per usual, the Pine Belt area sent its fair share of players to play at the next level on National Signing Day last Wednesday.
Oak Grove had another double-digit class with 11 total players signing to play college football.
“They are a bunch of great kids that have worked really hard,” Oak Grove coach Drew Causey said. “They have accomplished a ton at Oak Grove, especially on the football field. One of the best things about them is that they all have really great character. They do well in the classroom as well as on the field. That’s one of the most important things is the way they handle themselves on and off the field. For a group that won three south state championships in a row, a state championship, and the first undefeated team in school history, that’s going to be hard to top. It gives the guys behind them something to shoot for and to try and reach that same type of goal.”
Pearl River Community College signee Michael Owens signed as a kicker after finishing 12-for-12 in field goals this season.
“It was close to home, and all the coaches were really great people,” Owens said. “I feel like we have an opportunity to do really good. Pearl River is going to be No. 1.
“We grew up hearing about Oak Grove high school football, and you come to the games when you are younger, then having the chance to play for Oak Grove and win a state championship with Oak Grove means a lot.”
Oak Grove’s class included Tyson Thibodeaux (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC), Raheem Fairly (Coahoma CC), Owens (PRCC), Darrian King (East Mississippi CC), Josh Ratliff (Mississippi Delta CC), Donovan Allen (Holmes CC), Courtland Harris (East Central CC) (Taurese Sibley (PRCC), Keon Pryor (MGCCC) and Dazerick Patton (Milsaps).
At Hattiesburg, coach Tony Vance has now had 57 players sign to play at the college level since he took over the program eight years ago.
“What a great opportunity for them and their families,” Vance said. “Anytime you have the opportunity to further your playing career and get school paid for is a great reward for these young men and their families. We are so thankful and appreciate the type of young men that they have been and represented our program.”
Hattiesburg running back Jaquez Andrews also chose PRCC. Like many players across the country, Andrews was grateful to get the opportunity to play college football since scholarships were not as abundant compared to past years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a blessing,” Andrews said. “I didn’t think I was going to get the opportunity with everything that has happened and everyone coming back to their teams because of COVID. It was difficult talking to coaches. Luckily PRCC told me that I would be to able play.”
Walton Thompson signed as a two-sport athlete for Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.
“I’m very excited to continue playing baseball and football,” Thompson said. “I’ve been wanting to play in college all my life, and to have that opportunity to play is a blessing for me. I’m excited to get up there and start.
“I was hoping to do both all along. If I had to choose one or the other, I don’t know which one I would have chosen. I’m just glad that I get to do both.”
Along with Andrews and Thompson, Hattiesburg signees featured Jordan Willis (Holmes), Braxton Bolton (Holmes), Tomacio Robinson (PRCC) and Markwan Perkins (Southwest Mississippi CC)
Petal also signed four other players along with Jeremiah Robinson, who signed with Southern Miss in the fall.
Petal’s signees included Jackson Allen (Northwest Mississippi CC, Jonathan Harris (MGCCC), Micah Cherry (PRCC) and Kaden Dukes (Olivet Nazarene University).
For Allen, who spent one season at Petal, the decision to choose NWCC was because of their past success at the quarterback position.
“Northwest just won the juco national championship,” Allen said. “Every quarterback there has signed D-I at a given point. I looked at the big picture and they had the biggest platform in junior college football to get me to where I want to go.”
For Petal coach Marcus Boyles, who recently retired, the group’s leadership was key in the Panthers’ success this past season.
“Their leadership has been very special, and that’s not counting the wins and all that,” Boyles said. “The leadership these guys have brought by coming to work and a fun group to be around. You enjoy coaching them. I think all of them are ready (for the next level). I think we have laid a good foundation. These guys are athletically gifted and also work hard at it. I think that’s going go a long way.
“I think they will all fit in with each of the places they are going. I’m excited to see what the future brings for those guys.”
Presbyterian Christian also had Marquis Crosby and Cameron Shaw finalize their decisions.
Crosby, the state’s single-season rushing record holder, signed with Louisiana Tech.
“I feel like that was the best place for me,” Crosby said. “I just want to go up there and make an impact. They have been talking to me since the 10th grade so I just want to stay loyal to them since they stayed loyal to me. “
However, Crosby, who officially signed in the fall, chose to wait and do his signing ceremony and with his teammates in the spring.
“I would say (Crosby) is probably the most highly underrated prospect in America,” White said. “In a non-COVID year and a non-injury year, I think we talk about him everywhere in the country. God’s plan is bigger than all of us. I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll go to LA Tech and have a tremendous career. I’m so proud of how humble he is. He signed in December, but he wanted to wait on his teammates to announce and share that moment with them. I think that speaks to the selfless leader he is, and I’m just so excited for him.”
Shaw is also joining several other area players as he signed with PRCC.
“Cam is going through a year where there aren’t scholarships out there,” White said. “The sky is the limit.
“I think there is going to be a lot of people upset that they missed out. Cam’s best days of football are ahead of them. We are excited to see him showcase his skills.”
Lumberton’s Robert Henry and Markees Johnson signed with Jones College while K’nylan Willis signed with MGCCC. Purvis’ Kade Sherrill also sign with PRCC.
