a message from the president Students, Fans, Alumni, On behalf of Northeast Mississippi Community College, welcome to the greatest institution in the United States! Here at NEMCC, we have a tradition in all sports of exhibiting not only a championship atmosphere, but one of class, integrity, and professionalism. We are proud of the student-athletes that have chosen to attend Northeast. We are thankful each of you have chosen to attend this athletic event. While our students are here, our goal is to provide opportunities of personal growth through cutting edge instruction in the classroom and athletic programs. Northeast recognizes that its primary commitment is to the education of our student-athlete.
board of trustees
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VANCE WITT
CHRISTIE HOLLY
KATHY SHAPPLEY
CHIARMAN Tenure of Service: 2001 Tishomingo County Banker
VICE-CHIARMAN Tenure of Service: 2014 Tishomingo County Superintendent of Edu.
SECRETARY Tenure of Service: 2016 Tippah County Retired Educator
JOHN ANDERSON
KEN BASIL
LARRY GREENE
Tenure of Service: 2016 Alcorn County Educator
Tenure of Service: 2008 Union County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 2022 Tishomingo County Retired Educator
DOUGLAS JACKSON
SAM MCCOY
LARRY MITCHELL
Tenure of Service: 1995 Tippah County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 1988 Prentiss County Businessman
Tenure of Service: 2016 Alcorn County Retired Educator
KATIE MORELAND
LONNIE MURPHY
MATT MURPHY
Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Educator
Tenure of Service: 2020 Union County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 2024 Prentiss County Businessman
BUBBA POUNDS
BRANDON QUINN
LUZENE TRIPLETT
Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
Tenure of Service: 2026 Alcorn County Superintendent of Edu.
Tenure of Service: 2002 Prentiss County Retired Educator
Northeast was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Receiving this coveted honor exhibits to the world our commitment to cutting edge technology within our instructional process. I hope you will have time prior to or after this athletic event to walk or drive around our campus and get a small glance at what we have to offer. You are welcome to visit anytime with our students, faculty, and staff. We are happy to have each of you as part of the Northeast family. Please feel free to contact me should the need ever arise. As you leave campus after this event, we wish you the very best and safe travels. Sincerely,
Dr. Ricky G. Ford Northeast Mississippi Community College President
welcome special guests MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS Northeast is honored to present its annual military appreciation night and first responders night. Northeast has created a veterans pass, which admits the bearer into any on-campus activity free of charge. For more information on this service for our military heroes, contact the office of the president at 662-720-7200 or by email at mwdevaughn@nemcc.edu.
TIPPAH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS Northeast proudly welcomes Tippah County high school juniors and seniors to Tippah County Night! Enjoy the game, explore our campus, and consider joining the Tiger family after graduation. Welcome and as always...Go Tigers!
TIGER FOOTBALL SOPHOMORES Northeast proudly congratulates our Tiger Football sophomores as they gear up for the season opener, wishing them an incredible final season and endless success in all their future endeavors!
football coaching staff GREG DAVIS
STEADMAN CAMPBELL
SEAN CANNON
COLE ROTENBERRY
CEDRIC SHELL
TREVOR STIGERS
DALLAS PAYNE
Head Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator
Wide Recievers Coach
Linebackers Coach
Defensive Line Coach
Running Backs/Tight Ends Coach
athletic Support staff KENT FARRIS
BRENDA MAYES
Athletic Director
Assistant Athletic Director
BLAKE LONG
RYAN MORELAND
Sports Information Director Sports Information Specialist
JAY DAUBENBERGER Athletic Content Creator
CHASITY MOORE
KAMERON TALLEY
ANNA BOLTON
DANIELLE ASHLEY
CADEN MITCHELL
Cheerleading Coach
Assistant Cheer Coach
Head Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
JODY PRESLEY
CARTER SMITH
NEMCCTV “Voice of the Tigers” NEMCCTV “Voice of the Tigers”
BRADI INGRAM
ERICA MILLER
LEIGH TRELOAR
Student-Athlete Success Coach Student-Athlete Success Coach Student-Athlete Success Coach
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HEAD COACH Greg Davis
(12th year - Texas Christian University)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Steadman Campbell (3rd year - University of Arkansas)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Sean Cannon
(4th year - Delta State University)
LINBACKERS COACH Cedric Shell
(9th year - Alcorn State University)
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Trevor Stigers
(2nd year - Mississippi State University)
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Cole Rotenberry
(6th year - Mississippi College)
RUNNING BACKS/ TIGHT ENDS COACH Dallas Payne
(1st year - University of Alabama Birmingham)
PRESIDENT
Dr. Ricky Ford
(12th year- Mississippi State University)
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Kent Farris
(12th year- University of North Alabama)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Brenda Mayes
(5th year - University of North Alabama)
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Blake Long
(14th year - University of Mississippi)
SPORTS INFORMATION SPECIALIST Ryan Moreland
(6th year - Mississippi State University)
ATHLETIC CONTENT CREATOR Jay Daubenberger
(2nd year - Florida Gulf Coast University)
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING Anna Bolton
(4th year - University of Alabama)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Danielle Ashley
(3rd year - University of Alabama)
Caden Mitchell (1st year - xxx)
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2026 NORTHEAST FOOTBALL ROSTER
#
NAME
CLASS POSITION
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
HOMETOWN
HIGH SCHOOL
0.............Antonio Parker...........................SO................ DB................. 6’0”............... 185............................St Louis, Mo................................... Cardinal Ritter 1..............Jakari Brown...............................FR.................DL...................6’3”............... 215..........................Sylacauga., Ala. ....................................B.B. Comer 1..............Jeremiah Thomas ....................FR................WR.................. 6’1”................ 170.......................... Odenville, Ala...............................St. Clair County 2.............Xae Mayes ...................................FR................ QB..................6’2”................170........................... Corinth, Miss........................................Biggersville 3.............Micah Pledger ..........................FR.................RB..................5’10”............... 185............................. Jasper, Ala.................................................... Jasper 4.............Glen Singleton ...........................SO.................RB...................5’8”................ 175........................... Madison, Miss. ............................Madison Central 5.............Brodey Whittaker......................FR................ QB..................6’2”............... 220.........................Hernando, Miss................................................. MASE 5.............Zay Fox.........................................SO................ DB.................. 6’1”................ 185......................Calhoun City, Miss. ............................. Calhoun City 6.............Isaiah Cobbs ..............................SO................WR..................5’9”............... 175...........................Munford, Tenn..............................................Munford 7.............Charles Stevenson....................SO................WR..................5’9”............... 175........................Hattiesburg, Miss. ................................... Oak Grove 7.............Torell Henderson.......................SO.................LB..................5’10”.............. 205.............................Sardis, Miss......................................South Panola 8.............Jalen Spikes ...............................SO................ DB.................5’10”............... 195............................. Nebit, Miss...................................DeSoto Central 9.............Kelvin Walker..............................SO................WR.................5’10”...............180........................ Coldwater, Miss................................Independence 10...........Kevin Kirklin................................SO.................LB.................. 6’0”...............225.........................Lexington, Miss..............Holmes County Central 11.............Jerone Baskin.............................SO.................LB...................6’2”................ 215..........................Columbus, Miss....................................... New Hope 12............Brooks Wallis..............................SO.................TE ................. 6’0”............... 215........................... Brandon, Miss. ........................ Northwest Rankin 13............Justin White ...............................FR................WR................. 6’4”.............. 205....................... Cedar Bluff, Miss..................................... West Point 14...........Colt Whitacre.............................FR..............QB/P................ 6’1”................ 170........................West Point, Miss. ................................... West Point 15............Jaki Holmes.................................SO................WR..................6’2”................180.............................Ripley, Miss. ..................................................Ripley 15............Jayden Williams .......................SO.................DL...................6’2”............... 240........................ Booneville, Miss. ..................................... Booneville 16...........Adam Greer.................................SO................ DB................. 6’0”............... 185.........................Kosciusko, Miss........................................ Kosciusko 17............Xavier Thomas ..........................FR.................LB...................6’2”................190.....................Mound Bayou, Miss......................................Northside 18...........Merrit Moon.................................SO................WR.................5’10”............... 195.........................Columbus, Miss....................................... New Hope 19...........Jeb Bolen.....................................SO................ DB................. 6’0”............... 185.......................New Albany, Miss..................................New Albany 20..........Trey Wallace ...............................FR................ DB.................5’10”............... 175.......................Olive Branch, Miss............................DeSoto Central 21............Jermil Jeffries ............................FR.................LB.................. 6’0”.............. 220............................Tupelo, Miss. ................................................Tupelo 22...........Zay Hubbard...............................SO................ DB................. 6’0”............... 185.........................Tuscaloosa, Ala...................................... Russellville 23...........Raiyen Oatis................................SO................ DB................. 6’0”............... 185....................Denham Springs, La...........................Donaldsonville 24..........Miles Foster ...............................FR................ DB..................5’9”...............180......................Olive Branch, Miss..................................... Center Hill 25...........Ja’Maree Thomas .....................FR................ DB.................5’10”............... 195............................. Tampa, Fla.................................................. Warton 26.......... Andrew Winfun.......................FR.................RB.................. 5’11”.............. 205............................Belden, Miss................................North Pontotoc 27...........Mincer Minor...............................SO................ DB................. 5’11”...............160.........................Vicksburg, Miss. ...................................... Vicksburg 28..........Desmond Ball.............................FR................ DB................. 5’11”............... 175......................... Clarksdale, Miss. ..................................... Clarksdale 29..........Dee Bingham..............................SO.................RB...................5’9”............... 195............................Maben, Miss..................................... East Webster 30..........Ben Gault.....................................SO.................SN..................5’10”.............. 200............................ Amory, Miss...................................................Amory 32...........Shane Farmer ...........................FR.................LB...................6’3”.............. 205......................Calhoun City, Miss................................ Calhoun City 34..........Rokari Covington .....................FR.................LB..................5’10”............... 185.........................Kosciusko, Miss........................................ Kosciusko 35...........Aidan Taylor................................FR.................LB................... 6’1”............... 220.....................Diamondhead, Miss. .....................................Hancock 38.......... Jaylen James.............................FR.................DL...................6’5”.............. 205.......................... Jackson, Miss.............................................Callaway 41...........Devin Martin................................FR.................. K................... 6’0”............... 185........................ Coldwater, Miss................................Independence 42..........Daniel Sherman..........................SO.................. P................... 6’0”...............190..........................Flowood, Miss.......................... Northwest Rankin 44..........Tytus Davidson .........................FR.................DL...................6’2”............... 260........................West Point, Miss. ................................... West Point 45..........Cameren Griffin.........................SO.................DL.................. 6’0”.............. 230......................... Batesville, Miss...................................South Panola 50..........Xion Miller ...................................FR.................OL...................6’3”.............. 320..........................Pensacola, Fla...........................................Escambia 52...........Ja’Quavius Jackson .................FR.................OL...................6’2”................275...................... Winstonville, Miss.......................................Northside 53...........Beau Robinson ..........................SO.................OL.................. 6’0”...............265......................Olive Branch, Miss................. Northpoint Christian 54..........Isaiah Respert ..........................FR.................OL...................6’5”.............. 330..................... Warner Robins, Ga..........................................Howard 55...........Ryan Casey ...............................FR.................OL...................6’2”............... 280............................Oxford, Miss. .......................................... Lafayette 56..........Kaleb Barnes ..............................FR.................OL.................. 6’4”.............. 290.........................Tallahassee, Fla............................. Amos P. Godby 64..........Christopher Soriano.................SO.................OL...................6’2”............... 340......................Olive Branch, Miss................. Northpoint Christian 72...........Cameron Watson......................SO.................OL................... 6’1”................255...........................Dundee, Miss...............................Lake Cormorant 73...........Tyler Wallace..............................FR.................OL...................6’2”................285............................. Walls, Miss.................................Lake Cormorant 77...........JP Foley .......................................FR.................OL...................6’5”............... 315.........................Senatobia, Miss......................... Magnolia Heights 81...........Chase Booker.............................SO................WR................. 6’0”...............180.......................Tishomingo, Miss....................Tishomingo County 82..........Charvon Bell................................FR................WR..................5’9”............... 155............................Oxford, Miss............................................ Lafayette 82..........Trell Dorrough ...........................FR................WR..................6’5”.............. 200......................Calhoun City, Miss................................ Calhoun City 83..........Tobias McGee ............................FR................WR..................5’6”............... 170........................ Yazoo City, Miss. .....................................Yazoo City 88..........Lakendric Draper......................FR.................TE ..................6’3”............... 215...........................Batesville,Miss...................................South Panola 89..........Kemarrian Gray..........................SO.................TE ..................6’2”............... 240........................ Tiplersville, Miss.............................................. Walnut 90..........Christian Mays ...........................SO.................DL.................. 6’4”...............285........................... Denver, Colo................................................. McLain 93..........Donovan Hawkins ....................FR.................DL...................6’3”.............. 320............................Tupelo, Miss...................................................Tupelo 94..........J’Cameron Riley .......................SO.................DL...................6’2”............... 320......................... Louisville, Miss........................................ Noxapater 97...........Caden Kilgore ..........................SO.................DL................... 6’1”............... 250............................Tupelo, Miss...................................................Tupelo 98..........Russell Davis ..............................SO.................DL...................6’3”...............285............................ Conyers, Ga.................................................Newton 99..........Elijsah Westbrook.....................SO.................DL...................6’3”.............. 345......................Olive Branch, Miss..................................... Center Hill
2026 EAST CENTRAL FOOTBALL ROSTER #
NAME
POSITION HEIGHT WEIGHT CLASS
HOMETOWN
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
0.............Otavius Hunt................................DB...............5’10............... 190................SO.....................Flowood.............................................. Northwest Rankin 0.............King White....................................QB................ 6’1................205............... FR..................... Madison........................................................ Germantown 1..............Waymond Jenerette Jr........... WR.............. 6’2............... 190................SO.................Rock Hill, SC.......................................... South Pointe (SC) 1..............Jalyas Winters.............................DB................ 6’1................200...............SO................. Philadelphia.............................................Neshoba Central 2.............Mekhi Gaddis............................... RB............... 5’8................ 182................SO................. Philadelphia.............................................Neshoba Central 2.............Kaleb Webster.............................DB............... 5’11............... 195................ FR..................... Decatur....................................................Newton County 3.............Cam Bell........................................DB............... 6’0................175................ FR......................Hickory....................................................Newton County 3.............Omarean Ellis............................... RB............... 6’0............... 195................SO.................... Carthage.............................................Jackson Academy 4.............Brennan Gibson......................... WR.............. 5’9............... 170................SO............ Baton Rouge, LA..................... Port Allen (LA)/Coahoma 4.............Quinterrius Robinson................ LB............... 6’0............... 215................ FR...................Mobile, AL.....................................................................Baker 5.............Pierre Felder................................DB............... 5’11............... 180................ FR..................... Gulfport..................................................................Gulfport 5.............Christian Langford.....................QB................ 6’1................200............... FR..................Atlanta, GA.......................Langston Hughes (GA) /FIU 6.............Duke Mcdougle........................... RB............... 5’11............... 185................ FR....................... Forest..............................................................Sebastopol 6.............Kam Weaver................................. LB............... 6’0...............200............... FR............... Greenville, AL............................................... Andalusia (AL) 7.............Jalen Anderson...........................DB............... 5’9............... 180................SO........................ Biloxi.......................................................................... Biloxi 7.............Dawson Simmons..................... WR.............. 6’0............... 182................ FR.............New Orleans, LA......................... St. Augustine (LA)/UNA 8.............Cordarius Molten....................... WR.............. 6’0............... 190................ FR...................Leakesville.................................................. Greene County 8.............Earl Tillman Jr.............................. LB............... 6’2...............230...............SO................... Amite, LA........................... Amite High Magnet School 9.............William Harris.............................. TE............... 6’4...............220............... FR..................... Madison........................................................ Germantown 9.............Dunt Hye.......................................DB............... 6’0................175................SO...................... Gautier.....................................................................Gautier 10...........Cole Gipson..................................QB............... 6’3...............200............... FR......................Wesson....................................................................Wesson 11.............Caleb Johnson........................... WR.............. 6’0............... 165................SO...................... Morton.....................................................................Morton 11.............Brayden Walsh............................DB............... 6’2............... 185................SO...................... Clinton.......................................... Tri County Academy 12............Tay Reese...................................... LB............... 6’4...............205............... FR...................... Morton.....................................................................Morton 13............Cam Woodard.............................DB............... 6’3............... 180................SO...................... Crosby.................................. Adams County Christian 14...........Brayden Gipson......................... WR.............. 6’2............... 180................ FR.......................Byram.......................................................................... Terry 15............Reuben Bilbrew.......................... LB................ 6’1................200............... FR.....................Flowood.............................................. Northwest Rankin 16...........Byron Pruitt..................................DB............... 5’11............... 185................ FR..................... Decatur....................................................Newton County 17............Clarence Taylor.......................... WR............... 6’1................ 160................ FR............. Birmingham, AL......................................A.H. Parker/EMCC 18...........Cedric Owens Jr........................ WR.............. 5’9............... 160................ FR..................... Natchez..................................................................Natchez 19...........Donovan Shaifer......................... LB............... 6’3............... 210................ FR...................... Clinton..................................................................... Clinton 21............Xavion Kincaid............................DB............... 6’2............... 185................ FR....................... Forest........................................................................Forest 22...........Zie Buckley...................................DB............... 6’2............... 180................ FR........................Union..........................................................................Union 23...........Caleb Day...................................... LB............... 6’2...............240............... FR.................... Itta Bena................................................... Leflore County 24..........Jaivon Wilson.............................. LB............... 6’3...............200............... FR...................Collinsville.............................................. West Lauderdale 25...........Parker McGehee......................... LB................ 6’1................ 225................ FR..................... Madison........................................................ Germantown 26..........Collier Mangum........................... LS................5’10............... 185................SO..................... Decatur....................................................Newton County 27...........Omareus Johnson......................DB............... 6’0............... 180................ FR........................ Pearl........................................................................... Pearl 30..........Hayden McMinn........................... K................. 6’0............... 170................ FR.....................Brandon.............................................Hartfield Academy 32...........Landen Huber............................... K.................. 6’1.................175................SO..................... Decatur....................................................Newton County 33..........Greg Keeton Jr............................ DL................ 6’1................270................ FR....................... Forest........................................................................Forest 40..........Braxton Barney........................... LB............... 6’4...............205...............SO..................... Madison....................................Madison Central/SMCC 42..........Jakobi Ratliff................................ DL................ 6’1................285................ FR..................... Jackson....................................................................Jim Hill 44..........Charles Thomas.......................... DL............... 6’2...............270................ FR................ Anniston, AL............................................................ Anniston 50..........Vez Holman.................................. DL............... 6’2...............270................ FR.........................Weir.....................................................Choctaw County 52...........Eman Hudson.............................. DL...............5’10...............285................ FR................Pine Bluff, AR................................................ Eldorado (AR) 53...........Kailand Stewart...........................OL............... 6’3...............300...............SO.......................Byrum...........................................................................MRA 54..........Xavier Pryor.................................OL............... 6’2...............295................SO................... Horn Lake................................................Lake Cormorant 55...........Eric Williams Jr...........................OL............... 6’4...............305............... FR...................Mobile, AL..............Williamson (AL) /North Alabama 58..........Ben Barnette................................OL............... 6’5...............330............... FR....................Hernando..............................................................Hernando 62..........Eli Sanders....................................OL............... 6’8...............295................ FR................... Columbus...................................................West Lowndes 70..........Austin Stumpf.............................OL............... 6’4...............295................ FR................... Columbus...........................................Heritage Academy 71............Michael Land................................OL............... 5’11...............320............... FR.................... Carthage......................................................Leake Central 72...........Kam’Ron Mitchell.......................OL............... 6’5...............330............... FR...................Mobile, AL........................................ W. P. Davidson (AL) 73...........Shum McMillian...........................OL............... 6’4............... 310................SO...................Mobile, AL................................ Lillie B. Williamson (AL) 75...........Beau Deville.................................OL............... 6’6...............330...............SO................... Woodville............. Wilkinson County Christian Acad. 77...........Carson Bailey...............................OL............... 6’2...............305............... FR................... Jasper, AL.........................................................Jasper (AL) 85..........Devyn Walker.............................. TE............... 6’3............... 210................SO........................ Biloxi................................................................... MS Delta 88..........Grant Keith................................... TE............... 6’3............... 232................ FR..................... Decatur....................................................Newton County 90..........Radarron Leech II....................... DL................ 6’1................330...............SO....................Aberdeen............................................Heritage Academy 92..........Troykee Butler............................. DL............... 6’2...............300...............SO...............Hammond, LA................................................... Ponchatoula 93..........Aidan Davis.................................. DL................ 6’1................290............... FR........................Union..........................................................................Union 96..........RJ Arnold Jr................................. DL............... 6’3...............290............... FR...................... Canton......................................................... Germantown 97...........Reece Quinn................................. DL............... 6’0...............270................ FR.....................Brandon................................................................. Brandon 99..........Bryson Wilson............................. DL............... 6’0...............330...............SO................... Columbus...........................................Heritage Academy
HEAD COACH
Jonathan Webster
CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Parrish Huddleston
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ QUARTERBACKS COACH Devin Fosselman
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH Ben Luther
RUNNING BACKS COACH Tyler Harris
DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH Turner Rotenberry
LINEBACKERS COACH Travor Pratt
PRESIDENT
Dr. Brent Gregory
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Brooks Warren
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Katelyn Gruich Neal Holliman Ethan Paschal
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Landon Rutland
DIRECTOR OF SPORT PERFORMANCE Taylor Quick
ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH Matt Cheatham
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Micah McKee Derrick Jones Jackson Therrien
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SEASON PREVIEW:
TIGERS HOPE CONTINUITY LEADS TO EXTENDED SUCCESS Continuity is one of the biggest determining factors behind sustained success inside a football program. Northeast Mississippi Community College checks that box in multiple ways. The Tigers have balanced their roster with 33 sophomores, which is more than the 2025 edition that extended their stretch of winning seasons to four times in six years. Second, Northeast’s coaching staff remained intact in its entirety from last season. The Tigers actually added to their ranks with the return of former allconference standout Dallas Payne as the new running backs and tight ends instructor. The other assistants include offensive coordinator Steadman Campbell, defensive coordinator Sean Cannon, wide receivers coach Cole Rotenberry, defensive backs coach Cedric Shell and defensive line coach Trevor Stigers. Greg Davis, who begins his 12th year as Northeast’s headman, appreciates the men that surround him on a daily basis as they work together to make the Tigers an annual playoff contender. “I do think that level of consistency matters when it comes to never turning your staff over-and-over,” he said. “They’re a good group of guys. I think the world of them. We’re excited about the whole season.” Northeast will feature several new faces on offense. The line will have five brand new starters with freshmen Kaleb Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.), Ja’Quavius Jackson (Northside), Xion Miller (Pensacola, Fla.) and Isaiah Respert (Warner Robins, Ga.) in the mix. Beau Robinson and Christopher Soriano, who both graduated from Northpoint Christian School, provide much needed experience at center and guard. Respert is a legacy lineman whose dad played center for the University of Tennessee.
6
“Our 10 offensive linemen just don’t have the overall game experience, but they’re not bad football players,” said Davis. “We’re gonna take some lumps, but overall when we do things right we’re as good as we were a year ago. The glue is there. We’ve just gotta put it all together.” Joining them on the line depending on the scheme and formation will be three solid sophomore tight ends in Lakendric Draper (South Panola), Kemarrian Gray (Walnut) and Brooks Wallis (Northwest Rankin). Wallis was the greatest pass catching threat among the group last year with six receptions and a touchdown. Davis trusts the entire trio, but noted the progress that Gray made over the offseason. “Three really good tight ends,” he said. “Brooks probably has the best natural
hands on our team. Lakendric is a bigger kid in stature and runs well. Kemarrian is probably one of the most improved players we’ve had over the course of the last year.” Directing the Tigers from behind center is Xae Mayes (Biggersville), who was the winner of the 2025 Class 1A Mr. Football award presented by the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). He led the Magnolia State across all classifications by averaging nearly 300 yards per game and 40 passing touchdowns. Mayes was also a first-team all-area recipient from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and the Daily Corinthian’s Co-Player of the Year. “He’s a very talented kid that has a strong arm,” said Davis. “He’s got all the
tools. He’s probably bar none the most talented guy we’ve ever had top down at the quarterback position.” Mayes will have more than his fair share of options to distribute the ball to. Among Northeast’s wide receivers are a couple of key transfers in Jaki Holmes (Ripley) and Jeremiah Thomas (Odenville, Ala.). Isaiah Cobbs (Munford, Tenn.) has the most receptions (21) and yards (210) of any returning wideout. Charles Stevenson (Oak Grove), Merrit Moon (New Hope) and Cobbs combined for four touchdowns last fall. Micah Pledger (Jasper, Ala.), who was originally committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), leads the Tigers’ running backs. He participated in the Alabama North-South All-Star Game after twice securing Class 6A all-state laurels from the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA). Glen Singleton (Madison Central) gives Northeast a pair of all-state backs. He earned those honors in Class 7A from the MAC and also suited up in the prestigious Bernard Blackwell AllStar Game after rushing for 21 scores as a senior. The defensive line has probably drawn the most preseason attention with top 50 national prospects Russell Davis (Conyers, Ga.) and Christian Mays (Denver, Colo.) anchoring the front along with J’Cameron Riley (Noxapater). Mays, who is committed to Tennessee, is the number one recruit in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) according to 247Sports. Riley had the second most tackles among the Tigers’ d-linemen one season ago with 19 along with 1.5 sacks. “They’re making our offensive line better because they’re playing against great players every day,” Davis said. “I tell you what, our defensive staff has done a remarkable job. There’s some talented dudes in that group that’s for sure.” Antonio Parker (St. Louis, Mo.) is the top returning tackler for Northeast with 36 stops, including 25 solo takedowns. He and Jeb Bolen (New Albany) tied for the Tigers’ most pass break ups with five apiece.
Bolen will handle one of the two safety slots in the backfield along with Desmond Ball (Clarksdale), Adam Greer (Kosciusko) plus transfers Raiyen Oatis (Denham Springs, La.) and Ja’Maree Thomas (Tampa, Fla.). “The way (Bolen) puts our defensive secondary in the right spot is remarkable,” said Davis. “Our safeties are very solid. All of them had a pretty good camp. They’ve meshed really well and I’m excited about that.” Parker, who came to Northeast last year after signing with Purdue (Ind.) University, guides the corners. He will be accompanied by fellow sophomores Zay Fox (Calhoun City) and Jalen Spikes (DeSoto Central). Jerone Baskin (New Hope), Torell Henderson (South Panola) and Kevin Kirklin (Holmes County Central) are all back at linebacker. They combined for 45 total tackles with Baskin grabbing a clutch interception in the Tigers’ second win of the season. Zay Hubbard (Russellville, Ala.) made the switch from safety to linebacker ahead of his final campaign at Northeast. Rokari Covington (Kosciusko) was a first-team all-state honoree while Jermil Jeffries (Tupelo) was a Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game participant. “It’s a little bit different than last year’s group. This group has a little more natural athleticism,” Davis said. “When they turn it loose, they can run. They’re tough and athletic. We’ll see what we can do.” Ben Gault (Amory) and Daniel Sherman (Northwest Rankin) tag team on the special teams unit once again as long snapper and punter, respectively. Sherman will add place kicking to his list of responsibilities this year as well. Mincer Minor (Vicksburg), Kelvin Walker (Independence), Cobbs, Stevenson and Thomas are all candidates in the return game. Cobbs had a team-best 597 return yards during his freshman campaign. The Tigers start their expanded 10game season with back-to-back home contests against East Central Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College. The division slate opens in week four when Northeast visits rival Itawamba Community College.
NEMCC NAMES TIGER STADIUM PAVILION FOR FORMER TIGER AND LONGTIME SUPPORTER DR. WILLIAM “BILL” G. JACKSON Northeast Mississippi Community College dedicates its newly renovated alumni pavilion at Tiger Stadium in honor of Dr. William “Bill” G. Jackson, a former Tiger football player, distinguished alumnus and longtime college supporter. Located beside the Tiger Football Field House at the stadium’s north end, the pavilion has been renovated to provide a welcoming space where Northeast alumni and guests can watch games, reconnect and attend college functions. Renovations transformed the space from an outdoor classroom into a flexible gathering area. Northeast added high-top tables and movable seating that can be arranged for meetings, reunions and networking events.Televisions that lower from the pavilion’s ceiling allow guests to follow the game while sheltered from the weather or visiting with other Northeast alumni. Its location near the football field also provides space for reunions and other gatherings during events at Tiger Stadium. Naming the facility recognizes Jackson’s service to Northeast and its students. Jackson served on the Northeast Development Foundation Board, including terms as vice chairman and president. He also shared his medical knowledge with Northeast students as an adjunct faculty member. However, his connection to the college began as a student. Jackson played football for the Tigers and served as Student Government Association president before graduating and continuing his education at Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Northeast selected Jackson as its Alumnus of the Year in 1977. College officials inducted him into the Northeast Alumni Hall of Fame in 2014, one of the highest honors presented by the Northeast Development Foundation and Alumni Association. Born September 24, 1949, in Louisville, Kentucky, Jackson graduated from Walnut High School before attending Northeast. He later served as a senator at Mississippi State and belonged to the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. After earning his medical degree in 1975 and completing an internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., Jackson returned to Corinth where he provided medical care to five generations of families in the Crossroads area during a 46-year career. Jackson became a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1984 and held every office in the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians before serving as president in 2002-03. Fellow physicians named him the organization’s Physician of the Year in 2019. His medical service included work as chief of staff at Magnolia Regional Health Center, as a clinical instructor at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, and as a preceptor for third- and fourth-year medical students. Jackson also worked with Magnolia Regional Health Center’s internal medicine residency program and served as a consulting director for Heritage Manor Nursing Home and Alcorn Care Inn Nursing Home. Community involvement remained a central part of Jackson’s life. Jackson served on numerous boards supporting the Corinth YMCA, Boys Club of Corinth, Timber Hills Mental Health, United Way and Northeast Mississippi Community Concert organization. Jackson also worked to preserve the Crossroads area’s history. He served on the City of Corinth Historical Commission, led the Friends of the Siege and Battle of Corinth and participated in efforts surrounding the development of the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. Jackson’s medical office also served as a reference for the history of Corinth and Alcorn County area, as he worked to preserve it by displaying paintings and artifacts about the history surrounding his patients. Additional honors included recognition as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1980, the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award and a Humanitarian Award for Health Care in 2006.
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