Pearl River announces 2019 signing class
POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Pearl River announced the addition of 34 new Wildcats on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day 2019.
The large class checks a lot of boxes and fills plenty of needs after PRCC graduated a number of difference makers in December.
"We're excited about our class. We lost a lot, especially up front in the trenches. We had three freshmen defensive linemen who were full qualifiers and signed Division-I so we had to replace them," Pearl River coach Ted Egger said. "I think we got a lot bigger and faster and are more explosive on both sides of the ball. We also addressed our kicking issue and brought in a quarterback. We're also excited about bringing in an in-state quarterback who will compete to play."
The Wildcats' 2019 class includes receivers Dayln Anderson (Harrison Central), Latreal Jones (Taylorsville), Khalil Levy (Ocean Springs), Trent Williams (Petal); linebackers Jordan Bailey (Pearl), Ross Barnett (Poplarville), Ra'Sheim Jordan (Hattiesburg), Noah Mitchell (Greene County), Ricco Moore (St. Martin), Tennille Sellers (Gautier); defensive backs Antonio Barnes (Poplarville), Nijewel Coleman (Sumrall), Damien Lynch (Pearl), Damonta May (Pass Christian) and Davante Pinkins (Harrison Central); offensive linemen Quincy Brown (D'Iberville), Wes Carter (Harrison Central), Reagan Davis (Columbia), Noah Diamond (Brookhaven Academy), Eric Handy (Hattiesburg) and Hayden West (Greene County); kicker/punters Branson Davis (East Central) and Gayden Hence (Hattiesburg); defensive linemen Jaylen Glaude (Ocean Springs), Jarid Johnson (Pascagoula), Kendrick Shields (Harrison Central) and Christian Turner (Hattiesburg); running backs Dymarcus Griffin (Richton), Tionne Frost (Gulfport) and Lance Stewart (Lafayette); tight ends Zach Wall (Parklane Academy) and Keeilan Thomas (Gulfport); and quarterback Javo Thurman (Magee). PRCC also announced the addition of mid-year transfer Harrison Ashby (University of Idaho).
COMPLETE STUDENT ATHLETES
Egger said he tasked his coaches with finding complete student athletes.
"Our coaches did a great job. They worked tirelessly to address all of our needs and to make sure they got guys who want to be at Pearl River," he said. "That's really important to us. It was important to go find high character guys who are great football players but will also work in the classroom."
STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
PRCC signed nine players from the district and the majority of its signing class hails from the Pine Belt and South Mississippi.
"We stayed pretty local," Egger said. "We're a big believer in staying as close to home as possible and going after our district football players."
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
WR Dayln Anderson (6-foot-1, 180 pounds; Harrison Central High School): Played quarterback at Harrison Central High … Passed for 1,872 yards and 18 touchdowns in his senior season … Was named to Sun Herald All-South Mississippi High School Football Team … Coached in high school by Casey Cain.
"He's an explosive athlete when he has the ball in his hands," Egger said. "He can play a bunch of different positions for us and we're happy to have him."
TE Harrison Ashby (6-5, 246; Capital ID) High School/University of Idaho): Transferred from the University of Idaho … Appeared in six games at tight end and on special teams in 2018 … arrived at Idaho spring 2018 after grayshirting in fall 2017… Helped lead Capital to the state championship game as a senior… named all-state as a tight end… recorded 34 receptions for 578 yards and five touchdowns … also a standout on the Capital basketball team … listed as a 2-star athlete the No. 9 recruit in Idaho's 2017 signing class by 247Sports.
"We're really excited about Harrison and what he brings to the program, particularly his leadership and toughness," Egger said. "He can do it all; block, flex out and be a receiver. He can do a whole bunch of things."
LB Jordan Bailey (6-3, 200; Pearl High School): Played defensive line at Pearl High … Recorded over 200 tackles in three seasons … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star South team … Coached in high school by John Perry.
"Jordan Bailey is a physical linebacker who can do a lot of things for us," Egger said. "Linebacker was a big need for us this year and he's a guy who can come in and really be an impact player."
DB Antonio Barnes (6-0, 165; Poplarville High School): Played quarterback at Poplarville High … Passed for 2,855 yards and 28 touchdowns in four seasons as a starter … Coached in high school by Jay Beech.
"He's a kid we have watched win a lot of football games for Poplarville and being a local guy, we're excited to have him," Egger said. "Antonio Barnes is a winner. He's a competitor. He's an athletic kid who can play a bunch of different positions."
LB Ross Barnett (5-11, 200; Poplarville High School): Played linebacker at Poplarville High … Recorded 439 tackles in three seasons … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 4A All-State first team … Was named to Clarion-Ledger All-State Second team … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star South team … Was named to Sun Herald All-South Mississippi High School Football Team … Coached in high school by Jay Beech … Already enrolled at PRCC.
"Ross is a local guy who I think was the heart and soul of the Poplarville football team," Egger said. "He did nothing but make plays for the Hornets. He's another guy who's a leader. I'm excited about Ross."
OL Quincy Brown (6-3, 280; D'lberville High School): Played offensive line at D'lberville High … Recorded 10 pancake blocks in last two seasons while helping pave the way for an offense that averaged 257.3 yards per game … Coached in high school by Eric Collins.
"Quincy Brown is a big offensive lineman who will come in and compete. Offensive line was a big need for us this year," Egger said "We think he's a guy who can come in and play anywhere along the line and be an impact player."
OL Wes Carter (6-4, 300; Harrison Central High School): Played offensive line at Harrison Central High … Helped block for an offense that averaged 324.4 yards per game … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star South team … Coached in high school by Casey Cain.
"He's a big body guy who is a physical offensive lineman," Egger said. "He'll bring that physical aspect to our O-line."
DB Nijewel Coleman (6-0, 180; Sumrall High School): Played defensive back at Sumrall High … Recorded over 400 tackles and intercepted eight passes in four seasons … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star South team … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches All-State 4A first team … Was named to Clarion-Ledger All-State Second Team … Coached in high school by Shannon White.
"Nijewel is a local district guy who is a heckuva free safety," Egger said. "We're expecting him to come in and be a playmaker for us. He's physical, will tackle and has great ball skills. He's well coached."
K/P/OLB Branson Davis (6-1, 195; East Central High School):Played linebacker and kicker at East Central High … Recorded 95 tackles and kicked 121 PATs and 14 field goals in two seasons with a career long of 46 yards … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 4A All-State first team … Was named a Ray Guy ProKicker.com Top Prospect … Ranked the 41st kicker nationally and a 4.5 star prospect by ProKicker.com … Was named to Sun Herald All-South Mississippi High School Football Team … Coached in high school by Seth Smith.
"Branson is a unique talent. He's a tough, tough kid who is physical," Egger said. "We're looking at him to come in and play some outside linebacker for us as well as special teams. He's got a heckuva leg on him. We're excited about the dual threat he brings."
OL Reagan Davis (6-1, 250; Columbia High School): Played offensive line at Columbia High … Helped block for an offense that averaged 271.6 rushing yards per game … Coached in high school by Chip Bilderback.
"Reagan Davis is another O-lineman who we think can come in and compete at the center or guard positions," Egger said. "He's another local district guy. He's ready to go right now and has a great attitude."
OL Noah Diamond (6-4, 310; Brookhaven Academy): Played offensive line at Brookhaven Academy … Blocked for an offense that averaged 300.6 yards per game … Coached in high school by Ron Rushing.
"Noah is a big tackle who's very athletic for his size. He has the mindset that he's going to come in and get after it," Egger said. "We're excited about Noah and what he'll bring to our program.
RB Tionne Frost (6-1, 220; Gulfport High School): Played running back at Gulfport High … Ran for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 carries … Coached in high school by John Archie.
"Tionne is a guy we're going to love giving the football to," Egger said. "We lost two productive running backs who we have to replace and we think he's that big body back who can come in and get those tough yards. He's tough to bring down."
DL Jaylen Glaude (6-3, 241; Ocean Springs High School): Played defensive line at Ocean Springs High … Had 41 tackles his senior season … Coached in high school by Ryan Ross.
"Jaylen is a big defensive end from Ocean Springs with a big upside. He's going to continue to grow and get bigger and we look for him to be a dominant player for us," Egger said. "He'll need to help replace the production from the players who graduated. He's a good one."
RB Dymarcus "DD" Griffin (6-0, 180; Richton High School): Played running back, wide receiver and linebacker at Richton High … Rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 34 touchdowns in four seasons … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 3A All-State first team … Coached in high school by Stephen Rice.
"D.D. was very productive at Richton," Egger said. "He's a different style back from Tionne, more of a shifty runner. He has great ball skills."
OL Eric Handy (6-4, 347; Hattiesburg High School): Played offensive line at Hattiesburg High … Helped lead the way for an offense that averaged 437.8 yards per game … Coached in high school by Tony Vance.
"Eric is a big, physical offensive lineman," Egger said. "He's working hard and excited to be at Pearl River. At Hattiesburg he won a lot of football games over his high school career. He's going to be an exciting player."
K/P Gayden Hence (5-8, 160; Hattiesburg High School): Played kicker at Hattiesburg High … Coached in high school by Tony Vance.
"He's a competitor and worker," Egger said. "We went after a guy who we know will put that thing through the uprights. He's very versatile."
DL Jarid Johnson (6-2, 265; Pascagoula High School): Played defensive line and tight end at Pascagoula High … Recorded 93 tackles, 11 TFLs, three sacks and 11 QB hurries in two seasons … Also played basketball … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star South team … Coached in high school by Lewis Sims.
"Jarid is a defensive end who will replace what we lost from Pascagoula," Egger said. "He's a big, athletic, strong defensive end who was very productive. We expect the same from him here."
WR Latreal Jones (6-1, 170; Taylorsville High School): Played wide receiver at Taylorsville High … Coached in high school by Mitchell Evans.
"Latreal is very explosive and fast wide receiver," Egger said. "He can push it vertical. He's a guy who we're going to want to get the ball in his hands."
LB Ra'Sheim Jordan (6-1, 190; Hattiesburg High School): Played defensive line at Hattiesburg High … Had 34 tackles and five sacks his senior season … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 5A All-State second team … Coached in high school by Tony Vance.
"They had him at defensive end but he'll be an outside linebacker for us," Egger said. "He makes a lot of plays. He was very productive at Hattiesburg. He'll be a good one."
WR Khalil Levy (5-9, 150; Ocean Springs High School): Played wide receiver at Ocean Springs High … Caught 48 passes for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 6A All-State first team … Was named to Sun Herald All-South Mississippi High School Football Team … Coached in high school by Ryan Ross.
"Khalil is a 10.8 (second) 100-yard dash type kid who's fast and can be a great receiver," Egger said. "He has a lot of upside. He can really move."
DB Damien Lynch (5-10, 180; Pearl High School): Played defensive back at Pearl High … Recorded 89 tackles his senior season … Named to Mississippi Gridiron's 2018 preseason All-Capital team … Coached in high school by John Perry.
"Damien has won a lot of ballgames at Pearl," Egger said. "He's a competitor and winner. He's a physical football player. We'll be able to play him at a lot of different spots on defense. He's a guy who can play linebacker, safety, wherever you want him to play."
DB Damonta May (5-11, 160; Pass Christian High School): Played defense back and wide receiver at Pass Christian High … Recorded 16 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended and one blocked punt as a senior for the Pirates … Coached in high school by Kenneth Wittmann.
"Damonta is an explosive player who can do a lot of things on both sides of the ball," Egger said. "He was their best football player this past season. He'll play corner for us."
LB Noah Mitchell (6-1, 220; Greene County High School): Played linebacker at Greene County High … Accumulated 290 tackles in two seasons … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 4A All-State first team … Coached in high school by Michael King.
"Noah is as good of a linebacker as you're going to find. He's very productive," Egger said. "Noah is smart, athletic, physical, sideline-to-sideline player. He's a captain type of player. We're lucky to have him. I can't find enough good things to say about him."
LB Charles "Ricco" Moore (5-10, 180; St. Martin High School): Played defensive back at St. Martin High … Recorded 193 tackles in four seasons … Coached in high school by Eddie Wayne Whitehead.
"Ricco is a very athletic young man who can run around and make a lot of plays," Egger said. "We lost some production on defense and he's a guy who can play a bunch of different spots."
DB Davante Pinkins (5-10, 190; Harrison Central High School): Played linebacker at Harrison Central High … Recorded 100 tackles and nine sacks his senior season … Coached in high school by Casey Cain.
"He's a tough nosed kid who will strike you and run through you," Egger said. "He likes contact and runs to the football. He's a good football player."
LB Tennille Sellers (6-1, 215; Gautier High School): Played linebacker at Gautier High … Recorded 153 tackles in two seasons … Coached in high school by Marcus High.
"Sellers is a good one," Egger said. "We graduated four linebackers but we feel we got some good ones in guys like Tennille. He can run."
DL Kendrick Shields (6-4, 242; Harrison Central High School): Played tight end and defensive line for Harrison Central High … Recorded 88 tackles and five sacks his senior season … Coached in high school by Casey Cain.
"Shields will play defensive end for us. He's a stud," Egger said. "He's big and physical. We're expecting a lot out of him."
RB Lance Stewart (5-9, 190; Lafayette High School): Played running back and linebacker at Lafayette High … Rushed for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns on 121 carries as a senior … Was selected to the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star North team … Coached in high school by Michael Fair.
"He's a good all-purpose type of back who had 1,200 yards this year," Egger said. "He was very productive. Those three running backs will replace who we lost."
TE Keeilan Thomas (6-1, 208; Gulfport High School): Played wide receiver and defensive back for Gulfport High … Caught 31 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns … Coached in high school by John Archie … Already enrolled at PRCC.
"Keeilan is a versatile guy who'll play H-back and tight end," Egger said. "He's going to be a guy who can be in the backfield or hand in the dirt. He's not as big as the other tight ends we signed but he'll be able to run routes well."
QB Javo Thurman (6-4, 190; Magee High School): Played quarterback and wide receiver at Magee High … Passed for 2,647 yards and 26 touchdowns his senior year … Was named to Mississippi Association of Coaches 3A All-State first team … Coached in high school by Cory Edwards.
"Javo was one of the best quarterbacks in the state," Egger said. "He's 6-4, athletic and a great basketball player. He's just an all around great athlete and will be a fantastic quarterback for us."
DL Christian Turner (6-3, 250; Hattiesburg High School): Played defensive line at Hattiesburg High … Coached in high school by Tony Vance.
"He'll be an interior guy for us. He's big and athletic," Egger said. "He has a lot of tools to work with."
TE Zach Wall (6-5, 250; Parklane Academy): Played at tight end and defensive line at Parklane Academy … Coached in high school by Brian Stutzman.
"Zach Wall is a big kid at 6-5 who's athletic. He can catch the ball, block," Egger said. "He's physical. He's going to be really good."
OL Hayden West (6-2, 295; Greene County High School): Played offensive line at Greene County High … Led an offensive unit that averaged 301.3 yards per game … Coached in high school by Michael King.
"Hayden is a tough kid from Greene County," Egger said. "He'll have the opportunity to come in here and compete and play."
WR Trent Williams (6-2, 190; Petal High School): Played wide receiver at Petal High … Caught 70 passes for 731 yards and eight touchdowns in three seasons … Coached in high school by Marcus Boyles.
"He's a big receiver who comes from a great program," Egger said. "He was very productive at Petal. We expect him to come in here and really do some great things."
TRYOUTS
Pearl River recently announced it will hold tryouts Feb. 13 at Dobie Holden Stadium. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. with tryouts beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $20.
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