"The Clarion-Ledger's 1997 Dandy Dozen"

The ninth annual team of the state's top 12 high school players was selected by Todd Kelly, Sekou Smith and Bill Spencer after conversations with high school coaches and college recruiters.
  • Robert Gillespie - RB, 5-10 180, 4.5, Hattiesburg. Rushed for 1,200 yards and scored 19 TDs. Schools - Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Tenn.

  • Justin Griffith - RB, 6-0 220, 4.6, Magee HS. 2nd Team All-State. Schools - Miss State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Alabama, LSU

  • Albert Jones - RB, 6-0 210, 4.5, Velma Jackson HS. Rushed for a school record 2,011 yards on 261 carries and scored 20 TDs. 2nd Team All-State, All-Divison, All-Metro. Schools - Miss State, Florida, LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State

  • Dicenzo Miller - RB/DB, 5-10 175, 4.5, Weir HS. Rushed for 1,790 yards and scored a state-record 42 TDs. 1st Team All-State. Schools - Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Clemson, Florida, Illinois.

  • Freddie Milons - QB/DB, 5-10 175, 4.4, Starkville HS. Honorable Mention All-State, All Region Co-MVP. Schools - Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Tenn.

  • Reggie Myles - CB, 5-11 170, 4.3, Pascagoula HS. Picked off 3 passes and had 69 tackles. Honorable Mention All-State, All-Region, All-Coast. Schools - Southern Miss, Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Southern Methodist.

  • Will Overstreet - DE, 6-4 250, 4.9, Jackson Prep. 84 tackles, 7 QB sacks. Schools - Ole Miss, Alabama, North Carolina, Stanford, Virginia.

  • Edward Prather - RB, 6-1 185, 4.4, Falkner HS. Rushed 1,610 yards on 174 carries and scored 16 TDs. Honorable Mention All-State, 3-time All-Area, Tippah County Back of the Year. Schools - Ole Miss, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Tenn.

  • Toward Sanford - RB, 5-10 200, 4.6, South Panola HS. Ran for 1,110 yards and scored 12 TDs. Schools - Miss State, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Tenn.

  • Conner Stephens - DE, 6-5 235, 4.8, Ackerman. Had 138 tackles and 15 sacks. Also caught 6 TD passes at TE. Schools - Miss State, Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame, Tenn.

  • Eddie Strong - LB, 6-3 220, 4.6, South Panola HS. Averaged 11 tackles per game. All-State. Committed to Ole Miss.

  • Syniker Taylor - RB, 6-2 190, 4.5, Gulfport HS. Schools - Miss State, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Miami.