Gene's 1998 Pre-Preseason Top 30

The Top 30 Mississippi High School Football Players of 1998

This is a very early and tentative list of seniors-to-be whom I consider to be some of the best football players Mississippi will have to offer during the 1998 football season. I don't pretend to think that this list is anywhere near perfect. I'm sure I have left off players that should be on this list, so look at it and tell me if you feel there is a player you think should have been included. I want your comments. If you know something about any of these players, email it to me. The list is in alphabetical order except for the top 6.
The Top 6:

  • #1 Dontae Walker - RB, 5-10, 205, 4.5, Clinton HS. 1st Team All-State (only Junior). Rushed for 2,042 on 244 carries, 28 TDs. National recruit who is already drawing interest from schools throughout the country.

  • #2 Walter Young - DL, 6-5, 270, Purvis HS. 2nd Team All-State, exceptional quickness for a big man.

  • #3 Lincoln Smith - OL, 6-8, 280, Simmons HS. Big man with big talent. Some say he could be the top OL in the state next year.

  • #4 Kevin Fant - QB, 6-2, 190, Moss Point HS. 2nd Team All-State

  • #5 Tyler Gray - OL, 6-7, 260, East Webster HS. Excellent size to match his exceptional talent. Ivy League grades. Ole Miss, Alabama and others already interested.

  • #6 Casey Gilbert - DL, 6-5, 260, Pascagoula HS. All-Region IV as a TE, very strong with soft hands.

    • The Best of the Rest:

  • Kyle Billingsley - OL, 6-5, 280, Winona HS.
  • Eric Brewer - OL, 6-3, 240, New Hope HS. 2-time All-District, 300 bench, 450 squat.
  • Jack Byrd - K, 5-11, 165, Picayune HS. 1st-Team All-Dictrict, All-Area.
  • Casey Carpenter - QB, 6-1, 185, Carroll Academy.
  • Greg Carter - WR, 5-11, 160, Natchez HS. Honorable Mention All-State. One of the fastest players in the state.
  • Tarnaka Counslor - RB, 5-7, 165, Clarksdale HS. Honorable Mention All-State. Very, very strong for his size.
  • Joe Crawford - OL/DL, 6-3, 265, Velma Jackson HS. Best Defensive Lineman Division 5-3A. Should play OL in college.
  • Keshum Furdge - WR, 6-1, 190, Hattiesburg HS
  • Michael Gross - WR, 6-0, 185, Louisville HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Matt Grier - RB, 6-0, 175, Smithville HS.
  • Steve Griffin - RB, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Amory HS.
  • Kimario Hentz - RB, 5-10, 172, 4.5, South Panola HS. Honorable Mention All-State, All-Region 1-5A.
  • Javerro January - QB, 6-1, 185, Callaway HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Donald Lee - TE/LB, 6-2, 225, 4.8, Maben HS. All-District.
  • Jeremy Leseur - DB, 6-2, 185, Holly Springs. Already attracting national interest.
  • Mandrell McGregory - WR, 6-0, 185, 4.5, Clarksdale HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Trevin McLemore - RB, 5-11, 190, Lumberton HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Corey Miley - DL, 6-3, 260, Mendenhall HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Jesse Mitchell - LB, 6-2, 215, Moss Point HS. All-Region.
  • Jordan Pettit - OL, 6-4, 260, Olive Branch. A big-time sleeper. Very quick feet for an OL.
  • Brad Price - RB, 6-1, 187, Baldwyn HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Kelly Shumpert - ATH, 6-10, 190, Tupelo HS. All-Region (Most Valuable Special Teams Player). Injured knee latter part of the year.
  • Bernard Sykes - DL/TE, 6-3, 275, Calhoun City HS. Honorable Mention All-State.
  • Donald Tucker - OL, 6-4, 295, Tupelo HS. Honorable Mention All-State. Played injured last season.