10/31/96 - Dixie Recruiting has Kevin Prentiss, a Miss State recruit, listed as the best WR and 5th best JUCO player in the Southeast.
10/31/96 - Here's some interesting info I found in The Clarion-Ledger today. Quote: "Sherrill said State has recruited well the last two years. 'There's quite a few of these players who'll be playing on Sunday,' he said. And he expects to continue that next February, even though NCAA sanctions will limit the Bulldogs to 12 new scholarships, 13 fewer than normal. 'We're going to be fine in recruiting,' Sherrill said. 'I wish we had 25 scholarships, we'd get healthy very quickly if we did, but we don't. We will sign 12; we won't sign 43 and publicize that we signed 43, we will sign 12' "
10/30/96 - A player who may be the most unheralded major-college football prospect in the state is Terry Hayes, a 6-5 265-pound senior and a four-year starter at Heidelberg. His coach, Artis Mark, says this about him, "I definitely think Terry has been overlooked because of the record (3-5) we have. We play him at linebacker and defensive tackle. He's got the ability to play on Sundays if he applies himself." Other coaches that have been impressed with Terry's uncommon mix of size and speed are Jack French of Forest and Pete Lucovich of Carthage. Hayes, who carries an 82 academic average, has been contacted by Jackson State, Ole Miss, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Jones Junior College. Source: The Clarion-Ledger
10/29/96 - One of the Moss Point players Miss State is recruiting, Barrion Kelly, was named Moss Point player of the game a couple of weeks ago. He had 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 hurry.
10/28/96 - According to Student Sports, Josh Mallard, a player Miss State is recruiting, is having a monster year. Mallard "has 102 tackles and an amazing 24 sacks, including seven in one game against a team featuring two linemen that have verbaled to GEORGIA TECH."
10/24/96 - According to The Clarion-Ledger, Kevin Prentiss, a player Miss State is recruiting, is the leading receiver in the Mississippi Juco ranks with 705 yards on 28 catches.
10/20/96 - Kevin Cooper, a NW CC sophomore WR who signed with Miss State out of high school, caught 10 passes for 114 yards in a game against Hinds CC. He will be one of the hottest commodities in the Miss JUCO ranks before the year is over.
10/20/96 - Look for Miss State to try and get the Moss Point, Ms, football connection back this recruiting year. They are recruiting quite a few players from Moss Point. This list includes: Dearell Handford, 6-4 220 DL; Creevy Harness, 6-2 195 LB; Muskingham Barnes, 6-2 240 DL; Barrion Kelly, 6-3 250 DL. Miss State is the leader for Handford and Kelly. Source: SRA
10/20/96 - According to Southeastern Recruiting Alliance (SRA), Rufus Brown, 6-1 200 RB from Belzoni, Ms, " likes all of the SEC schools, but has consistently mentioned Tennessee as one of his favorites each time we have interviewed him."
10/20/96 - Jason Franklin, QB from Meridian HS, Meridian, Ms, is leaning to Oklahoma over Clemson, Florida, LSU, Arkansas and Miss State. Source: SRA.
10/19/96 - According to SRA, Miss State is the solid leader for Hinds CC, MS, WR Kevin Prentice. He is a 5-8 165 speedster.
10/17/96 - Here's what one opposing coach said about Meridian, Ms HS players, Kenny Smith and Brian Cole. Brandon coach Dan Davis said, "In this decade, I don't know if we've faced a more talented guy of that size than Brian Cole. You're talking about a guy who's 150 pounds, and in three years he eludes everybody in Class 5A. He's an outstanding skill player. He's exciting to watch, and it's frustrating trying to defend him. It seems like Kenny Smith has been at Meridian about as long as Coach Barnes. He's a super talent. He's got the height and the weight and he's so athletic. It's hard to grasp a guy that size who has all that athletic ability." The article, found in The Clarion-Ledger, also states that Brian Cole may have to go the JUCO route and Kenny Smith will likely qualify.
10/17/96 - Found this info about Kendall Simmons, a 6-4 310 DL/OL from Ripley, MS., in The Clarion-Ledger. "Simmons cracked Ripley's starting lineup as a freshman, and he's been making an impact ever since. Most recruiters are after Simmons as a defensive lineman, but Ripley coach Jonathan Carnes thinks offense could be his calling. 'Kendall's got really good feet and great upper-body strength,' Carnes said. 'He's absolutely crushed some folks on trap plays.' Simmons is close to meeting NCAA freshman eligibility requirements. College Choices: Auburn and Tenn lead Miss State, USM and Alabama."
10/15/96 - According to The Clarion-Ledger, New Albany's Matt Koon has committed to Ole Miss. He drew interest from Miss State, USM, Tenn and Vandy. He is qualified. His coach, Terry Allen, said, "Matt's a hard worker who like to lift weights. I figure he'll get a lot biggeer in college. He's got great hands and he's a big ol' target."
10/15/96 - According to Collegiate Recruiting Services, the following players are leaning to Miss State:
10/12/96 - According to The Clarion-Ledger, Miss State assistant coach Melvin Smith and Ole Miss assistant coaches Greg Knox and Terry Price were at the Cleveland East Side and Yazoo City football game watching East Side's three D-IA prospects: Dorsett Davis, 6-6 285 DL; Ken Lucas, 6-0 195 super smooth wingback; and Floyd Womack, 6-4 325 OL.
10/11/96 - According to Student Sports, Miss State and a long list of others have offered Greg Brown, a 6-2 190 DB from Catholic HS, in Baton Rouge, LA, a scholarship. No definite visits set yet. He is a big time recruit. All of the majors are after him.
10/8/96 - I have been told that Tootie Myers, a WR from Petal, Ms, may be leaning to Alabama. He is also a big time baseball player. May be a high draft choice in the June Major League Draft.
9/28/96 - The Clarion-Ledger has Terrence Metcalf, the great OL from Clarksdale, Ms, leaning to Alabama.
If you have any information, please contact me at swindoll@ebicom.net.