We are undoubtedly heading into a new era of college football. So many different avenues are being paved (or repaved for that matter), including the incoming 12-team College Football Playoff, more NIL money going out, rule changes such as the two-minute warning going into effect, and then of course, the transfer portal that seems to be everchanging.
If there is one constant, though, it’s that Mississippi continues to produce stellar talent on the Division I FBS level. Like my column last year, I take a look at what I’m now calling the preseason All-Magnolia Team. To qualify, one must be a Mississippi native and returning for at least their second collegiate season. Here we go!
Offense
QB KJ Jefferson, UCF (Sardis)
Jefferson started the last three seasons at Arkansas, tossing for 67 touchdowns and rushing for 21 more. The North Panola alum is expected to have a big season for the Knights, who lost fellow Mississippian John Rhys Plumlee to graduation.
RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn (Philadelphia)
The former Mr. Football for Neshoba Central has started all 37 games in his three-year career, leading the Tigers with 2,573 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s the No. 16 best running back in college football, according to Lindy’s and Athlon.
RB Rodrigues “Dreke” Clark, Southern Miss (Starkville)
While most of Clark’s career up until this point has been as a backup, he’s expected to take a lead role in Hattiesburg with the departure of Frank Gore, Jr. Clark has rushed for 1,462 yards and 9 touchdowns over three seasons at Memphis and one at Southern Miss.
WR Chris Bell, Louisville (Yazoo City)
Although the Greenville Christian alum hasn’t seen terribly big numbers yet, 2024 feels different for the lengthy receiver. Expect transfer additions of Ja’Corey Brooks and Caullin Lacy to help open the field for Bell, who’s accounted for 512 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons.
WR Corey Rucker, Arkansas State (Bentonia)
Rucker transferred back to Arkansas State after an injury-filled 2022 campaign at South Carolina. Coming back to the Sun Belt may have been a good choice as his career numbers are now at 2,000 total yards of offense with 17 touchdowns. Expect him to be one of the conference’s best.
WR Alex Adams, Akron (Osyka)
Entering his third year, the South Pike alum has accounted for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns in 18 games. According to Lindy’s, Adams is a player to watch in the MAC.
TE Ethan Conner, Troy (Columbus)
The 6’5” JUCO product caught 16 passes for four touchdowns in his first season on the Division I level. One of those touchdowns came against Southern Miss, making Will Hall and company probably wish they landed the Columbus native.
OL Caleb Warren, Ole Miss (Louisville)
Going into his sixth season in Oxford, Warren has played in 46 games since 2019 while being named to the 2023 preseason All-SEC third team. While last season didn’t pan out as projected, the upcoming year feels vital for Warren and his NFL chances. Expect the big man to step up.
OL Percy Lewis, Auburn (Sallis)
Speaking of big men, Lewis falls comfortably in that category. The 6’7”, 355-pounder played in 25 games for Mississippi State with eight starts from the left tackle position. He transferred to Auburn this offseason and looks like he’ll be protecting the blind side of Peyton Thorne.
OL Xavier Hill, Memphis (Olive Branch)
After transferring from LSU in 2022, Hill earned first-team All-AAC last season after helping the Tigers produce the sixth-ranked scoring offense in the nation at 39.4 points per game. Hill started all 13 games in 2023 and expects to do the same in 2024.
OL Makylan Pounders, Mississippi State (Byhalia)
Pounders, a former teammate of Hill at Memphis, appeared in 20 games over three seasons for the Tigers. He was also one of the anchors to that power-producing offensive line and is expected to be a major contributor in the trenches at Mississippi State.
OL Zy Crisler, Illinois (Crystal Springs)
Crisler, who has started 24 games for the Illini, helped his position group reach the semifinalist stage for the 2023 Joe Moore Award, which goes out annually to the nation’s top offensive line. He’s a two-time All-Big Ten blocker and is expected to be one of the conference’s best yet again.
Defense
DL De’Monte Russell, Mississippi State (Jackson)
Assuming Russell’s alleged legal challenges don’t interfere with his on-field play, the defensive end out of Provine is expected to be a top edge rusher in the SEC. Over four seasons in Starkville, he’s recorded 54 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
DL Da’Jon Terry, Oklahoma (Meridian)
Terry is now at his third school after stints at Tennessee and Kansas, but his experience is what pops out on paper. Playing in 49 games over five years, Terry has accounted for 69 tackles and six sacks. He’ll be an anchor at the nose guard position for the SEC’s newest member.
DL JJ Pegues, Ole Miss (Oxford)
Since transferring back home to Ole Miss, the Oxford native has seen a resurgence in his career. In 2023, he had 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks while being used sparingly on offense in different Lane Kiffin wildcat packages.
LB Austin Keys, Auburn (Taylorsville)
After spending his first three seasons at Ole Miss, the Seminary alum landed in Auburn ahead of last year’s inaugural season under head coach Hugh Freeze. He had 30 tackles over six starts and should be a more consistent playmaker for the Tigers this fall.
LB Triston Newsom, Missouri (Independence)
Newsom, a former JUCO All-American, really began to shine at the end of last season. Against Arkansas on Nov. 24, he had a career-high 15 tackles before ending the year with 10 tackles against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. That will carry over into 2024.
LB Sam Brumfield, Virginia Tech (Pearl)
Leaving Middle Tennessee State for Virginia Tech, Brumfield and the Hokies hope the move pays off. In Murfreesboro, he was an All-Conference USA selection with 81 tackles and 3.5 sacks. I think Brumfield will fit in well with Virginia Tech’s pass-rush-heavy scheme.
DB Ricky Fletcher, South Alabama (Durant)
The Holmes County alum has been Mr. Consistent for the Jaguars, appearing in 26 consecutive games. Over that span, he’s recorded 43 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. I predict at least two interceptions this year. Mark it down.
DB Justin Walley, Minnesota (D’Iberville)
The All-Big Ten selection has put up video game numbers for the Golden Gophers over the past three seasons, recording 113 tackles, five interceptions, and 22 pass breakups. The D’Iberville alum’s stat sheet also features three forced fumbles along with four recoveries and a touchdown.
S Dylan Lawrence, Southern Miss (Lucedale)
Lawrence, a George County alum, was a tackling machine in 2023 after transferring from Mississippi State. He had 78 tackles (38 solo) from his strong safety post.
S Malcolm Hartzog, Jr., Nebraska (Silver Creek)
The first Mississippian to sign with Nebraska since 2014, Hartzog has proven himself as a playmaker for the Cornhuskers. Over 18 games, the Jefferson Davis County alum has 62 tackles to go along with three interceptions.
Special Teams
K Tanner Gillis, Memphis (Olive Branch)
The Lewisburg alum knocked 10 of 13 attempts through the uprights in 2023 while connecting on 47 of 49 extra points. His long was from 49 yards out. Expect him to once again be a primary scorer for the Tigers.
P Ross James, Oregon (Brandon)
Although the Hartfield Academy product only saw playing time in three games last season, his production in that time landed him as the starter going into 2024. He averaged 42 yards per punt, dropping three inside the 20-yard line for the Ducks.
AP Kentrel Bullock, South Alabama (Columbia)
The Ole Miss transfer found a true home on special teams for the Jaguars in 2023. While still productive from the wideout position (554 yards, five touchdowns), some of his brightest moments came returning kickoffs.
LS Solomon Landrum, Hawaii (Hattiesburg)
Another Ole Miss special teamer who bounced, Landrum landed at Hawaii in 2022 and started all 13 games at long snapper. An injury-ridden 2023 turned into a redshirt that he plans to utilize as the once-again starter in 2024. He’s also pretty good at getting down the field, tallying a pair of tackles two years ago.
Honorable Mention
DT Jaheim Oatis (Alabama/Columbia)
WR Jordan Anthony (Arkansas/Tylertown)
DE Jamonta Waller (Auburn/Picayune)
DT Josaih Hayes (Kentucky/Horn Lake)
DB PJ Woodland (LSU/Hattiesburg)
OL Elyjah Thurmon (Clemson/Rienzi)
LB Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss/Raleigh)
DB Brandon Turnage (Ole Miss/Oxford)
WR Rico Dorsey (Coastal Carolina/Hattiesburg)
LB Donterry Russell (Mississippi State/Jackson)
LB Stone Blanton (Mississippi State/Jackson)
DB Quindarrius Jones (Florida State/Meridian)
S John Slaughter (Tennessee/Clarksdale)
S Jeremiah Johnson (Georgia State/Anguilla)
DB Hershey McLaurin (Houston/Friendship)
TE Tyler Fortenberry (Vanderbilt/Brookhaven)
DE Jordan Lawson (Louisiana/Brandon)
DT Jaylan Ware (Louisiana Monroe/Starkville)
RB Donerio Davenport (Louisiana Tech/McComb)
OL Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech/Taylorsville)
LB Dalton Hughes (South Alabama/Tupelo)
DB Dallas Gamble (South Alabama/Booneville)
LB Jalil Clemons (Southern Miss/Macon)
DB Michael Caraway, Jr. (Southern Miss/Bassfield)
DE Devon Wright (Texas State/Southaven)
OL Trey Tuggle (Tulane/Mize)
TE Dallas Payne (UAB/Bay St. Louis)
DT Joker Gill (UAB/Philadelphia)
DB Tyrane Stewart (North Carolina/Osyka)
DE Red Hibbler (North Carolina State/Louisville)
OL McKale Boley (Virginia/Hattiesburg)
DB Chance Keith (Army/Biloxi)
DE Stone Handy (Charlotte/Hattiesburg)
OL Weston Kropp (Rice/Biloxi)
OL Tyler Brown (Colorado/Jackson)
OL Davion Carter (Texas Tech/Pearl)
QB Luke Altmyer (Illinois/Starkville)
RB Dante Dowdell (Nebraska/Picayune)
WR Calvin Johnson, II (Northwestern/French Camp)
DB DeCarlos Nicholson (USC/Petal)
QB Will Rogers (Washington/Brandon)
WR Qua Sanders (Buffalo/Columbus)
DB Jadarrius Perkins (Toledo/Hattiesburg)
DB Michael Coats, Jr. (Nevada/Biloxi)
