STARKVILLE, Miss. – – Eight student athletes signed to continue their athletic and academic career at the next level on National Signing Day.  

Dewaylon Brooks signed with Southwest Mississippi Community College, and Leroy Hollingshed signed with Coahoma Community College. 

Ja’Carius Hendricks, Amariyon Howard, Keyshawn Lawrence, Ronnie Randle, Stacy Robinson and Ahmir Taylor signed to play football with East Mississippi Community College.  

“What I look forward to is the family and the football traditions. They have great football traditions, and the education is amazing,” Taylor said. 

Taylors’s father Cheikh Taylor played a big role in the decision-making process. His father helped him trust the process.  

“What made me choose was the way they were recruiting me. They felt like a family. They felt like home, so that’s why I am going there.  I feel like I can win more games there than anywhere else,” Taylor said. 

Before the players joined their families at the table to sign, Head Football Coach Chris Jones shared that this group of players worked extremely hard on and off the field this year. Their average GPA was a 3.0. 

“I hope these players use the stuff football has taught as far as how to deal with adversity, the ups and downs of life, the dedication, the hard work, the sacrifice and all that good stuff that kind of makes you more than just a good football player but a good person in life as well,” Jones said.  

Jones anticipates great things for his players at the next level, and he thinks their commitment over the past four years helped pave a way for success after high school.  

“I think football has prepared them throughout the journey, and hopefully they will do great. I think that’s going to prepare them for the work force, college and whatever avenue they may take,” Jones said.