Wednesday is the first day high school players can sign with four-year colleges.

Johnthan Banks, DB, 6-2, 170, Maben, Miss. (East Webster)

HIGH SCHOOL: Considered the No. 63 “athlete” prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Rvials.com . . . That site also regarded him as the No. 23 prospect in the state of Mississippi . . . Rated the No. 69 safety prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com following his senior season . . . Credited with running a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash by national recruiting web site ESPN.com . . . Named second-team, all-state in all classifications at linebacker by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Rated with the top 40 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Accounted for 1,740 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns while playing quarterback for head coach Jimmy Carden at East Webster High School in Maben, Miss. . . . Also starred on the defensive side of the ball, making 35 tackles and seven pass interceptions during his senior season . . . As a junior, he rushed for 16 touchdowns as a running back and recorded two pass interceptions in the defensive secondary . . . Once returned three punts for touchdowns in a single game for the Wolverines . . . Played for his high school varsity team since the eighth grade . . . Led his prep baseball team to state championships in Class 1-A during his freshman and junior campaigns . . . Also played basketball on the high school level . . . Committed to Mississippi State in April 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Johnthan Shuntay Banks, 10-3-89 . . . Grandson of Mrs. Maggie Banks.

Leon Berry, WR, 6-1, 185, Griffin, Ga. (Griffin/East Mississippi CC)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 10 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue, the third-best wide receiver mentioned . . . Named second-team junior college all-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association . . . Two-time first-team, all-Region XXIII selection as a return specialist . . . Two-time, first-team, all-state at wide receiver . . . Rated #6 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger list of the state’s top junior college prospects following his sophomore season, the top true wide receiver on the list . . . Caught 59 passes for 1,003 yards, a 17.0-yard average, and nine touchdowns during his junior college career at East Mississippi Community College for head coach Buddy Stephens . . . Also returned 43 kickoffs for 1,126 yards, a 26.2-yard average, and two touchdowns, during his JC career . . . Also credited with 10 punt returns for 129 yards and another score . . . Ranked 13th nationally in receiving, he caught 39 passes for 661 yards, a 16.9-yard average, and five touchdowns during his sophomore season . . . Also led the Mississippi Association of Junior and Community Colleges with 19 kickoff returns for 485 yards, a 25.5-yard average, and another TD . . . Also had all 10 career punt returns for 129 yards and one touchdown during his final JC campaign . . .Caught 20 passes for 342 yards, a 17.1-yard average, and four touchdowns during his freshman season at EMCC . . . Also returned 24 kickoffs for 641 yards, a 26.7-yard average, and another touchdown . . . Helped East Mississippi Community College to an 8-2 record and national No. 10 ranking as a sophomore.

HIGH SCHOOL: Started for three seasons as a running back and cornerback for coach Devo? at Griffin (Ga.) High School . . . Helped the Bears to a 22-3 record during his final two prep seasons . . . Griffin finished third in the state during his junior and senior seasons, ending his senior campaign with an 11-2 mark.

PERSONAL: Born Leon Berry, 1/21/88, in Griffin, Ga. . . . Son of Mr. Leon Berry and Ms. Magnolia Berry . . . Once featured in Sport’s Illustrated Faces in the Crowd . . . Voted Mr. EMCC by the student body.

Josh Boyd, DL, 6-3, 275, Philadelphia, Miss. (Philadelphia)

HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play for the East squad in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl game in San Antonio, Texas . . . After a week of practice in which he caught scouts’ attention, he had four tackles in the all-star game . . . Rated the No. 12 defensive tackle prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Credited with running a 4.85-second 40-yard dash and a 385-pound bench press by that web site . . . That service also says he has a 560-pound squat . . . Listed No. 15 on national recruiting web site Rivals.com ranking of the nation’s top defensive tackle prospects . . . Listed No. 23 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top defensive linemen in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Ranked No. 5 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger’s list of the 10 most wanted high school prospects in the state of Mississippi, the top-ranked interior defensive lineman on the list . . . Rated No. 6 on Rivals.com ranking of the state of Mississippi’s top prospects, the highest listed defensive tackle . . . Named first-team, all-state on the defensive line by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper for all classifications . . . Called the state’s most highly sought after interior defensive lineman by that publication . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior season . . . Helped head coach Teddy Dyess Philadelphia (Miss.) High School team to a 9-3 record during his senior campaign and into the second round of the state playoffs . . . Posted 112 tackles during his senior season, with seven quarterback sacks and six other tackles for loss . . . Also credited with three fumble recoveries and a blocked kick . . . Selected to the G&W Recruiting Report’s Pre-season Top 250 prospects nationally, one of the top 50 defensive ends on the list . . . Selected to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen, symbolic of being one of the top 12 players in the state of Mississippi . . . Named first-team, all-state in the Class 3A division by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, second-team all-state in all classifications, following his junior season . . . Made 154 tackles, including 27 for loss, and eight quarterback sacks during his junior season for head coach Teddy Dyess at Philadelphia (Miss.) High School . . . Also blocked two punts and two extra-points in that junior year . . . Other top scholarship offers: LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Florida State, Michigan and Miami . . . Committed to MSU in July 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Joshua Caleb Boyd, 8-3-89 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Boyd.

Sean Brauchle, PK, 5-9, 175, Biloxi, Miss. (Mercy Cross/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 100 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue, the second-best place-kicker mentioned . . . Two-time junior college all-America . . . Earned first-team, all-America honors by the National Junior College Athletic Association . . . Also selected first-team, all-Region XXIII place-kicker by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges . . . Named one of the top 25 junior college prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the only place-kicker on the list . . . Led Gulf Coast to back-to-back state junior college titles and a 22-2 overall record . . . Connected on 14-of-19 field goal attempts, including a season-long and school-best 55-yarder, and 55 of 57 points after touchdown during his sophomore season . . . His 97 total points led the nation’s junior college in that category . . . Named pre-season, first-team, all-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association prior to his sophomore season . . . Earned first-team, all-America by both the NJCAA and the JC Gridwire . . . Made 19-of-25 field goal attempts as a freshman place-kicker for head coach Steve Campbell at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College . . .. . . Made a then-school record 52-yard field goal . . . Helped the Bulldogs to a 12-0 overall record and a share of the national junior college championship . . . Other top scholarship offer: Hawaii.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played running back, defensive back and place-kicker for head coach Rocky Gaudin at Mercy Cross High School in Biloxi, Miss. . . . Helped Mercy Cross to a three-year, 20-7 record including playoff berths in his final two prep seasons . . . Named first-team, all-state following his junior and senior seasons as a place-kicker . . . As a senior for the Crusaders, 60 of his 72 kickoffs resulted in touchback . . . Also named all-district as a running back . . . Also an honor roll student in the high school classroom.

PERSONAL: Born Sean Michael Brauchle, 2/3/89, in Biloxi, Miss. . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Brauchle . . . His father also played football at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Chad Bumphis, WR, 5-10, 193, Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo)

HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-America Bowl game following his senior season . . . Ranked No. 4 among the most impressive 15 players on the West squad for his practice work and game performance that week . . . Was called the “star of most of the practices” during the week . . . Listed as the No. 16 wide receiver available in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site had him rated as the 109th-best prospect, regardless of position, in the country . . . Ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Mississippi by Rivals . . . Listed No. 23 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top wide receivers in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Rated the No. 33 wide receiver prospect in the country following his senior season by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Credited with running a 4.4-second, 40-yard dash and a 34-inch vertical jump by that site . . . Ranked No. 2 on the Clarion-Ledger’s list of the 10 most wanted high school prospects in the state of Mississippi . . . Ranked No. 5 on ESPN.com’s list of the state’s top players . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game . . . Selected first-team, all-state by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper as an all-purpose back after his senior year . . . Named to that newspaper’s Dandy Dozen prior to his senior season, symbolic of being one of the top 12 players in the state of Mississippi . . . During his career, he had 2,034 receiving yards, 1,348 rushing yards, and 568 yards passing . . . He also totaled 1,429 yards in returns and scored 10 touchdowns on special teams . . . Accounted for 2,207 yards and 23 touchdowns for head coach Eric Collins at Tupelo (Miss.) High School . . . Rushed for 611 yards and had 617 yards receiving that season . . . Scored seven touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns . . . He also threw for 348 yards and six TDs . . . Hauled in 37 passes for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior campaign . . . As a sophomore, had 31 catches for 630 yards, a 20.3-yard average, and five touchdowns . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama, Florida, LSU, Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Texas Tech . . . Committed to Mississippi State in January 2009.

PERSONAL: Born Chad Lemar Bumphis, 10-18-89 . . . Son of Ms. Dorothy Bumphis.

Montrell Conner, RB, 6-2, 215, Monroe, La. (Ouachita Parish)

HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Bowl in Orlando, Fla., following his senior season . . . Ranked as the No. 16 “athlete” in the country by recruiting web site Rivals.com, the No. 11 prospect, regardless of position, in the state of Louisiana . . . He was the top-ranked athlete in the state by Rivals.com . . . Listed No. 20 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top running backs in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Selected to the G&W Recruiting Report’s Pre-season Top 250 prospects nationally, one of the top 25 defensive back/athletes on the list . . . Rated the No. 31 running back in the country by Scout.com, which also credited him with running a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash . . . Considered the No. 34 running back in the nation by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . Picked as the No. 18 prospect in the state of Louisiana regardless of position by that web site, the No. 2 “athlete” in their ranking . . . Named first-team, Class 5A all-state following his senior season for head coach John Carr at Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, La. . . . Rushed for 1,961 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior . . . Rushed 205 times for 1,139 yards, a 5.6-yard per carry average, and 13 touchdowns during his junior season . . . Scored nine more touchdowns on receptions and returns . . . Solid high school student with a 3.0 grade point average . . . Other top scholarship offers: Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Oregon, Southern California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Miami, and Colorado . . . Committed to MSU in August 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Montrell Conner, 2-24-90 . . . Nicknamed “Choo-Choo” . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Robinson.

Fletcher Cox, DL, 6-4, 240, Yazoo City, Miss. (Yazoo City)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 5 weak side defensive end in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site credits him with the second-fastest first step among all defensive ends and a 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash . . . Rivals moved him among its top 100 players overall in the country in its final post-season ranking . . . He is also considered the No. 2 prospect in the state of Mississippi by Rivals, the top defensive player on the chart . . . Considered the No. 17 defensive end prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Listed No. 31 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top defensive linemen in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Named first-team, all-state on the defensive line by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper for all classifications . . . Ranked No. 4 on the Clarion-Ledger’s list of the 10 most wanted high school prospects in the state of Mississippi, the top defensive lineman on the list . . . Also selected to that newspaper’s Dandy Dozen list, symbolic of being one of the top 12 high school players in Mississippi . . . Made 104 total tackles during his senior season, including 10 quarterback sacks . . . Also had one pass interception and a fumble recovery . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior season for head coach Tony Woolfolk at Yazoo City (Miss.) High School . . . Selected to the G&W Recruiting Report’s Pre-season Top 250 prospects nationally, one of the top 56 offensive and defensive linemen on the list . . . During his junior campaign, he had 103 total tackles, including 11 quarterback sacks and two pass interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown . . . Other top scholarship offers: LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Colorado . . . Committed to MSU in April 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Fletcher Cox, 12-13-90 . . . Son of Mrs. Melissa Cox Bright.

Billy Hamilton, WR, 5-10, 170, Taylorsville, Miss. (Taylorsville)

HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior campaign . . . Named first-team, all-state as an all-purpose back by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger . . . Rated with the top 40 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Credited with running a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash by the national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . Excelled at wide receiver, free safety and as a kick returner for head coach Bud Blackledge at Taylorsville (Miss.) High School . . . Helped lead the Tar Tars to the Class 2A state title game as a senior . . . Finished second in the state in 2A with 49 receptions for 742 yards, a 15.1-yard average, and led all 2A receivers with 18 touchdown catches as a senior receiver on offense . . . Had 68 tackles and was second among all Class 2A defensive backs with seven interceptions . . . Had 1,362 all-purpose yardage . . . Outstanding three-sport athlete who was a Dandy Dozen selection in basketball by the Clarion-Ledger, symbolic of being one of the top 12 basketball players in Mississippi . . . Also considered a potential high draft pick in the Major League Baseball draft . . . Other top scholarship offer: LSU and Ole Miss (both baseball) . . . Committed to MSU in December 2009.

PERSONAL: Born Billy Fanelli Hamilton, 9-9-90 . . . Son of Ms. Palena Booth.

Brandon Heavens, WR, 5-10, 170, Bessemer, Ala. (Jess Lanier)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 33 “athlete” in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also has him listed as the No. 15 prospect in Alabama, regardless of position, the top “athlete” listed and the second-best wide receiver . . . Played in just five games during his senior season for Jess Lanier, a campaign cut short by a high ankle sprain injury . . . Still caught 14 passes for 330 yards, a 23.6-yard average, and five touchdowns . . . Also rushed 21 times for 136 yards, a 6.5-yard per carry average . . . Had transferred to Lanier following his junior season at Bessemer Academy . . . Selected to the Birmingham News newspaper Super Senior list prior to his senior season . . . Led Bessemer Academy to back-to-back 13-0 records during his sophomore and junior seasons . . . Named first-team, all-state by the Alabama Independent Schools Association following his junior season at Bessemer Academy and selected to the Birmingham News Super Metro team for all classifications as a wide receiver . . . Was selected the state of Alabama Back of the Year after accounting for 3,119 all-purpose yards as a junior . . . Rushed for 730 yards, had 1,236 yards receiving, and more than 1,000 yards in punt and kickoff returns during that junior campaign . . . Scored 22 touchdowns . . . Credited with running a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Also a standout on his high school basketball team . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn and Kentucky.

PERSONAL: Born Brandon Heavens, 4-28-91 . . . Son of Mrs. Debbie Mixon.

Mardrecas Hood, WR, 6-3, 180, Reform, Ala. (Pickens County)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as the No. 65 “athlete” in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also listed him No. 32 in the state of Alabama, the No. 2 “athlete” in the state . . . Named first-team, Class 2A all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association following a standout senior season . . . That organization also selected him as the runner-up for that division’s Mr. Football . . . Named to the Tuscaloosa News Super 11, symbolic of being one of the top 11 players in that newspaper’s area . . . Made 39 pass receptions for 1,057 yards, a 27.1-yard average per catch, and 19 touchdowns during his senior season at Pickens County High School in Reform, Ala. . . . Recorded 45 tackles on defense during that senior campaign . . . Led Pickens County to an 11-1 record in 2008 . . . Named honorable mention all-state by the ASWA following an injury-plagued junior campaign for the Tornadoes . . . Missed four games that year with an ankle injury . . . Had 16 receptions for 505 yards, a 31.6-yard average, and six touchdowns . . . Also had one rushing TD . . . Defensively, he had 39 tackles and four pass interceptions . . . Had 833 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore . . . Also an outstanding basketball player on the high school level, leading his prep team to back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances . . . Other top scholarship offer: Alabama . . . Committed to Mississippi State in February 2009.

Heath Hutchins, P, 6-2, 215, Saltillo, Miss. (Saltillo/Itawamba Community College)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 70 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue, the second-best punter mentioned . . . Punted 93 times for a 44-yard average during his two seasons as a junior college punter . . . Selected first-team, junior college all-America punter by the National Junior College Athletic Association . . . Chosen first-team, All-Region XXIII punter by the NJCAA . . . Named pre-season All-America prior to his sophomore campaign . . . Named one of the top 25 junior college prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the only punter on the list . . . Led the nation in punting during his sophomore campaign, averaging 46.1 yards on 69 kicks, with a season-best 69-yard boot . . . Had a string of six straight games during his sophomore season in which he pinned the opponent inside the 2-yard line, and 25 of 42 inside the 20 for the year . . . Also handled the kicking duties the final five games of that season and missed just one field goal . . . Named all-state by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges following his freshman season . . . Led the state of Mississippi and ranked sixth nationally in punting as a freshman, averaging 41.8 yards per punt . . . Had a season best 57-yarder during his first JUCO season . . . Thirty of those 55 punts came to rest inside the opponent 20-yard line . . . Played for head coach Jeff Terrill at Itawamba (Miss.) Community College . . . Also an outstanding student in the junior college classroom . . . Committed to MSU in November 2008.

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 1 punter at the Ray Guy Punting Academy following his senior season . . . Played at Saltillo (Miss.) High School as a freshman, junior and senior . . . Spent his sophomore year in high school at Wynne, Arkansas.

PERSONAL: Born Heath Hutchins, 3/6/88 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Hutchins . . . Also a competition duck caller and outdoors photographer.

Gabriel Jackson, OL, 6-4, 295, Liberty, Miss. (Amite County)

HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked as the No. 52 offensive tackle prospect in the country by recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Considered the third-best offensive lineman in Mississippi by Scout.com, which credits him with a 5.1-second time in the 40-yard dash . . . Rivals.com has him ranked as the No. 85 offensive tackle prospect in the nation . . . That site also has him ranked as the No. 28 prospect in the state of Mississippi, the fourth-best offensive lineman on the chart . . . Rated with the top 40 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Has started both ways at tackle since his freshman season . . . Other top scholarship offers: LSU, Auburn, and Ole Miss . . . Solid 2.8 grade point average in the high school classroom . . . Committed to MSU in July 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Gabriel C. Jackson, 7-12-91 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jackson . . . His father was his high school coach.

Maurice Langston, DB, 5-10, 185, Meridian, Miss. (NE Lauderdale/East Central CC

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 24 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Named first-team all-Region XXIII and first-team, all-state by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges as a wide receiver for head coach Steve Cheatam at East Central (Miss.) Community College . . . Also named first-team, all-Region as a return specialist . . . Rated #3 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger list of the state’s top junior college prospects following his sophomore season . . . Led the nation in touchdowns, scoring 21 as a sophomore as both a kick returner and wide receiver . . . Caught 44 passes for 658 yards, a 15-yard average, and seven touchdowns . . . Also rushed 54 times for 267 yards and 10 more TDs . . . Averaged 31 yards per punt return during his sophomore campaign for the Warriors, leading the nation in that category, and scoring two touchdowns . . . Added 22 yards per kickoff return and another score . . . Credited with running a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash by recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Committed to MSU in December 2008 . . . Other top scholarship offer: Kentucky.

ARKANSAS STATE: Redshirted his true freshman season as a defensive back.

Cameron Lawrence, DB, 6-2, 205, Coldwater, Miss. (Magnolia Heights)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 50 “athlete” prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also listed him as the No. 15 recruit in the state of Mississippi, the third-best defensive back on the chart . . . National recruiting web site Scout.com rates him the No. 84 safety prospect in the country . . . Named second-team, all-state in all classifications at linebacker by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . That newspaper listed him among their Dandy Dozen prior to his senior season, symbolic of being one of the top 12 players in the state . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Credited with running a 4.66 40-yard dash at the New Orleans Scout.com combine prior to his junior season . . . Also credited with a 265-pound bench press by Scout.com . . . Selected to the Mississippi Association of Private Schools all-star team following his senior campaign and captained the North squad . . . Helped lead coach Cliff Young’s Magnolia Heights’ team to a 22-2 record during his final two seasons of football, playing both quarterback and defensive back . . . Accounted for 1,854 yards during his junior season and scored 26 touchdowns as a quarterback on offense . . . Also amassed 138 tackles and four pass interceptions while playing defense . . . Named all-state by the Mississippi Private School Association following that junior campaign . . . Helped Magnolia Heights win a state title during his sophomore season . . . Also ran track for the Chiefs, finishing second in the state in the 300 meter hurdles . . .Helped lead the school’s baseball team to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore . . . Outstanding student in the high school classroom with a 3.7 grade point average . . . Other top scholarship offers: Oklahoma State and Duke . . . Committed to MSU in March 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Cameron Aaron Lawrence, 1/20/91, in Altus, Okla. . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lawrence . . . His brother Addison also plays for the Bulldogs.

Johnathan McKenzie, DL, 6-4, 235, Starkville, Miss. (Starkville Academy)

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first-team, all-state in all classifications at tight end by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper . . . Rated with the top 40 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Chosen first-team, all-state by the Mississippi Private Schools Association . . . Named to the MPSA All-Star game as a senior . . . Was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the North squad in that game . . . Credited with running a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also credits him with a 315-pound bench press . . . Two-way player who also starred at defensive end for head coach Brian Sims at Starkville (Miss.) Academy . . . Had 27 pass receptions for 473 yards, a 17.5-yard average, and six touchdowns during his senior campaign . . . Had 13 quarterback sacks while playing defense . . . Also an all-state performer on the Starkville Academy basketball team . . . Outstanding student in the high school class room with a perfect 4.0 grade point average . . . Committed to Mississippi State in December 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Johnathan Tyler McKenzie, 5-24-90 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McKenzie . . . His father lettered in football at Mississippi State from 1974-77.

Pernell McPhee, DL, 6-4, 270, Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee/Itawamba [Miss.] CC)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 21 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Two-time junior college all-America who led the state’s junior colleges in quarterback sacks as both a freshman and sophomore, totaling 33 sacks during his junior college career . . . Earned first-team junior college all-America recognition by the National Junior College Athletic Association following a star-studded sophomore season for head coach Jeff Terrill at Itawamba (Miss.) Community College . . . Two-time all-state and all-Region XXIII player . . . Named first-team, All-Region XXIII at defensive end . . . Rated #2 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger list of the state’s top junior college prospects following his sophomore season, the top defensive lineman on the list . . . Totaled a nation-leading 13.5 quarterback sacks during that sophomore season and 23.5 tackles for loss . . . Named first-team, pre-season junior college all-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association and J.C. Gridwire Magazine prior to his sophomore campaign . . . Earned second-team all-America by the NJCAA and J.C. Gridwire following his freshman season at ICC . . . Totaled 67 tackles that season and led the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges with 19.5 quarterback sacks during that first season . . . Also had 37 tackles for loss . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Kansas State and West Virginia . . . Committed to MSU in July 2008.

HIGH SCHOOL: Only played one year of high school football . . . Starred on both sides of the football for head coach Leroy Foster at Pahokee (Fla.) High School . . . Played offensive tackle and defensive end for the Muckers . . . Registered 75 total tackles, including 35 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback sacks during his senior season . . . Also forced 12 fumbles . . . Helped lead Pahokee to a 14-0 record and the Florida State Class 2B Championship . . . Named all-state following that season . . . Also a two-year starter in basketball on the prep level . . . Other top scholarship offers: South Florida and Central Florida . . . Signed with Southern Mississippi out of high school.

PERSONAL: Born Pernell McPhee, 12/17/88 . . . Grandson of Ms. Lela Osborne.

LaDarius Perkins, RB, 5-10, 195, Greenville, Miss. (St. Joseph)

HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game . . . Ranked as the No. 37 all-purpose back in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also has him listed as the No. 24 prospect in Mississippi following his senior season . . . Rivals credits him with a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash and with a 330-pound bench press . . . Rated as the No. 77 running back in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Named second-team, all-state in all classifications at running back by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper . . . Earned first-team, all-state in Class 1A by the Mississippi Association of Coaches . . . Rushed 139 times for 1,915 yards, an amazing 13.8-yard per carry average, and 29 touchdowns, during his senior season . . . Added another 400 yards receiving and five more scores for head coach Phillip Wasson at Greenville St. Joseph High School . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . He led St. Joseph to an 8-4 record and into the second round of the state playoffs during his junior season . . . Made 38 tackles and four pass interceptions while playing defense . . . Also a standout in track, he is the Class 1A defending state champion in both the 100 and 200 meters . . . In the 100 meters, he ran a 10.9, breaking a state record that had stood for 30 years . . . Other top scholarship offers: Auburn and BYU . . . Committed to Mississippi State in January 2009.

PERSONAL: Born LaDarius Robert Perkins, 9-18-90 . . . Son of Robert Perkins and Vanessa Perkins.

Tyler Russell, QB, 6-4, 200, Meridian, Miss. (Meridian)

HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the Parade Magazine All-America team following his senior season . . . Ranked as the No. 12 pro-style quarterback in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also has him rated as the No. 8 prospect in the state of Mississippi, the top-rated quarterback . . . Rated the No. 13 quarterback prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Listed No. 15 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top quarterbacks in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Named Mr. Football for the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following a banner season . . . Also selected the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Mississippi . . . Ranked No. 1 on the Clarion-Ledger’s list of the 10 most wanted high school prospects in the state of Mississippi . . . Named first-team, all-state at quarterback in all classifications by that newspaper . . . Led Meridian High School to the Class 5A state championship as a senior . . . Completed 206-of-314 passes (.656) for 3,284 yards, 40 touchdowns and just five interceptions . . . Led his high school team to the Class 5A state championship to culminate his senior season . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior season . . . Selected to the G&W Recruiting Report’s Pre-season Top 250 prospects nationally, one of the top 30 quarterbacks on the list . . . Selected to the Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen prior to his senior campaign, symbolic of being one of the top 12 players in the state of Mississippi . . . Named second-team, all-state by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his junior season . . . Completed 146-of-274 passes (.533) for 2,481 yards, 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions during an injury-plagued junior season for the Wildcats . . . Also rushed for 514 yards and five TDs as a junior . . . Helped that team to the state semifinals as a junior . . . Led head coach Larry Weems’ Meridian (Miss.) High School team to the Class 5A state championship during his sophomore season and to the state title game during an 11-3 junior campaign . . . Outstanding student on the high school level with a 3.3 grade point average . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama and South Carolina . . . Committed to MSU in April 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Tyler Ryan Russell, 12-6-90 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Russell.

Ricco Sanders, WR, 5-11, 175, Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 51 wide receiver prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site has him listed as the No. 19 prospect in the state, regardless of position, the second-best wide receiver . . . Rivals credits him with a 4.4 timing in the 40-yard dash . . . Ranked as the No. 88 wide receiver prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Called the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the state of South Carolina by that web site . . . Selected to the Mobile Press Register’s Super Southeast 120 . . . Helped lead Byrnes to the Class 4A state title following his senior season . . . Caught 42 passes for 765 yards, an 18.2-yard per catch average, and six touchdowns during his senior season for head coach Chris Miller at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C. . . . Helped lead the Rebels to the South Carolina state title as a junior, catching seven passes for 89 yards in the championship game . . . Caught 58 passes for 908 yards, a 15.6-yard average, and 13 touchdowns for the year . . . Other top scholarship offers: Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Kansas . . . Committed to Mississippi State in February 2009.

PERSONAL: Born Ricco Sanders, 3-15-91 . . . Son of Mrs. Jackie Sanders.

William Shumpert, RB, 6-0, 238, Fulton, Miss. (Itawamba Agricultural)

HIGH SCHOOL: Considered the No. 7 fullback prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also listed him as the No. 17 recruit in the state of Mississippi . . . Ranked as the No. 14 fullback prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Named first-team, all-state on the defensive line by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper in all classifications following his senior campaign . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Two-way standout who starred at fullback and nose guard . . . Made 96 tackles on the defensive line, he was credited with 31 tackles for loss, including 13.5 quarterback sacks . . . Also rushed 56 times for 278 yards, nearly 5 yards per carry, with three touchdowns as a running back . . . Added five pass receptions for 81 yards and another score . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior season . . . Rated the No. 13 high school fullback prospect in the country by recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . Named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal for his work on the defensive line for head coach Jamie Mitchell following his junior season . . . Earned Division I-4A all-region by the Mississippi Association of Coaches following his junior season . . . Other top scholarship offer: Ole Miss . . . Committed to MSU in July 2008.

PERSONAL: Born William Dake Shumpert, 12-4-89

Deontae Skinner, LB, 6-1, 234, Macon, Miss. (Noxubee County)

HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked as the No. 28 strong linebacker prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Listed as the No. 39 weak side linebacker in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also rates him the No. 19 player, regardless of position, in the state of Mississippi, the top-ranked linebacker on the chart . . . Credited with a 305-pound bench press and running a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash by Rivals . . . Named first-team, all-state on the defensive line by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper in all classifications following his senior campaign . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Played defensive end as a senior for head coach M.C. Miller at Noxubee County in Macon, Miss. . . . Led his prep team to the Class 4A championship as a senior . . . Made 134 total tackles, including 28 tackles for loss, 11 of which were quarterback sacks . . . Also credited with two forced fumbles . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game following his senior season . . . Helped lead Noxubee County to the state title game as a junior . . . Made 122 total tackles, including five quarterback sacks, during his junior season at Noxubee County High School in Macon, Miss. . . . Other top scholarship offer: Ole Miss . . . Committed to MSU in July 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Deontae Skinner, 12-18-90 . . . Grandson of Georgia Mae Skinner.

Darius Slay, DB, 6-0, 175, Brunswick, Ga. (Brunswick)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 116 running back prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com, in part because he missed half his junior season with a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee . . . Timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Jacksonville Scout.com combine . . . Also measured a 37-inch vertical jump . . . Named all-state at defensive back by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper . . . Chosen to play in the state of Georgia North-South High School all-star game at Columbus, Ga. . . . Accounted for 1,300 yards offensively and 15 touchdowns, and had six interceptions on defense, returning two for touchdowns during his senior campaign for head coach Victor Floyd at Brunswick (Ga.) High School . . . Rushed 78 times for 526 yards, a 6.7-yard per carry average, and six touchdowns in five games during his injury plagued junior campaign . . . Rushed 142 times for 1,127 yards, a 7.9-yard per carry average, and 13 touchdowns during his sophomore season for the Pirates . . . Also had four pass interceptions on the defensive side of the ball . . . As a freshman, he rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns, and had seven pass interceptions . . . Also a standout in basketball and track, where he ran the 100 and 200 meters . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama and Kentucky . . . Committed to Mississippi State in January 2009.

PERSONAL: Born Darius D. Slay, 1-1-91 . . . Son of Mr. Darius Slay, Sr. and Ms. Stephanie Lowe.

Chris Smith, WR, 6-1, 195, Meridian, Miss. (Meridian)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as the No. 31 wide receiver prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com, which included him among its top 250 players nationally . . . That site also considers him the No. 7 high school student-athlete available in the state of Mississippi . . . Listed No. 33 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top wide receivers in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Ranked as the No. 76 wide receiver prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Physical, strong receiver who is credited with a 225-pound bench press maximum by Scout . . . Named first-team, all-state in all classifications at wide receiver by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Helped lead head coach Larry Weems’ Meridian (Miss.) High School team to a 14-1 overall record and the Class 5A state title as a senior . . . Caught 70 passes for 1,076 yards, a 15.4-yard average, and 10 touchdowns as a senior . . . As a junior, he hauled in 54 passes for 876 yards, a 16.2-yard average per catch, and seven touchdowns . . . Also played soccer, basketball and ran track on the high school level . . . Committed to Mississippi State in April 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Christopher Ben Smith, 1-21-90 . . . Son of Ms. Lisa Moore.

Dennis Thames, DB, 5-11, 185, Louisville, Miss. (Louisville)

HIGH SCHOOL: Considered the No. 20 “athlete” in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also has him ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the state of Mississippi, the top “athlete” on the chart . . . Rated as the No. 40 safety prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Credited with a 230-pound bench press by Rivals . . . Named first-team, all-state in the defensive backfield by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper . . . Ranked No. 9 on the Clarion-Ledger’s list of the 10 most wanted high school prospects in the state of Mississippi . . . Picked to that publication’s Dandy Dozen, symbolic of being one of the top 12 players in the state prior to his senior season . . . Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game . . . Helped lead head coach Brad Peterson’s Louisville (Miss.) High School to the Class 3A state championship during his senior season . . . Named the game’s Most Valuable Player after scoring all three touchdowns for the Wildcats . . . A star on both sides of the football, he accounted for 1,600 yards on offense and 19 touchdowns, playing mostly wide receiver . . . Had 677 yards rushing and eight touchdowns and another 532 yards and eight more scores . . . Defensively, he made 97 tackles with five pass interceptions and four defensive TDs . . . As a junior, had 39 catches for 636 yards, a 16.3-yard average, and eight touchdowns . . . Other top scholarship offers: Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Michigan . . . Committed to Mississippi State in January 2009.

PERSONAL: Born Dennis (Duh-NICE) Deunta Thames (TIMS), 5-18-90 . . . His uncle Marcus Thames is a Major League Baseball player with the Detroit Tigers.

Sam Watts, OL, 6-4, 290, Conyers, Ga. (Salem)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as the No. 12 offensive center candidate in the country coming out of high school by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site also listed him No. 50, regardless of position, in the state of Georgia following his senior season . . . Ranked as the No. 66 offensive tackle prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com . . . Played four years of varsity football at Salem High School in Conyers, Ga., starting the final three seasons of his career on the offensive line for head coach Chad Estes . . . Played offensive guard as a freshman, offensive tackle as sophomore, and center the final two seasons . . . Named all-state during his senior season . . . Helped lead Salem to a pair of regional championships and nine-win seasons as a freshman and junior . . . . Outstanding student in the high school classroom with a 3.96 grade point average, 12th in his senior class . . . Committed to MSU in February 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Samuel Alton Watts, 10/10/90, in Starkville, Miss. . . . Son of Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lin Watts, who are Mississippi State University graduates.

Chris White, LB, 6-4, 235, Vancleave, Miss. (Vancleave/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Listed No. 29 on Super Prep Magazine’s ranking of the top junior college prospects in the country in its post-season All-America issue . . . Named first-team all-America and first-team all-Region XXIII by the National Junior College Athletic Association following his sophomore season . . . Selected the Mississippi Most Valuable Player in the inaugural Mississippi Bowl, which pitted Mississippi Gulf Coast against Georgia Military Institute, two of the premier junior college programs in the country . . . Rated #7 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger list of the state’s top junior college prospects following his sophomore season, the top linebacker on the list . . . In addition to being a stalwart on defense for MGCCC in that game, he caught a touchdown pass as a blocking back in a short yardage situation . . . Led his junior college team to back-to-back state junior college championships, making 204 total tackles . . . Had four pass interceptions and four fumble recoveries, returning three for touchdown . . . Helped head coach Steve Campbell’s Gulf Coast team to a 10-2 record and to a No.4 finish in the final NJCAA poll . . . Recorded more than 100 tackles on the season for the Bulldogs . . . Picked up a fumble and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown against Pearl River Community College in the state title game . . . Returned another fumble 81 yards for a score . . . Also intercepted two passes . . . Named first-team pre-season all-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association prior to his sophomore season for head coach Steve Campbell’s Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College team . . . Led MGCCC to the junior college national championship, playing middle linebacker, during his freshman season . . . Totaled 87 tackles for the Bulldogs that year, earning second-team all-state recognition . . . Also had a pair of interceptions and scored two touchdowns . . . Credited with running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash by recruiting web site ESPN.com . . . Other top scholarship offer: South Florida . . . Committed to MSU in August 2008.

Nickoe Whitley, DB, 5-11, 195, Jackson, Miss. (Provine)

HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked as the No. 80 safety prospect in the country by national recruiting web site Scout.com, in part because he missed most of his senior season with an injury . . . Suffered both a torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament in his knee two games into his final high school campaign . . . Considered the No. 74 “athlete” in the country by national recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . That site rated him the No. 22 prospect in the state of Mississippi . . . Rated with the top 25 high school prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Credited with running a 4.6-second, 40-yard dash by recruiting web site Rivals.com . . . Standout two-way player in the Jackson high school prep ranks, he started at quarterback and defensive back during his high school career for head coach Willie Collins at Provine High School in Jackson . . . Had accounted for four touchdowns offensively and returned a fumble 55 yards for a score defensively before his senior injury . . . Rushed and passed for 1,701 yards during his junior season while on offense . . . Made 40 tackles with five interceptions as a junior on defense . . . Began his high school career at Murrah High School in Jackson, Miss. . . . Other top scholarship offers: Ole Miss . . . Committed to MSU in June 2008.

PERSONAL: Born Nickoe E. Whitley, 10-2-90 . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Nickoe Whitley.