Football rules changes for the upcoming year

Among the changes includes contact with a helmetless player, interference rules (both pass and fair catch)

Here is the total list of changes:

2 Collierville Dragons to play at the next level

DT DJ Barrow has signed with Rhodes and DE Ricky Hann will play at Bethel. Congrats to both of these young men.

Here is some video:

DJ Barrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axlwm5MfI2E

Ricky Hann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgRtrtXNt-c

Football at the next level

This area is known for its basketball but I am here to tell you that football is doing just fine. At the end of the most recently completed 2012 football season, there were a total of 391 area players on college football rosters. This list was compiled using all 64 schools that we cover here at Shelby Metro Sports which include 8 North Mississippi schools-Center Hill, DeSoto Central, Hernando, Horn Lake, Lake Cormorant, Lewisburg, Olive Branch and Southaven, 3 Eastern Arkansas schools-Marion, West Memphis and West Memphis Christian, 2 Fayette County schools-Fayette Academy and Fayette Ware, 3 Tipton County schools-Brighton, Covington and Munford and all of the schools in Shelby County. If there is someone who is not on our list, please let us know.  We checked each school's official website for our info but we're not perfect.

The University of Memphis is listed first and then all of the schools after that are in alphabetical order.

Memphis

Chris Allen (Southwind)

Lonnie Ballentine (Southwind)

Sam Billings (FACS)

Drew Bishop (St. George's)

Derrick Bobo (Whitehaven)

Al Bond (Southwind)

Latarius Brady (East)

Hunter Brooks (Germantown)

Alan Cross (Millington)

Mose Frazier (Whitehaven)

Artaves Gibson (Mitchell)

Kendrick Golden (Southwind)

Kevin Green (Wooddale)

Charles Harris (Whitehaven)

Paulo Henriques (West Memphis)

Ricky Holloway (Fayette Ware)

Roderick Howard (Harding Academy)

Mitch Huelsing (Munford)

Daniel Hurd (Wooddale)

Corey Jones (Mitchell)

Melvin Jones (Bolton)

Keiwone Malone (Mitchell)

Clarence Marshall (Bolton)

Tony Mays (Whitehaven)

Carlton McCord (MUS)

Wynton McManis (Olive Branch)

Trever Miller (Munford)

Carl Mitchell (Wooddale)

Leonard Pegues (Olive Branch)

Tarondal Phillips (Bishop Byrne)

Cody Quon (St. Benedict)

Terry Redden (Whitehaven)

Christopher Roberson (Central Baptist)

Jimmy Robinson (Fairley)

Marcus Rucker (Whitehaven)

Chris Schuetz (Southaven)

Dontrinell Scott (Wooddale)

Deandre Simmons (White Station)

Jeremy Singler (CBHS)

Cannon Smith (Olive Branch)

Tyler Spurlock (SBEC)

Sam Thomas (CBHS)

Sam Watson (Tipton Rosemark)

Austin Weaver (Houston)

Jerrick White (Arlington)

Willie Williams (Brighton)

Millington Trojan RB signs with Bethel

Antonio Webber will play football at Bethel in the fall. Webber rushed for over 1400 yds and 14 touchdowns this year including a school record 94 yd run against Munford (video below).  Webber was also selected as one of the offensive MVP's of the Tennessee squad in the TN vs KY Border Bowl All Star game that was held in January.

Here are some video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhSlhkZXvM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd_zqBITtiE

Two Olive Branch players on watch list for the state of Mississippi

This is from Rod Walker, who writes for the Courier-Ledger in Jackson. Follow him on Twitter at @rwalker1906

After talking to college recruiters and high school coaches, here are 20 players in the Class of 2014 in Mississippi you may want to keep an eye on for next season.  (Listed in alphabetical order. )

Curtis Akins, Byhalia, LB 6-2, 215
Akins recorded a whopping 245 tackles on his way to earning second-team All-State honors.

Genard Avery, Grenada, LB 6-2, 235
Blessed with power and size, Avery could play inside linebacker or  as an interior lineman in college. Recorded a team-best 111 tackles, including 5 TFLs and 6 sacks.

D.K. Buford, Lafayette, RB 6-0, 195
Versatile speedster accounted for 1,450 all-purpose yards and 16 TDs; Likely willl play slot receiver in college.

Alfred Dickens, Olive Branch, LB 6-1,195
Ball-hawking Dickens could move to safety in college; Recorded 132 tackles, including 9 TFLs as a junior.

Ken Edwards, Neshoba Central, DE 6-6, 255
Rockets’ DE recorded 86 tackles and 4 sacks as a junior.

Jamoral Graham, Newton County, WR/DB 5-11, 170
Speedy Graham can play on either side of the ball, but his confidence on defense may steer him to that side.

Gerri Green, Greenville, LB 6-4, 215
Recorded 89 tackles, including 7.5 TFLs. Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Auburn offers.

C.J. Hampton, Meridian, S 6-1, 195
Physical safety who is strong and loves to deliver the big hit. Committed to Ole Miss.

Grant Harris, Clinton, DE 6-5, 270
Rangy Harris has plenty of upside and already has offers from Ole Miss, MSU and West Virginia

Jesse Jackson, Petal, WR/DB 6-1, 190
Big-play receiver averaged 21.6 yards per catch (Caught 39 passes for 842 yards) and scored 11 TDs

Terrence Malone, South Panola, OL 6-4, 310
Malone has size and strength combo that has him next in line to be next big thing coming out of Batesville.

Chris Matthews, Olive Branch, LB 6-5, 225
Rangy Matthews will likely draw comparisons to former Olive Branch and current NFLer K.J. Wright.  Offered by Auburn.

Markell Pack, Purvis, WR 6-2, 180
Smooth, athletic receiver could be state’s most talented receiver next season. Caught 44 passes for 770 yards and 7 TDs as a junior.

Breeland Speaks, Callaway, LB 6-3, 255
Projected by some as a linebacker and others as a defensive tackle, recorded team-high 136 tackles as a junior. Offered by Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Rod Taylor, Callaway, OL 6-4, 315
Extremely athletic for his size, Taylor is arguably state’s top prospect in the Class of 2014. Already has offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama and Southern Cal.

Devin Voorhies, Wilkinson Co., ATH 6-2, 185
Playmaking Voorhies top skil position player in class. Rushed for 700 yards and threw for 1,530 yards. Committed to LSU.

Shareef White, Grenada, LB 6-1, 220
White, with plenty of speed, could play safety in college. Recorded 110 tackles and 4 sacks. Already offered by Ole Miss.

Aeris Williams, West Point, RB 6-1, 195
Strong, bruising runner rushed for 1,519 yards as a junior, leading Green Wave to the 5A semifinals.

Ronald Walker, Callaway, WR/DB 6-2, 195
Physical 2-way player recorded 80 tackles, 4 sacks and an interception. Committed to Ole Miss.

Tito Windham, Harrison Central, DB 6-0, 190
Super athletic Windham plays QB and DB for the Red Rebels, but likely will line up on defense in college. Plenty of speed. Started at safety at Hattiesburg as sophomore.

More updates from NSD

Congrats to all of the young men who signed on the dotted line and will continue to do so to continue their education and get the opportunity to play football at the next level, whatever that level may be. Everyone here at Shelby Metro Sports is committed to getting the word out about ALL of these young men not just the ones who sign with major D-1 schools. As of this moment, we have had 119 signees from the Shelby Metro area.

If there is someone who has signed with a school that we don't know about, please let us know. Send us a message on Twitter @ShelbyMetroPrep or e-mail us at shelbymetrosports@gmail.com.

Here are some more signees:

Another update from NSD

Here is the latest information that we have. If you know of someone that we are missing, send us a message on Twitter @ShelbyMetroPrep

Arlington
QB-Drew Reed-Lafayette
WR-Justin Boring-Mississippi College
DL-Daxton Speer-Mississippi College
OL-Cole Walker-Tusculum

Craigmont
RB-Walter Crutchfield-Memphis
LB-Dorian Robinson-Bethel
WR-Damecio Ewing-Coahoma JC
DL-Devin Williams-Coahoma JC

Germantown
RB-Justin Roberson-Austin Peay
WR-Caylon Weathers-UT Martin

DeSoto Central
L-Nic Thomas-NW Miss CC

Fairley
RB-Dominique Smith-Coahoma JC
DE-Demaris Peppers-Minnesota
QB-Thurston Rubin-Maryville College
WR-Anzelo Scurlock-Maryville College
LB-Dedrick Guy-Arizona Western

CBHS
WR-Anthony Miller-Memphis

West Memphis
QB-Kody Frasure-Campbellsville (KY) University

Overton
WR-Ashton Cooper-Austin Peay
OL-Ladarius Golden-Cumberland

Southwind
K-Eric Berry II-Stillman College
DL-Jordan Barrett-Stillman College
WR-Justin Kelly-Lincoln University
DB-Dreyvon Mitchell-Alabama St
DL-Terrence Partee-Central Arkansas

Westwood
QB-Jerome Gilkey III-Garden City CC
OL-Jamal Glass-New Mexico Military Institute
LB-Jeremie Glass-Texas Southern
WR-Brandon Harrison-Benedict College
DB-Demetrius Johnson-Texas Southern
RB-Tevin Reid-Central Methodist University
RB-Charles Smith-The Marines
DB-Shelley Vinson-Campbellsville University

FACS
RB-Wesley Campbell-Carson Newman

More NSD updates

Fayette Academy
RB-Marcus Miller-Southern Illinois

Briarcrest
RB-Jay Moore-Wheaton College

Center Hill
DL-Deuce Lyons-NW Miss CC

Hernando
OL-Robby Gale-NE Miss CC

White Station
LB-Adrian Smith-Bethel

Central
DE-Frank Herron-LSU
WR-Latevius Rayford-Vanderbilt

ECS
WR-Alex Armfield-Ouachita Baptist
DB-Grayson McComb-Wheaton College

Ridgeway
OL-Michael Moore-Central Arkansas
OL-Lorenzo Young-Alcorn St
RB-Orlando Johnson-Morgan St
LB-Lenard Harden-Memphis

Westwood Has 8 to Sign

The Westwood Football Department held the Annual National Signing Day Program on the campus of Westwood High School at 9:30 AM.

"It's a great day to be a Longhorn" says 2nd Year Head Football Coach Anthony Jones, Jr.

"Coming off an outstanding season, nothing compares to the joy and excitement that I feel for all of these young men and their families, as they sign their national letter of intent on today."

Westwood High School had 8 young men declare their intentions today. This marks another milestone in Longhorns football.

Position/Name/School
QB-Jerome Gilkey III-Garden City Community College
OL-Jamal Glass-New Mexico Military Institute
LB-Jeremie Glass-Texas Southern
WR-Brandon Harrison-Benedict College
DB-Demetrius Johnson-Texas Southern
RB-Tevin Reid-Central Methodist University
RB-Charles Smith-The Marines
DB-Shelley Vinson-Campbellsville University

National Signing Day updates

A great number of kids are faxing in the NLI (National Letter of Intent) to various colleges and universities across the country. Here is what we have so far:

MUS
RB-Shane Tucker-MTSU
WR-Will Whitley-UT Martin
LB-Ford Howell-Wake Forest

Lewisburg
RB-Xavier Morris-Bethel
DL-Jeremy McMahon-Itawamba CC
DL-Jermaine McMahon-Itawamba CC
OL-Josh Rea-NW Miss CC
K-Matt Bratton-NW Miss CC

CBHS
TE-Robby Young-Memphis
OL-Alexander Karr-Memphis

St. Benedict
RB-Jordan Wilkins-Ole Miss

Olive Branch
ATH-Sam Craft-Memphis
DB-Dontrell Nelson-Memphis
DB-Jamil Collins-Memphis

2 WR's commit

Justin Boring of Arlington and Will Whitley of MUS will continue their careers on the next level. Boring will play at Mississippi College and Whitley will play at UT Martin. Boring was the area's leading receiver. He caught more passes (69) for more yards (1110) than any other Shelby Metro player and he was second in receiving touchdowns with 14. Whitley had 34 receptions on the year for 437 yds and 10 TD's. Congrats to both of these young men!

That brings our total to 60 area players that have committed to play at the next level. Here is the complete list:

The football factory that is Whitehaven...

Every single year the Whitehaven Tigers have 10,12,14,15 players commit to play football at many different levels of college. Coach Saulsberry and his staff continue to do a wonderful job preparing these young men for the next step in their lives both from an educational standpoint and a football standpoint. 4 more young men have committed for this year bringing the current total up to 8 and I am sure there will be more to sign on the dotted line in the coming days.

The most recent commitments are DL Andra Smith, OL Vincent Hunter, QB Patrick Smith and LB Adam Collins. They join RB Mark Dodson (already enrolled at Ole Miss, WR Gerald Perry (Vanderbilt), DB Darius Sims (Vanderbilt) and WR Justin Hunt (Marshall).

Collins will be headed to Morgan St. A dynamite defender who anchored the defense this past year, Collins had the big play in the 2011 state championship game vs Maryville when he returned a fumble 74 yds for a TD. Patrick Smith is headed up I-40 to Nashville to play for Tennessee St. Smith was a clutch performer for the Tigers, throwing for almost 1200 yds & 14 TD's while rushing for almost 700 yds (7.2/carry) & 13 TD's. When the defense focused on stopping Mark Dodson, Smith made them pay. Hunter and Andra Smith will both head down to Birmingham to play for UAB.  Both were dominant performers on the offensive and defensive lines that were such a vital part to Whitehaven's success.

Here is a link to some video and our updated area commitment list which now stands at 58:

Updated news on 2 East players

John Martin  (@JohnMartinCA on Twitter) from the Commercial Appeal is reporting that East LB Marcus Robinson will now be headed to NE Miss JC and DB Cedric Jones will now go to Murray St. There will be a ceremony on National Signing Day Wednesday at the school at 9 AM.

Mark Dodson and Jordan Wilkins news

Whitehaven RB Mark Dodson was selected to the prestigious Parade All American Team. Dodson led his Whitehaven team to an udnefeated season and 6A state championship with a 36-35 OT win over Maryville. Dodson rushed for almost 3300 yds which is the second most in state history to go along with 37 TD's and also graduated at the Christmas break and is already enrolled at Ole Miss. Here is a link to the entire team:

http://www.parade.com/news/all-america/2013/football-team.html?index=2

It looks like St. Benedict RB Jordan Wilkins will join him down in Oxford. Wilkins has committed and will sign on the dotted line Wednesday on National Signing Day. Wilkins had originally committed to Auburn but with head coach Gene Chizik being let go, he withdrew that commitment and starting looking elsewhere.

A note from Mark and Brian

Just wanted to let everyone know that everyone here at Shelby Metro Sports are extremely proud of all of the young men who have committed so far and the ones that will do so in the coming days and weeks. You have put in the time on and off the field and are being rewarded for doing so. Take the time and pass along to the younger players on your team that maybe don't realize yet that what they are doing in the classroom now has a great impact on whether or not they even have a chance to succeed at the next level and to not let that opportunity slip through the cracks.

All of the commitments on our list have come from the players themselves telling us where they are going or their football coaches passing on the information. We realize that players and/or schools change their minds in regards to commitments. We believe in recognizing all of the young men who are getting the opportunity to play at the next level whatever that level is. We are committed to covering all 64 of the football playing Shelby Metro area schools. If you know of someone who has committed that we don't have on the list, send us an e-mail at shelbymetrosports@gmail.com or on Twitter @ShelbyMetroPrep.  

Southwind has another player commit

WR Justin Kelly has committed to Lincoln University in Missouri. Here is some video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEohuFh-h68

This brings our total number of area commitments to 54. Here is the complete list: