a message from the president Students, Fans, Alumni, On behalf of Northeast Mississippi Community College, welcome to the greatest institution in the United States! Here at NEMCC, we have a tradition in all sports of exhibiting not only a championship atmosphere, but one of class, integrity, and professionalism. We are proud of the student-athletes that have chosen to attend Northeast. We are thankful each of you have chosen to attend this athletic event. While our students are here, our goal is to provide opportunities of personal growth through cutting edge instruction in the classroom and athletic programs. Northeast recognizes that its primary commitment is to the education of our student-athlete.
board of trustees
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VANCE WITT
CHRISTIE HOLLY
KATHY SHAPPLEY
CHIARMAN Tenure of Service: 2001 Tishomingo County Banker
VICE-CHIARMAN Tenure of Service: 2014 Tishomingo County Superintendent of Edu.
SECRETARY Tenure of Service: 2016 Tippah County Retired Educator
JOHN ANDERSON
KEN BASIL
LARRY GREENE
Tenure of Service: 2016 Alcorn County Educator
Tenure of Service: 2008 Union County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 2022 Tishomingo County Retired Educator
DOUGLAS JACKSON
SAM MCCOY
LARRY MITCHELL
Tenure of Service: 1995 Tippah County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 1988 Prentiss County Businessman
Tenure of Service: 2016 Alcorn County Retired Educator
KATIE MORELAND
LONNIE MURPHY
MATT MURPHY
Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Educator
Tenure of Service: 2020 Union County Retired Educator
Tenure of Service: 2024 Prentiss County Businessman
BUBBA POUNDS
BRANDON QUINN
LUZENE TRIPLETT
Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
Tenure of Service: 2026 Alcorn County Superintendent of Edu.
Tenure of Service: 2002 Prentiss County Retired Educator
Northeast was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Receiving this coveted honor exhibits to the world our commitment to cutting edge technology within our instructional process. I hope you will have time prior to or after this athletic event to walk or drive around our campus and get a small glance at what we have to offer. You are welcome to visit anytime with our students, faculty, and staff. We are happy to have each of you as part of the Northeast family. Please feel free to contact me should the need ever arise. As you leave campus after this event, we wish you the very best and safe travels. Sincerely,
Dr. Ricky G. Ford Northeast Mississippi Community College President
welcome special guests TISHOMINGO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS Northeast proudly welcomes Tishomingo County high school juniors and seniors to Prentiss County Night! Enjoy the game, explore our campus, and consider joining the Tiger family after graduation. Welcome and as always...Go Tigers!
football coaching staff GREG DAVIS
STEADMAN CAMPBELL
SEAN CANNON
COLE ROTENBERRY
CEDRIC SHELL
TREVOR STIGERS
DALLAS PAYNE
Head Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator
Wide Recievers Coach
Linebackers Coach
Defensive Line Coach
Running Backs/Tight Ends Coach
athletic Support staff KENT FARRIS
BRENDA MAYES
Athletic Director
Assistant Athletic Director
JODY PRESLEY
CARTER SMITH
BLAKE LONG
NEMCCTV “Voice of the Tigers” NEMCCTV “Voice of the Tigers”
CHASITY MOORE
KAMERON TALLEY
Cheerleading Coach
Assistant Cheer Coach
RYAN MORELAND
Sports Information Director Sports Information Specialist
JAY DAUBENBERGER Athletic Content Creator
ANNA BOLTON
DANIELLE ASHLEY
CADEN MITCHELL
Head Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
BRADI INGRAM
ERICA MILLER
LEIGH TRELOAR
Student-Athlete Success Coach Student-Athlete Success Coach Student-Athlete Success Coach
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HEAD COACH Greg Davis
(12th year - Texas Christian University)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Steadman Campbell (3rd year - University of Arkansas)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Sean Cannon
(4th year - Delta State University)
LINBACKERS COACH Cedric Shell
(9th year - Alcorn State University)
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Trevor Stigers
(2nd year - Mississippi State University)
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Cole Rotenberry
(6th year - Mississippi College)
RUNNING BACKS/ TIGHT ENDS COACH Dallas Payne
(1st year - University of Alabama Birmingham)
PRESIDENT
Dr. Ricky Ford
(12th year- Mississippi State University)
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Kent Farris
(12th year- University of North Alabama)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Brenda Mayes
(5th year - University of North Alabama)
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Blake Long
(14th year - University of Mississippi)
SPORTS INFORMATION SPECIALIST Ryan Moreland
(6th year - Mississippi State University)
ATHLETIC CONTENT CREATOR Jay Daubenberger
(2nd year - Florida Gulf Coast University)
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING Anna Bolton
(1st year - University of Alabama)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Danielle Ashley
(3rd year - University of Alabama)
Caden Mitchell
(1st year - University of Mississippi)
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2026 NORTHEAST FOOTBALL ROSTER
#
NAME
CLASS
POSITION
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
HOMETOWN
HIGH SCHOOL
0.............Antonio Parker ................. Sophomore............... DB.................. 6’0”................185.................... St. Louis, Mo.................................. Cardinal Ritter 1..............Jakari Brown .......................Freshman................. DL.................. 6’3”................215.................. Sylacauga, Ala.......................................B.B. Comer 1..............Jeremiah Thomas .............Freshman................ WR..................6’1”................170................... Odenville, Ala...............................St. Clair County 2.............Xae Mayes ............................Freshman.................QB.................. 6’2”................170.................... Corinth, Miss........................................Biggersville 3.............Micah Pledger ....................Freshman................. RB................. 5’10”...............185...................... Jasper, Ala.................................................... Jasper 4.............Glen Singleton .................. Sophomore............... RB.................. 5’8”................175................... Madison, Miss..............................Madison Central 5.............Zay Fox ............................... Sophomore............... DB....................6’1.................185...............Calhoun City, Miss................................ Calhoun City 5.............Brody Whittaker ................Freshman.................QB.................. 6’2”............... 220.................Hernando, Miss.......................Memphis Academy 6.............Isaiah Cobbs ..................... Sophomore.............. WR................. 5’9”................175...................Munford, Tenn..............................................Munford 7.............Torell Henderson ............. Sophomore............... LB................. 5’10”.............. 205.....................Sardis, Miss......................................South Panola 7.............Charles Stevenson .......... Sophomore.............. WR................. 5’9”................175................Hattiesburg, Miss...................................... Oak Grove 8.............Jalen Spikes ...................... Sophomore............... DB................. 5’10”...............195..................... Nesbit, Miss..................................DeSoto Central 9.............Kelvin Walker .................... Sophomore.............. WR................ 5’10”.............. 180................. Coldwater, Miss................................Independence 10...........Kevin Kirklin ...................... Sophomore............... LB.................. 6’0”............... 225.................Lexington, Miss..............Holmes County Central 11.............Jerone Baskin ................... Sophomore............... LB.................. 6’2”................215..................Columbus, Miss....................................... New Hope 12............Brooks Wallis .................... Sophomore............... TE.................. 6’0”................215................... Brandon, Miss.......................... Northwest Rankin 13............Justin White ........................Freshman................ WR................. 6’4”............... 205............... Cedar Bluff, Miss..................................... West Point 14...........Colt Whitacre .....................Freshman.................QB...................6’1”................170.................West Point, Miss..................................... West Point 15............Jaki Holmes ....................... Sophomore.............. WR................. 6’2”............... 180......................Ripley, Miss....................................................Ripley 15............Jayden Williams .............. Sophomore............... DL................... 6’2................240................ Booneville, Miss....................................... Booneville 16...........Adam Greer ....................... Sophomore............... DB.................. 6’0”................185..................Kosciusko, Miss........................................ Kosciusko 17............Xavier Thomas ...................Freshman................. LB.................. 6’2”............... 190..............Mound Bayou, Miss......................................Northside 18...........Merrit Moon ....................... Sophomore.............. WR................ 5’10”...............195..................Columbus, Miss....................................... New Hope 19...........Jeb Bolen ........................... Sophomore............... DB.................. 6’0”................185................New Albany, Miss..................................New Albany 20..........Trey Wallace ........................Freshman................. DB................. 5’10”...............175...............Olive Branch, Miss............................DeSoto Central 21............Jermil Jeffries .....................Freshman................. LB.................. 6’0”............... 220....................Tupelo, Miss...................................................Tupelo 22...........Zay Hubbard ..................... Sophomore............... LB.................. 6’0”................185..................Tuscaloosa, Ala...................................... Russellville 23...........Raiyen Oatis ...................... Sophomore............... DB.................. 6’0”................185.............Denham Springs, La...........................Donaldsonville 24..........Miles Foster .........................Freshman................. DB.................. 5’9”............... 180...............Olive Branch, Miss..................................... Center Hill 25...........Ja’Maree Thomas ..............Freshman................. DB................. 5’10”...............195...................... Tampa, Fla................................................Wharton 26..........Andrew Winfun .................Freshman................. RB.................. 5’11”............... 205....................Belden, Miss................................North Pontotoc 27...........Mincer Minor ..................... Sophomore............... DB.................. 5’11”............... 160..................Vicksburg, Miss........................................ Vicksburg 28..........Desmond Ball .....................Freshman................. DB.................. 5’11”................175................. Clarksdale, Miss....................................... Clarksdale 29..........Dee Bingham .................... Sophomore............... RB.................. 5’9”................195.....................Maben, Miss..................................... East Webster 30..........Ben Gault ........................... Sophomore................LS................. 5’10”...............185..................... Amory, Miss...................................................Amory 32...........Shane Farmer .....................Freshman................. LB.................. 6’3”............... 205..............Calhoun City, Miss................................ Calhoun City 33..........Adarius Brown.....................Freshman................. DB................. 5’10”...............165......................Taylor, Miss.............................................. Lafayette 34..........Rokari Covington ..............Freshman................. LB................. 5’10”...............185..................Kosciusko, Miss........................................ Kosciusko 35...........Aidan Taylor ........................Freshman................. LB...................6’1”............... 220.............Diamondhead, Miss.......................................Hancock 38..........Jaylen James ......................Freshman................. DL.................. 6’5”............... 205.................. Jackson, Miss.............................................Callaway 41...........Devin Martin ........................Freshman...................K................... 6’0”................185................. Coldwater, Miss................................Independence 42..........Daniel Sherman ............... Sophomore.................P.................... 6’0”............... 190...................Flowood, Miss.......................... Northwest Rankin 44..........Tytus Davidson ..................Freshman................. DL.................. 6’2”...............260................West Point, Miss..................................... West Point 45..........Cam Griffin ........................ Sophomore............... DL.................. 6’0”............... 230................. Batesville, Miss...................................South Panola 50..........Xion Miller ............................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’3”............... 320..................Pensacola, Fla...........................................Escambia 52...........Ja’Quavius Jackson ..........Freshman................. OL.................. 6’2”............... 275............... Winstonville, Miss.......................................Northside 53...........Beau Robinson ................. Sophomore............... OL.................. 6’0”............... 265..............Olive Branch, Miss................. Northpoint Christian 54..........Isaiah Respert .....................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’5”...............330............. Warner Robins, Ga..........................................Howard 55...........Ryan Casey ..........................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’2”...............280....................Oxford, Miss............................................ Lafayette 56..........Kaleb Barnes .......................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’4”...............290.................Tallahassee, Fla............................. Amos P. Godby 64..........Chris Soriano .................... Sophomore............... OL.................. 6’2”...............340..............Olive Branch, Miss................. Northpoint Christian 72...........Cameron Watson ............ Sophomore............... OL...................6’1”............... 255...................Dundee, Miss...............................Lake Cormorant 73...........Tyler Wallace ......................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’2”............... 285..................... Walls, Miss.................................Lake Cormorant 77...........JP Foley ................................Freshman................. OL.................. 6’5”................315..................Senatobia, Miss......................... Magnolia Heights 80..........Trell Dorrough ....................Freshman................ WR................. 6’5”...............200..............Calhoun City, Miss................................ Calhoun City 81...........Chase Booker ................... Sophomore.............. WR................. 6’0”............... 180................Tishomingo, Miss....................Tishomingo County 82..........Charvon Bell .......................Freshman................ WR................. 5’9”................155.....................Oxford, Miss............................................ Lafayette 83..........Tobias McGee .....................Freshman................ WR................. 5’6”................170................. Yazoo City, Miss.......................................Yazoo City 88..........Lakendric Draper ............ Sophomore............... TE.................. 6’3”................215.................. Batesville, Miss...................................South Panola 89..........Kemarrian Gray ................ Sophomore............... TE.................. 6’2”...............240................ Tiplersville, Miss.............................................. Walnut 90..........Christian Mays .................. Sophomore............... DL.................. 6’4”............... 285................... Denver, Colo................................................. McLain 93..........Donovan Hawkins .............Freshman................. DL.................. 6’3”............... 320....................Tupelo, Miss...................................................Tupelo 94..........J’Cameron Riley .............. Sophomore............... DL.................. 6’2”............... 320................. Louisville, Miss........................................ Noxapater 97...........Caden Kilgore .................. Sophomore............... DL...................6’1”............... 250....................Tupelo, Miss...................................................Tupelo 98..........Russell Davis ..................... Sophomore............... DL.................. 6’3”............... 285.................... Conyers, Ga.................................................Newton 99..........Elijsah Westbrook ........... Sophomore............... DL.................. 6’3”............... 345..............Olive Branch, Miss..................................... Center Hill
2026 MISS. DELTA FOOTBALL ROSTER #
NAME
CLASS
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
HOMETOWN
0.............Monclair Brave.................................. Sophomore..........................................6’1.................................185...............................................Ocean Springs 1..............Jameson Young.............................RS-Sophomore.......................................6’1................................. 174....................................................Bartow (FL) 2.............Kijuan McMillan................................RS-Freshman....................................... 5’9.................................185.............................................................. Sharon 3.............Kavon McKinney..............................RS-Freshman.......................................6’0.................................170................................................ Lakeland (FL) 4.............Roosevelt Harris Jr........................RS-Sophomore......................................5’11.................................160....................................................... Vicksburg 5.............Marlon Fluker..................................RS-Sophomore...................................... 6’3.................................185.........................................East St. Louis (IL) 6.............Lacoyrius Branch.............................. Sophomore........................................ 5’10................................185.........................................................Cleveland 7.............Armon Vinson................................... Sophomore..........................................6’1.................................190........................................East St. Louis (IL) 8.............Aiden Wright....................................RS-Freshman....................................... 6’3................................ 230.................................................Franklin (TN) 9.............Nick Celestine...................................... Freshman...........................................5’11.................................180.............................................. Lafayette (LA) 10...........Mitchell Davis..................................... Sophomore......................................... 6’2................................ 205......................................................... Indianola 11.............Sekou Davis Jr..................................... Freshman............................................6’1................................ 205....................................................Laurel (MD) 12............Dewon Hayes....................................... Freshman...........................................5’11.................................155............................................Lake Cormorant 13............Nizhan Feagin..................................RS-Freshman...................................... 5’10................................185............................................ Zephyrhills (FL) 14...........Jaylen Neely....................................... Sophomore......................................... 5’9.................................180.............................................. Salisbury (NC) 15............Devon Olive.......................................... Freshman........................................... 5’9.................................165.......................................................Charleston 16...........Tristan Chavis...................................RS-Freshman.......................................5’11................................. 175............................................................... Collins 17............Noel Mora.............................................. Freshman............................................6’1................................ 205....................................... New Orleans (LA) 18...........Jarrett Jasper.................................... Sophomore......................................... 5’7.................................180.............................................................Benton 19...........Jayden Thurman................................. Freshman...........................................6’0.................................190........................................................... Jackson 20..........Demarian Kidd.................................. Sophomore........................................ 5’10................................162............................................................Madison 21............E’xavier Wiggins................................. Freshman.......................................... 5’10................................180........................................................ St. Martin 22...........Charlie Ward.....................................RS-Freshman...................................... 5’10............................... 205..................................................Auburn (AL) 23...........Stephen Tolliver................................ Sophomore.........................................5’11................................ 230........................................................... Jackson 24..........Peyton Williams.................................. Freshman........................................... 6’2.................................180...................................................... Southaven 25...........Christopher May................................. Freshman...........................................5’11.................................180........................................................ Columbia 26..........Eli Johnson........................................RS-Freshman.......................................5’11................................ 235....................................................... Woodville 28..........Christian Guy....................................... Freshman...........................................5’11................................. 175...................................................Olive Branch 29..........Jaylan Johnson................................... Freshman........................................... 5’7.................................160................................................................ Biloxi 30..........Brayden McDonald............................ Freshman........................................... 6’3.................................210................................................. Bay St. Louis 31............Ardarius Gardner.............................. Sophomore..........................................6’1................................ 280....................................................Hattiesburg 32...........Jakobe Barnes..................................... Freshman............................................6’1................................ 205............................................................Summit 33..........Jaden Breaux....................................RS-Freshman....................................... 6’2.................................195............................................................Gulfport 34..........Artavious Moye................................... Freshman.......................................... 5’10............................... 205..............................................................Maben 35...........Elliot Lloyd.........................................RS-Freshman........................................6’1................................ 205......................................................... Indianola 36..........Kheland Brown.................................RS-Freshman.......................................6’0.................................170............................................................ Jackson 38..........Martone Pegues.................................. Freshman........................................... 6’2................................. 175.............................................................. Oxford 40..........Logan Evans......................................... Freshman.......................................... 5’10............................... 225............................................................ Hickory 42..........Tyreese Thames................................ Sophomore.........................................5’11.................................195....................................................... Southaven 45..........Gage Davis........................................... Freshman...........................................6’0................................ 250...................................................... Southaven 46..........Ashton Saleh........................................ Freshman.......................................... 5’10................................ 175........................................................ Vicksburg 47..........Nathan Johnson Jr.........................RS-Freshman........................................6’1................................ 255.......................................................... Grenada 48..........TyQuarrious Boddy......................... Sophomore......................................... 6’2................................ 250.............................................................Benton 50..........Karter Thomas..................................... Freshman.......................................... 5’10................................310....................................................... Vicksburg 51............Ketreveon Jones................................. Freshman........................................... 6’2................................ 290.................................................... Friars Point 52...........Marlin Jones......................................... Freshman.......................................... 5’10............................... 285......................................................Yazoo City 54..........Zachary Bogard................................ Sophomore..........................................6’1................................ 320.................................................Holly Springs 55...........Javon Anderson................................. Freshman.......................................... 5’10................................210...........................................................Gulfport 61...........Evan Hollon.......................................... Freshman........................................... 6’5................................ 290............................................................ Corinth 65..........Jayden Powe........................................ Freshman...........................................6’0................................ 290..............................................Wayne County 66..........Corey Wilkerson................................. Freshman...........................................6’0................................ 350....................................................... Vicksburg 71............Damarion Dean................................... Freshman............................................6’1................................ 270.................................................... Greenwood 74...........Tyshaun Hayden................................. Freshman........................................... 6’2................................ 285....................................................... Columbus 75...........Jajuan Garcia....................................... Freshman........................................... 6’5................................ 325.......................................Delray Beach (FL) 77...........De’Undre Golden.............................. Sophomore......................................... 6’3................................ 290.......................................................... Lambert 82..........Andres Hunt......................................... Freshman...........................................5’11.................................165...................................................... Moss Point 84..........Malikh Brown....................................RS-Freshman........................................6’1.................................180......................................................Yazoo City 85..........Keveon Cross....................................... Freshman........................................... 5’7.................................160......................................................... Itta Bena 88..........Jared Milsap......................................... Freshman........................................... 5’9.................................190...................................................... Oak Grove 90..........Jaden Evans......................................RS-Freshman....................................... 6’3................................ 265............................................................. Oxford 92..........Christian Cavett.................................. Freshman...........................................5’11................................ 290............................................................. Clinton 95..........Dillon Marshall..................................... Freshman........................................... 6’2................................ 295...........................................................Madison 97...........Kadan Ponder...................................RS-Freshman.......................................6’0................................ 285..............................................Talladega (AL) 98..........Rakeem ReVle................................... Sophomore......................................... 6’2................................ 305........................................ Philadelphia (PA) 99..........Omar White.......................................RS-Freshman.......................................6’4................................ 335..............................................Leesburg (GA)
HEAD COACH
Jermaine Smith
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ LINEBACKERS COACH Gavin Burford
DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH Marquis Braimer
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH Christian McCora
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Aaron Jackson
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/ WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Joe Arnold
PRESIDENT
Dr. Steven J. Jones
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Tangela Banks
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Joseph Jackson
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Charles Heinz
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PAYNE RETURNS TO “SECOND HOME” OF NORTHEAST TO BEGIN COACHING CAREER Dallas Payne is beginning his transition from football player to coach at the place that he considers a second home. Payne is returning to the campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College as its new running backs and tight ends instructor. “He brings energy and a love for the game that I think the kids will resonate with,” said Tigers headman Greg Davis. “He’s going to be a fantastic coach because he believes in the concept of what we’re doing. He understands that this is a great place.” Payne was a standout wide receiver for Northeast during the 2020-21 seasons. He spent the next four years competing at both the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Florida International University (FIU). The Bay St. Louis native was moved to the tight end position at the D1 level. He adjusted to that new role nicely and obtained all-conference honors at the conclusion of his senior season.
appearances and win its most games since 2018 last fall. He started in 10 of the Panthers’ 13 contests during his lone season in the Sunshine State.
First Responder Bowl against the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). His final reception ever went for a 22-yard FIU touchdown late in the third quarter.
“Not many people get this opportunity this young to be a position coach so I was super excited,” Payne said. “Being able to just come back to where you started and where your roots are and give back is a blessing for sure.
He backed up his Preseason AllConference USA recognition from the Athlon Sports and Phil Steele publications by recording 27 catches for 293 yards with four touchdowns. It was the most scores by a FIU tight end in a single season in more than a decade.
“I’m excited to get to know the guys so we can put them in a position to succeed against other teams and look good. Giving them the gems that I learned at the next level that they’re trying to get to is good for them.”
Payne had at least one reception in all but two games for the Panthers. He posted a career-high 100 yards on the dot on just four catches during his final regular season contest at Sam Houston State (Texas) University.
He registered 36 catches for 385 yards throughout his tenure with the Blazers. His lone touchdown at UAB was a 21-yard reception at the University of Arkansas during his redshirt junior year.
Payne helped FIU snap a six-year drought between postseason
He had a storybook ending to his playing career in the SERVPRO
Payne was part of the coronavirus shortened 2020 campaign at
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Payne participated in 28 games over portions of three seasons at UAB. He got to witness first hand some of the best environments in college football, including the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium and Tiger Stadium in Louisiana.
Northeast. The Tigers went 5-1 and finished as the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) North Division runner-up with a No. 13 final national ranking. He earned second-team allconference accolades that season after racking up the second most catches, yards and touchdowns for Northeast. Payne topped the Tigers in receptions one year later with 36. Three of Payne’s five total touchdowns at Northeast came in victories over archrival Itawamba Community College. That includes the only multiscore game of his career as a true freshman in Fulton. Payne had five or more catches four times in his last season with the Tigers. His cumulative collegiate statistics between Northeast, UAB and FIU are 122 receptions for 1,391 yards with 10 touchdowns. “Booneville holds a special place in my heart,” said Payne. “Everybody is close knit. You don’t really get that at a lot of places, especially at bigger schools. It’s surreal coming back here and giving back to this community.” Payne originally signed with Northeast as a decorated wideout at St. Stanislaus High School. He was an All-State selection by both MaxPreps and the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) after leading the state in catches with 85 as a senior. He obtained an Associate’s degree from Northeast and a Bachelor’s degree from UAB. Payne has one daughter, Kylie.
TRACKING THE TIGERS: 4-YEAR ALUMNI UPDATE The Northeast Mississippi Community College football program currently has 34 student-athletes continuing their playing careers at four-year institutions. Twenty-six former Tigers play NCAA Division I football with two calling a Power Four university their home. Six alumni play at the Division II level, one suits up for a Division III team and one at a NAIA school. The following is an update on how members of the Northeast family have fared at the end of the one full month of the 2026 campaign. Quay Middlebrooks (Tupelo) is in his first season at East Texas A&M University. Middlebrooks has totaled 247 rushing yards and one touchdown through the first five games of the season. He opened the season with 36 rushing yards and one touchdown against Mercer on August 29. The Tupelo native had a season-high 84 rushing yards against McNeese on September 26. Coby Owens (Saltillo) is in his second season at Georgia State University. Owens has totaled 22 tackles and three tackles for loss through four games for the Panthers. The Saltillo native has had a season-high seven tackles against UCF on September 19 and NIU on September 26. He had 1.5 tackles for loss against UCF. Owens was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth Team. Cameron Stancil (Madison) has appeared in five games on the offensive line in his first season Jacksonville State University. He has helped the Gamecocks average 392.4 yards per game through the first five games of the season. Jacksonville State had a season-high 526 yards of offense against Easten Kentucky on September 5.
Tam Patterson (Corinth) is in his second season at Millsaps College. Patterson has totaled 306 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns through the first three games of the season. He has also added three catches for 34 yards and one touchdown. Patterson had a season-high 173 rushing yards against Hendrix on September 19. The Corinth native has a rushing touchdown in each of the first three games of the season. Ryan McCall (Madison) is in his first season at Murray State University. He has totaled 26 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups through the first five games of the season for the Racers. The Madison native had a season-high eight tackles and two tackles for loss in the season opener against Eastern Illinois. Chris McMillian (Fort Valley, Ga.) is in his first season at the University of North Alabama. McMillian has totaled 126 rushing yards and one touchdown through the first five games of the season. He has also added five catches for 41 yards. His lone touchdown of the season came against Southeastern Louisiana on September 12. McMillian had a season-high 39 rushing yards in the season opener against Samford on August 29 and Alcorn State on September 19. Keaton Thomas (Jacksonville, Fla.) is in his first season at the University of Mississippi. Thomas has totaled 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack and one pass breakup through the first four games of the season for Ole Miss. The Jacksonville, Fla., native had a season-high 11 tackles against Florida on September 26. Thomas was named to the watch lists for the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Award. Prior to the season, Thomas was named to the All-America Third Team by On3, AllAmerica Fourth Team by Phil Steele and All-SEC Second Team.
7
L, 27-26
W, 18-15
L, 31-28
L, 31-0
L, 20-10
OCT. 3*
OCT. 8*
OCT. 15
OCT. 24*
OCT.29*
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