Ride across the state of Mississippi on signing day every year and there might be just a handful of teams that pack the stage and sign National Letters of Intent like Louisville.
The Wildcats have produced college athletes at a high level for years and it’s becoming a common theme for Tyrone Shorter’s program to run up to double digit players getting opportunities on the next level. Nine of them signed last week and it was not a surprise to a coach that has watched Louisville from afar over the years and now has the keys to the field house.
“I think every class doesn’t want to be that class that let the program down. There’s so much tradition here that you don’t have to worry about them being focused and doing what they’re supposed to do,” Shorter said. “Not only do we win championships, but the number of guys that have a chance to go to school if phenomenal. It’s only going to get better.”
Out of the nine players that signed, they inked with four different junior colleges in the state of Mississippi. Spearheading the class was two-year starting quarterback Jace Hudspeth. This past year Hudspeth was huge with 2,116 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 349 yards averaging 7.9 yards a carry and scoring another nine times.
Hudspeth signed his college papers with Holmes Community College in Goodman and new head coach Marcus Wood who was a big part of East Mississippi CC’s rise to national prominence as the offensive coordinator. Wood signed three of Louisville’s best as he also pulled in wide receiver Jarvis Rush and defensive lineman Jeremiah Kirk. Rush was the team’s leading receiver last year with 45 catches, 731 yards and eight scores. Kirk had 52 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
Three more players went to Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead. Running back Emory James had two great season at Louisville. Last year he became the lead back for the team and had 145 rushes, 935 yards and 13 touchdowns with just one fumble. Joining him at Delta will be offensive linemen Jacquavion Ivy and Chauncey Thames.
Hinds Community College is becoming a major player inside the state of Mississippi and they added to their defense with two hard-nosed Wildcats. Defensive back and multi-sport standout Kylan Tippett Jr. just finished off a monster senior year on the gridiron in which he made 107 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, four interceptions and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Shontez Thames will also be going to Raymond after making 106 tackles and 15.0 for loss. East Central Community College signed another one of the Wildcat offensive linemen Lanorris Hickman and rounded out another strong senior class for the Wildcats.
“It means a lot. To me it’s bigger than winning a championship when you see young men have an opportunity further education and play the game that they love,” Shorter said. “I told my guys use football don’t let football use you. If you get this free education, make sure you get your free education out of it. But it’s always a joyful thing to see these young men get that opportunity.”
Shorter likes to win ball games and championships and he’s done a whole lot of both at Noxubee and Louisville. Coming off of a Class 4A state championship in 2020, tis year’s squad didn’t accomplish it two years in a row but had a great season with a 10-3 record and third round finish in the playoffs.
Beyond the wins, Shorter got to see this class grow more than any of the others that he’s been a part of at Louisville and they helped continue the standard of excellence.
“I came here and these guys were in ninth grade. I felt like these were my guys that I came in with because they were so young. They were eager to learn,” Shorter said of the senior class. “To see these young men now as seniors, it’s amazing. These guys were babies when I got here so now to see them grow into the talent that they are, it’s joyful for me.”
