The University of Mississippi Athletics
1999 Rebel Football Signees
6/21/1999 | Football
February 3, 1999
1999 OLE MISS FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Hometown (School)Ian Bass B 6-0 220 Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)Les Binkley K 5-9 170 Memphis, Tenn. (Evangelica Christian; Northwest CC)Josh Cooper L 6-4 220 Marietta, Ga. (High)Lanier Goethie L 6-0 220 Baxley, Ga. (Appling County)Barnabas Harris L 6-3 220 Birmingham, Ala. (Ensley)Theo Harris L 6-3 290 Decatur, Tenn. (Meigs County)Kimario Hentz B 5-11 185 Batesville, Miss. (South Panola)Michael Hollinger L 6-2 300 Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummell)Von Hutchins B 5-11 185 Natchez, Miss. (Cathedral)Lee Jackson B 6-4 200 Marietta, Ga. (High)Tommy Kelly L 6-7 280 Jackson, Miss. (Provine)Eli Manning B 6-4 200 New Orleans, La. (Isadore Newman)Kevin McKenzie L 6-5 280 Whiteville, N.C. (Arizona Western CC)Jesse Mitchell L 6-2 235 Moss Point, Miss. (High)Jamil Northcutt L 6-2 235 Tullahoma, Tenn. (High)Brandon Roddy L 6-2 255 Peoria, Ill. (Richwood)Justin Sawyer L 6-4 275 Centreville, Miss. (Centreville Academy)Wes Scott B 6-1 195 Memphis, Tenn. (MUS)Dannie Snyder L 6-2 265 Eudora, Ark. (High)Tremaine Turner B 5-10 200 Springfield, Tenn. (High)Justin Wade L 6-4 215 Jackson, Miss. (Jackson Prep)Robert Williams B 5-9 195 Gadsden, Ala. (High) Cliff Woodruff L 6-7 255 Oxford, Miss. (High) Marcus Woodson B 6-0 180 Moss Point, Miss. (High)Demetric Wright B 5-11 180 Courtland, Miss. (South Panola)
1999 OLE MISS FOOTBALL SIGNEE BIOS
IAN BASS, B, 6-0, 220, Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) -- As a senior, earned first team All-State defensive honors from by the Associated Press and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association ... Was Mr. Football Finalist, Back of the Year in Division II-AA ... Selected by the Chattanooga Times as one of the Top 13 prospects in Tennessee and was ranked No. 8 in the Knoxville News-Sentinel Top 25 prospects for Tennessee ... SuperPrep All-Dixie pick ... Named to Chopat 1998 Preseason All-America team ... Student Sports 1996 Sophomore All-American ... After missing his junior season with a knee injury, bounced back to have an outstanding senior year ... Accounted for 1,029 yards, rushing for 986 yards on 140 carries and catching three passes for another 43 yards ... Scored 21 TDs ... Averaged 7.04 yards per rush and 14.33 yards per catch ... Also excelled on defense as he was credited with 53 total tackles, including 30 solo hits ... Had two pass interceptions, returning them for 80 yards and one TD ... Also recovered two fumbles ... Counting offense and defense, accounted for 1,145 all-purpose yards ... Earned four letters in football while playing fullback and linebacker at Brentwood Academy, which produced former Ole Miss quarterback Kent Austin, one of the greatest passers in Rebel history ... Helped lead Brentwood to Class 5A state titles in 1995 and 1996, the Division II-AA regional championship and state runner-up spot in 1998 ... Coached in high school by Carlton Flat ... Brentwood was 12-0 in 1995, 12-0 in 1996, 9-3 in 1997, and 11-1 in 1998 ... In final national rankings by USA Today, Brentwood was No 7 in 1995 and No. 5 in 1996 ... Also earned four letters in track, throwing the shot and discus and running the 100 and 200 meters ... PERSONAL: Son of James and Beverly Bass ... Full name is Ian Yahn Bass ... Born: April 10, 1980.
LES BINKLEY, K, 5-9, 170, Memphis, Tenn. (Evangelica Christian; Northwest CC) -- Transferred to Ole Miss in January from Northwest (Miss.) Community College ... Will participate in spring drills ... Has two years of eligibility remaining ... JUNIOR COLLEGE: Earned 1998 first team NJCAA and J.C. Gridwire All-America honors as a sophomore at Northwest ... Was NCJAA's top rated kicker, All-Region and All-State selection ... Made 51 of 52 extra point attempts and 13 of 19 field goal attempts in 1998, while also kicking off ... Longest field goal was 47 yards ... Was one for one in 1998 Mineral Water Bowl ... Helped lead Northwest to 11-2 record and No. 5 national ranking ... Coached in junior college by Bobby Ray Franklin, an outstanding quarterback at Ole Miss (1957-59) ... Walked on at Tennessee for two seasons ... Was redshirted one year while with Vols ... Didn't see any playing time, then transferred to Montlow Community College to play baseball ... Left Montlow after 1998 baseball season to join Northwest ... Was All-Division pick in baseball ... Hit .342 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI ... Had 3-1 record and one save as a pitcher ... HIGH SCHOOL: Was All-State defensive back in 1995 while playing for Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, Tenn. ... Also rated All-Metro as all-purpose back ...Rated state Offensive Player of the Week ... Was All-Region and All-District defensive back junior and senior years ... Memphis Best of Preps junior and senior years ... Three-year starter at cornerback and two-year starter at tailback ... Career place kicking totals included making 43 of 46 PATs and 12 of 29 field goals (8 of 8 40 yards and under) ... Longest field goal was 47 yards ... Coached in high school by Steve Wiliford ... In baseball, played third base and pitcher on team which won three Region titles and one State crown ... Started three years in baseball and was All-District and All-Region junior and senior seasons ... Made All-State team senior year ... PERSONAL: Son of Lesley Harding Binkley II and Nancy Margaret Binkley ... Full name is Lesley Harding Binkley III ... Born: October 25, 1977.
JOSH COOPER, L, 6-4, 220, Marietta, Ga. (High) -- A three-year starter for Marietta High who picked up All-County honors his senior season ... Has been nominated for the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game and the North-South Georgia All-Star Game ... Named permanent team captain ... Received Best Defensive Lineman Award and Hustle Award ... As a senior, had 60 tackles, including 45 solo hits ... Had four tackles for losses and two QB sacks ... Coached in high school by James "Friday" Richards ... Earned two letters in football and basketball ... Averaged eight points, six rebounds, and seven blocks per game in basketball ... Also participated in track ... Student of the Month ... Who's Who ... PERSONAL: Son of Martha Anne Cooper and Sam Henderson ... Full name is Joshua Martez Cooper ... Born: December 5, 1980.
LANIER GOETHIE, L, 6-0, 220, Baxley, Ga. (Appling County) -- During senior season at Appling County, was credited with 151 tackles, including 93 solo hits ... Had three pass interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three caused fumbles ... Ended prep career with 235 tackles, including 145 solo hits, 18 tackles for loss, four pass interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and five caused fumbles ... Was Defensive Captain ... Was selected by Savannah Morning News as Defensive Player of the Year, which covers Southeast Georgia ... Has been nominated for the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game ... Coached in high school by Bob Stinchcomb ... Earned four letters in football, three in baseball, three in track, and two in wrestling ... PERSONAL: Son of Andrew and Blondell Goethie ... Full name is Andrew Lanier Goethie ... Born: September 29, 1980.
BARNABAS HARRIS, L, 6-3, 220, Birmingham, Ala. (Ensley) -- Playing in Alabama's highest classification, 6A, was credited with 89 tackles during his senior season ... Also had six QB sacks, 10 hurries, 10 blocked passes, two pass interceptions, and three fumble recoveries ... Played defensive end and tight end ... Coached in high school by Sylvester Campbell ... Lettered three years in football and two in basketball ... PERSONAL: Son of Claudis and Fannie M. Baker ... Full name is Barnabas Varnier Harris ... Born: July 29, 1981.
THEO HARRIS, L, 6-3, 290, Decatur, Tenn. (Meigs County) -- First team AA All-State by Associated Press and Tennessee Sportswriters as he played offensive guard and defensive end for Megis County ... One of three finalists for Mr. Football Lineman of the Year in Tennessee ... All-Area ... First team All-Tri State (Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Alabama, Northwest Georgia) and Super 24 for East Tennessee by Chattanooga Times-Free Press ... Knoxville News-Sentinel Top 25, ranking No. 14 and No. 1 among offensive linemen ... Selected to Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game ... Nominated for Tennessee East-West Shrine All-Star Game ... Ranked in preseason as Tennessee's top defensive lineman ... On defense, recorded 69 tackles senior year, including 18 for losses, and six pass deflections ... Offensively, recorded 44 pancake blocks and graded 86 percent ... Had 72 tackles junior season, including 33 big plays ... Coached in high school by Stan Eller ... Earned four letters in football and four in basketball ... PERSONAL: Son of Kevin and Brenda Harris ... Full name is Theandra George Harris ... Born: April 10, 1981.
KIMARIO HENTZ, B, 5-11, 185, Batesville, Miss. (South Panola) -- All-State, All-Conference and All-Region pick ... Clarion-Ledger Top 40 ... Rushed for 1,506 yards on just 177 carries and scored 22 TDs during senior season ... Averaged 8.5 yards per carry for the State Champion Tigers, who went 14-1, losing only season opener to Moss Point ... While seeing limited playing time as a junior, still ran for 1,277 yards on 154 carries and scored 19 TDs ... An outstanding athlete who can play a number of positions and is a threat on punt and kickoff returns ... Coached in high school by Ed Stanley ... PERSONAL: Son of William and Gloria Hentz ... Full name is Kimario K. Hentz ... Born: May 20, 1980.
MICHAEL HOLLINGER, L, 6-2, 300, Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummell) -- Started for two and one-half years, earning All-Metro and All-District honors, plus second team All-State ... Named All-Louisiana by Louisiana Magazine ... Named to Louisiana 38 by SuperPrep, ranking No. 24 ... Helped lead Class 5A Metairie to 8-3 record senior year and played major role in school's outstanding rushing game ... Has outstanding work ethic, especially in the weight room ... Bench presses 390 to 400 pounds ... Was used extensively as lead guard in trapping, pulling and counter situations ... Coached in high school by Jay Roth ... Earned three letters in football and two in track ... Finished second in District in shot put ... PERSONAL: Son of Charles C. Hollinger and Mary K. Hollinger ... Full name is Michael Edward Hollinger ... Born: May 2, 1981.
VON HUTCHINS, B, 5-11, 185, Natchez, Miss. (Cathedral) -- All-District and All-Metro pick as a junior and senior, while being chosen All-District Defensive Player of the Year and All-Metro Player of the year senior season ... WNAT/WQNZ Offensive Player of the Year ... Clarion-Ledger Top 40 ... Passed for 1,259 yards and 11 TDs as a senior when he also had 69 carries for 312 yards and another nine TDs ... Also had five pass interceptions, returning one for a TD ... Had 580 yards of kickoff returns, including three for scores ... Passed for 1,300 yards and 14 TDs junior season ... Career totals include 4,107 yards passing and 900 yards rushing ... Scored 63 TDs ... Helped lead Cathedral to district title sophomore and junior years and runner-up spot freshman and senior seasons ... Team was South State runner-up junior season ... Coached in high school by Ken Beesley ... Earned five letters in football and four in basketball ... Averaged 10 points per game in basketball ... Was team captain in basketball as he won Hustle Award and Best Defensive Player honors ... National Honor Society, Who's Who, Mr. CHS, and had perfect attendance for five years ... PERSONAL: Son of Charles and Gail Hutchins ... Full name is Tahaya De'Von Hutchins ... Born: February 14, 1981.
LEE JACKSON, B, 6-4, 200, Marietta, Ga. (High) -- Played wide receiver, defensive back, and returned kicks for Marietta High ... Caught 24 passes for 591 yards and eight TDs senior year ... Named Best Wide Receiver and team's MVP ... One of his kickoffs was returned 91 yards for a score ... Had three pass interceptions ... Earned second team All-County honors ... Only played six games as a junior when he broke his collarbone, but still had two pass interceptions ... Coached in high school by James "Friday" Richards ... Earned four letters in football, four in basketball, and three in track ... PERSONAL: Son of LaJuana Johnson Mensah ... Full name is Leon Marvan Jackson ... Born: September 30, 1980.
TOMMY KELLY, L, 6-7, 280, Jackson, Miss. (Provine) -- Second team All-State selection who was Clarion-Ledger Top 40 pick ... Also earned All-Metro and All-District honors ... Senior season was his only year of football at Provine ... Was credited with 120 tackles, including 15 QB sacks ... Played defensive end, outside linebacker, and tight end ... Coached in high school by Willie Collins ... Earned one letter in football and four in track ... PERSONAL: Son of Tommy and Grace Kelly ... Full name is Tommy Kelly ... Born: December 27, 1980.
ELI MANNING, B, 6-4, 200, New Orleans, La. (Isadore Newman) -- All-America, All-State, and All-District pick ... USA Today Player of the Year in Louisiana ... All-Metro MVP ... SuperPrep Louisiana Top 38, ranking 7th ... Guided Newman to 11-1 record and a berth to the state quarterfinals for the second straight year ... Rolled up impressive career passing marks at Newman as he completed 429 of 725 passes (59.2 percent) for 7,389 yards and 81 TDs with only 24 interceptions ... Completed 140 of 234 passes for 2,381 yards and 30 TDs senior year ... Averaged 17.0 yards per completion senior season and 10.2 yards for career ... Completed 142 of 235 passes for 2,547 yards and 26 TDs as a junior and 139 of 245 passes for 2,340 yards and 24 TDs as a sophomore ... Coached in high school by Frank Gendusa ... Earned four letters in football, four in basketball, and two in baseball ... PERSONAL: Son of Archie and Olivia Manning ... Archie, considered one of the greatest players in Ole Miss history, was the quarterback on the school's Team of the Century (1893-1992) ... Brother, Peyton, was an All-America at Tennessee when he set almost every Vol passing mark ... Full name is Elisha Nelson Manning ... Born: January 3, 1981.
KEVIN McKENZIE, L, 6-5, 280, Whiteville, N.C. (Arizona Western CC) -- Two-time All-Conference selection while playing 1996 and 1997 seasons as defensive end and tight end at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. ... Also made All-Arizona team ... Had 50 tackles and 13 QB sacks ... Had 10 pancakes as tight end ... Coached in junior college by Charlie Dine ... Earned two letters in football and two in basketball ... HIGH SCHOOL: Picked up All-State honors while playing at Whiteville (NC) High School ... Also selected All-Conference, All-County, and All-Region three years ... Had 70 tackles and 18 QB sacks senior season ... Coached in high school by Russell Weinstein ... Earned three letters in football and three in basketball ... Averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds in basketball as he made All-Region, All-County, and All-Tournament ... Rated as one of Top 25 basketball players in North Carolina ... PERSONAL: Son of Anthony and Hedy McKenzie, Sr. ... Full name is Kevin LaMorris McKenzie ... Born: April 11, 1976 ... Uncle Reggie Singletary and cousin Al Toon both played in the NFL.
JESSE MITCHELL, L, 6-2, 235, Moss Point, Miss. (High) -- All-State selection who has been named to the Mississippi roster of the prestigious Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game ... Was Defensive MVP in District ... Clarion-Ledger Top 40 pick ... USA Today honorable mention All-America ... Had 93 tackles and eight QB sacks senior year ... Also caused six fumbles ... As a junior, had 101 tackles, 18 QB sacks, recovered two fumbles and caused five fumbles ... Helped lead Moss Point to a pair of state championships as team went 13-1 and 14-1 ... Three-year starter who earned three letters in football ... Coached in high school by Jerry Alexander ... PERSONAL: Son of Jesse, Jr. and Sandra Mitchell ... Full name is Jesse Mitchell III ... Born: December 27, 1980 ... Brother, Kareem, plays defensive tackle at LSU.
JAMIL NORTHCUTT, L, 6-2, 235, Tullahoma, Tenn. (High) -- Two-time All-State selection who played linebacker, tight end, and fullback at Class 4A Tullahoma High ... First team All-State pick of the Associated Press and Tennessee Sportswriters ... Selected by the Nashville Tennessean as Defensive Player of the Year, Mr Football Linemen of the Year in Class 4A, Dream Team, and Most Valuable Defensive Player in region and in Mid-State area ... Made Max Emfinger's Super Dixie Top 300 Bluechip ... Orlando Sentinel All-American ... As a senior, led team to a 9-3 record while he was credited with 189 tackles, 11 QB sacks, one fumble recovery, four caused fumbles, and one pass interception ... Also caught three passes for 40 yards ... As a junior, recorded 140 tackles with seven QB sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass interception when Tullahoma went 10-2 ... Coached in high school by John Olive ... National Honor Society ... PERSONAL: Son of Sammy and Theresa Northcutt ... Full name is Kellen Jamil Northcutt ... Born: December 22, 1980.
BRANDON RODDY, L, 6-2, 255, Peoria, Ill. (Richwood) -- Two-time All-Conference and All-Area performer ... Earned Urban League Best Athlete Award ... Rotary Club Outstanding Athlete ... Selected to play in Illinois Shrine All-Star Game ... Voted team MVP ... Played tight end, defensive line, and fullback at Richwood high ... Caught 15 passes as a senior, averaging 26.5 yards per catch, with eight going for TDs ... Had 11 rushes for 92 yards ... Was credited with 17 tackles and five QB sacks ... Also returned kickoffs and punts ... Career tight end stats included 26 receptions for 856 yards to average 32.9 yards per catch ... Had 61 career carries for another 342 yards to average 5.6 yards per rush ... Had 39 career tackles, including 12 QB sacks ... Coached in high school by Doug Simper ... Earned three letters in football and two in track, baseball, and basketball ... PERSONAL: Son of Lou and Sharon Roddy ... Full name is Brandon Louis Roddy ... Born: December 15, 1980.
JUSTIN SAWYER, L, 6-4, 275, Centreville, Miss. (Centreville Academy) -- Helped lead Centreville Academy to 14-0 record and 1998 Class 3A state championship as he played tight end and defensive end ... As a senior, caught 22 passes for 357 yards and six TDs, while defensive numbers included 98 tackles, 12 QB sacks, one pass interception, and three fumble recoveries ... Had 330 career tackles, 41 QB sacks, one pass interception, 10 fumble recoveries ... Had 62 career receptions for 934 yards and 15 TDs ... Was two-year starter for Centreville Academy after transferring from Silliman Institute in Clinton, La. ... Named All-State defensive end as a junior ... Was first team All-Conference tight end as a 10th grader ... Junior and senior seasons saw him rate first team All-State and All-Conference defensive end when he was also Most Valuable Player in conference ... Capped off senior season by being selected Academy All-State as well as Overall All-State, which is comprised of players from both public and private schools ... Clarion-Ledger All-State pick and Top 40 ... Selected first team All-Area by the Natchez Democrat ... Was the only Academy player named to Mississippi All-State team ... Coached in high school by Bill Hurst ... Earned four letters in football, five in baseball, and one in track ... Plays third base, pitcher, and catcher in baseball and throws discus in track ... Was second team All-Conference baseball pick in 9th grade, first team in 10th and 11th grades ... Was Defensive MVP as a junior ... Beta Club, Geometry Award, Honor Roll ... PERSONAL: Son of David and Penny Sawyer ... Full name is Justin David Sawyer ... Born: July 14, 1980 ... Uncle John Sawyer played in the NFL.
WES SCOTT, B, 6-1, 195, Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis University School) -- Picked up All-State honors from the Associated Press, Coaches, and Tennessee Sports Writers Association as a senior ... Also named to the Commercial Appeal Best of Preps and All-Metro teams ... Rated All-Metro, Best of Preps, and All-State Division 2 junior campaign ... During senior season, caught 10 passes for 195 yards and one TD as a wide receiver, while leading team with 76 tackles from his free safety position ... Also had four pass interceptions, returning two for TDs ... Recovered one fumble and blocked two kicks ... Ranked second on team in tackles junior year when he had 78, plus two pass interceptions ... Career totals include 15 receptions for 240 yards and one TD, 190 tackles, eight pass interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks ... Had three career TDs on pass interceptions ... Earned four letters in both football and track ... Coached in high school by Bobby Alston ... Helped lead Memphis University School to 1996 Region 8-4A championship and second round of state playoffs ... Super 7 Conference runner-up and state semi-finalist spot in 1997 ... Had outstanding track career ... Was 400 meter regional champ in 1997, placing 6th in state meet ... Won 200 meters in regional and state meets, finished second in region 100 meters and third in state 100 meters ... Best times have been 10.77 in the 100 meters and 22.1 in the 200 meters ... Faculty Honor Roll, Dean's List, Dean's Scholar List, National Spanish Honor Society ... PERSONAL: Son of Butch and Teresa Scott ... Full name is William Edward Scott III ... Born: July 7, 1981.
DANNY SNYDER, L, 6-2, 265, Eudora, Ark. (High) -- All-State, All-Junior Team, Best Defensive Player, Best Offensive Player ... All-District four years ... Was credited with 156 tackles, had nine QB sacks, and caused nine fumbles during senior season ... Had 196 tackles as a junior ... As a freshman, had 16 tackles in his very first game ... Coached in high school by Donald Harris ... Earned four letters in football, basketball, and track ...Three year starter in basketball ... Averaged nine points and 13 rebounds per game ... Student of the Month ... Student Council member ... PERSONAL: Son of Cathy Jones and Dannie Snyder ... Full name is Danny Ray Snyder ...Born: January 15, 1981.
TREMAINE TURNER, B, 5-10, 200, Springfield, Tenn. (High) -- Two-time All-State and All-Mid State selection ... All-Region pick three years ... Rushed for a school record 4,893 career yards ... Had 1,700 yards rushing on 250 carries senior season and only fumbled twice ... In game against White Creek, had over 200 yards rushing ... During his junior season, was selected as the Offensive MVP of team ... Nominated as a finalist or the coveted Mr. Football Award for 1998 season ... Coached in high school by Randy Thomas ... Earned four letters in football, one in basketball and one in wrestling ... PERSONAL: Son of Carl and Maxine Turner ... Full name is Tremaine Terrell Turner ... Born: July 12, 1980.
JUSTIN WADE, L, 6-4, 215, Jackson, Miss. (Jackson Prep) -- Earned South 4A Defensive Most Valuable Player honors ... Clarion-Ledger Top 40 and All-Metro pick ... Rated as South team Defensive MVP in All-Star Game ... Also Most Valuable Player at Jackson Prep ... Playing middle linebacker, was credited with more than 100 tackles senior season in helping Jackson Prep win 4A state title ... Also played some tight end when Patriots were in goal line situations ... As a junior, played both ways and started at both middle linebacker and offensive guard ... Coached in high school by Ricky Black ... Earned three letters in football and track ... In track, ran the 400 meters and threw the discus ... Helped lead track team to state championship ... PERSONAL: Son of Luther Webb Wade and Marilyn McLaurin Dzielak ... Luther lettered as a fullback at Ole Miss in 1970 and as a defensive tackle in 1971 ... Justin's brother, Todd, is the starting right tackle at Ole Miss ... Grandfather also played at Ole Miss ... Full name is Justin Davis Wade ... Born: January 20, 1981.
ROBERT WILLIAMS, B, 5-9, 195, Gadsden, Ala. (High) -- First team 5A-6A All-State selection and finalist for Alabama's prestigious Mr. Football Award ... Rushed for 1,880 yards on 221 carries (8.5 yards per carry) and 35 TDs senior season ... Also had 225 yards of receiving and two TDs, 812 kickoff return yards and one TD, and 330 punt return yards and three TDs ... As a junior, gained 1,300 yards and scored 17 TDs ... Also returned kickoffs and punts ... Five of his returns went for TDs ... Was honorable mention All-State and All-County junior season ... Rolled up impressive career numbers as he had 5,676 all-purpose yards, including 3,806 yards rushing and 55 TDs ... Earned letters in football and track ... PERSONAL: Son of Jimmy Williams ... Full name is Robert Carl Williams ... Born: April 3,1980.
CLIFF WOODRUFF, L, 6-7, 255, Oxford, Miss. (High) -- Two-time first team All-Conference defensive end ... Defensive Lineman of the Year ... Made Clarion-Ledger Top 40 list ... Selected to All-Area team final two years ... PrepStar magazine All-Regional pick ... North Half Mississippi All-Star squad ... Missed four games during senior season after breaking his foot ... Had 78 tackles senior year, including 17 solo hits ... Also caused three fumbles, recovered three fumbles, batted down six passes and had four QB sacks ... After transferring to Oxford, his two-year totals with the Chargers included 160 tackles (32 solos), five fumbles caused and five fumbles recovered, 14 passes batted down, and 12 QB sacks ... Coached in high school by Tim Carter and Robert Youngblood ... Earned three high school letters in football and basketball ... Who's Who Among High School Students ... Student of the Month Award ... PERSONAL: Son of Cliff and Jean Woodruff ... Full name is Clifford Edward Woodruff, III ... Born: March 24, 1981.
MARCUS WOODSON, B, 6-0, 180, Moss Point, Miss. (High) -- A two-year starter, "Wood" was credited with 55 tackles his senior year when he also had eight pass interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, three fumble recoveries, and two caused fumbles ... Career totals include 143 tackles, 11 interceptions, 21 pass break-ups, five fumble recoveries (1 TD), and six caused fumbles ... Rated first team All-Region and All-Coast honors senior season ... Was preseason All-State ... Was team's Defensive Back of the Year and Rotary Club Player of the Week (10-5-98) ... Earned two letters in football and one in track ... Coached in high school by Jerry Alexander ... Helped lead Moss Point to a pair of state championships as team went 13-1 and 14-1 ... Honor Roll student ... PERSONAL: Son of Lee and Burnetta Woodson ... Full name is Marcus Andrew Woodson ... Born: March 16, 1981.
DEMETRIC WRIGHT, B, 5-11, 180, Courtland, Miss. (South Panola) -- First team All-State selection ... All-Conference ... Most Valuable Defensive Player in District ... Clarion-Ledger Top 40 pick ... USA Today honorable mention All-America ... Q93 Scholar-Athlete of the Week ... Had 44 hits senior season, including 24 solo stops ... Recovered two fumbles ... Had 13 pass interceptions, including one TD ... Coached in high school by Ed Stanley ... Earned four letters in football, four in basketball, and four in track ... PERSONAL: Grandmother is Margaret Middleton ... Full name is Demetric Lavon Wright ... Born: May 15, 1980.