Northeast Mississippi Mid-year Signing Update

Booneville, Miss.—Twelve former Tigers recently signed scholarships to continue their academic and football careers with four year institutions according to Northeast head coach Ricky Smither.

“We had a lot of sophomores who did great things for us the two years they were here,” Smither said. “Those guys helped us be successful and we are glad we could help get them move on and pursue their education and athletic aspirations,” Smither said.

During the 2011 season, Northeast had 26 total sophomores on its roster and that upper class leadership definitely showed and helped propel Smither and company to a 6-3 overall record, with a 4-2 mark in the North Division, while helping to lead the Tigers to its first playoff appearance since 2005.

WR Donte Barksdale, OL Antonio Foster, and OL Kyle Davis helped set the offensive pace in 2011. Barksdale plans to help the receiving corp at Delta State while Foster will play in the trenches for the Memphis Tigers and Davis will attend Kentucky Wesleyan to play for the Panthers.

On the defensive side of the ball, Northeast had nine players sign scholarships with NJCAA All-American DB Deion Belue leading the way by inking with the Alabama Crimson Tide, while his counter part, CB Jeremy Spikner is headed to Troy University.

DE Pat Moore and DT Jeremiah Booth also signed on with Alabama schools with Moore heading to the University of South Alabama and Booth to the Lions of North Alabama.

Former Northeast safety Devin Lindsey and DB Marvell Taylor signed with Arkansas Tech University while linebacker Courtney Sutton inked with the Boll Weevils of Arkansas Monticello.

A pair of Anthony’s moved on from Northeast with one traveling to the Volunteer State and the other to the Blue Grass State. Defensive end Anthony Brown—who played linebacker during his freshman campaign at Northeast—will look to make his presence felt at the University of Memphis while DL Anthony Payne will hope to do the same at Murray State.

Former Northeast kicker Taylor Earhart passed up scholarship opportunities in order to walk-on at Mississippi State University.

“I am so proud of all these guys,” Smither continued. “I think they will all contribute in a big way at their respective schools and they all deserve the opportunity. We take pride in making sure we help players in our program move on to the next level,” said Smither.