MAIS Preseason All State Team: Offense
In this article:
Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy! QUARTERBACKS Deandre Smith Deandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Greenville Christian | 2022 State MS | Greenville Christian Smith has been one of the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingGet 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!
QUARTERBACKS
Deandre Smith Deandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Greenville Christian | 2022 State MS | Greenville Christian
Smith has been one of the most electric players in Mississippi since his freshman year. In his first season at Greenville Christian last year, Smith continued to dominate some of the state’s best competition in the MAIS. He has a big arm and can make any throw on the field, while also being able to take over games in the run game. Lists offers from Arkansas State, Lousiana Monroe, and Southern Miss among others.
Mack Howard Mack Howard 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Oxford | 2023 State MS | Heritage Academy
The junior phenom has drawn a lot of attention from major universities after his big season last year. Howard is a prototypical passer who can make accurate throws at all levels and delivers the ball on time. He throws his receivers open and gets the ball out of his hand quickly. Watching for him to be one of the state’s best quarterbacks this upcoming season. Lists offers from Louisville, Kansas, Houston, and Cincinnati among others.
Tyler Fortenberry Tyler Fortenberry 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Brookhaven Academy | 2022 State MS | Brookhaven Academy
The 6’5″ senior was another quarterback who seemed to dominate every game last year. Fortenberry attacks downfield often and has a big enough arm to consistently complete deep balls. In the run game, he can extend plays with his leg or be a threat to call his own number and score from anywhere on the field. Love the upside that he brings to the table. No offers currently, but watch for that to change in time.
RUNNING BACKS
Marcus Harris Marcus Harris 5'9" | 225 lbs | RB Jackson Academy | 2022 State MS | Jackson Academy
With over 1500 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, Harris was one of the most productive backs in the MAIS. To top things off, he is on track to become the leading career rusher in Jackson Academy’s history. Harris is a bowling ball type runner who bounces off contact with ease. He has a nasty stiff arm move too and can out run defenders once he gets to the second level. Lists an offer from Brevard College.
Carter Cockrell | Simpson Academy
The junior running back was a key playmaker for Simpson Academy last season. With over 1600 total yards and 19 touchdowns, Cockrell was a threat to score every time he touched the football. Cockrell has special speed out of the backfield and can make defenders miss in the open field. He can also catch well and be a true three down back. Due for another huge season this year.
Xavier Davis Xavier Davis 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Hartfield Academy | 2022 State MS | Hartfield Academy
Davis is one of the biggest sleepers in the state. He has great speed and can score in both the passing game and running game. Davis has loose hips which allow him to wiggle and bounce off of contact with ease. Good luck trying to bring this guy down with arm tackles. The senior back will be a key player to watch this season. Lists offers from Samford and multiple local JuCos.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Davis Dalton Davis Dalton 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Madison-Ridgeland Academy | 2022 State MS | Madison Ridgeland Academy
The Southern Miss commit is one of the best wideouts in Mississippi. All this guy does is score touchdowns! Dalton totaled 38 catches last year with 14 of them going for scores. The long and athletic receiver has fantastic hands and can catch anything in his area. Dalton also has good speed and can take the top off of a defense. Looking for him to be an early contributor at USM after his senior season this year.
Daniel Smith Daniel Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Jackson Academy | 2023 State MS | Jackson Academy
The younger brother of LSU signeee Deion Smith, Daniel made a name for himself last season during his first year at JA. The rising junior is an electric playmaker with great speed in the open field. Smith is capable of taking screens to the house and can blow by defenders on the way there. Tons of potential for him to be the next big thing. Lists offers from LSU and Mississippi State.
Christian Wright Christian Wright 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Cathedral | 2022 State MS | Cathedral
With 975 yards and 12 touchdowns, Wright was one of the leading receivers in the MAIS last season. Wright is a big time possession receiver who does an excellent job of tracking the football. He runs crisp routes and has the ability to run double move routes as well. Wright has natural hands and makes a ton of tough grabs downfield. Expecting another dominate year from the senior.
Josh Sykes Josh Sykes 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Park Place Christian Academy | 2022 MS | Park Place Christian
A long and athletic wide out, Sykes produced at a high level last season as the go to player in the passing game. Sykes tracks the ball well and has smooth hands when running across the field. Using his speed, he is a vertical threat that forces corners to back up and respect him. Lists no offers currently but watch for them to pop up during the 2021 season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Carter Edwards Carter Edwards 6'6" | 275 lbs | OL Presbyterian Christian | 2022 State MS | Presbyterian Christian
The Colorado commit has been one of the most highly recruited OL in Mississippi this cycle, and for good reason. At 6’6″, Edwards has the frame and athleticism that college coaches dream of. He is light on his feet and plays well in space. Edwards shines in pass protection due to his athleticism and strong first punch, but can also dominate in the run game. Complete package of an offensive lineman due for a big senior year.
Wil Saxton Wil Saxton 6'4" | 325 lbs | OL Benton Academy | 2022 State MS | Benton Academy
The Southern Miss commit has shown that he is one of the best OL in the state over the last year. Saxton is a special interior lineman who plays with a violent edge to him. Once he gets hands on a defender, it is game over. This is a naturally strong and tough kid that wants to dominate any and everybody. Looking for him to cap off a very impressive HS career before he heads off to Hattiesburg.
Kamron Barnes Kamron Barnes 6'5" | 325 lbs | OL Adams County Christian | 2022 State MS and Kyron Barnes Kyron Barnes 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Adams County Christian | 2022 State MS | Adams County Christian
Rarely do you see two twin brothers committed to a big time Division 1 program, but the Barnes brothers are. The Southern Miss commits almost mirror each other’s play styles and are two of the most dominant linemen in the MAIS. Both play big and have great athleticism to them, allowing them to dominate in the run and pass game. This is a deadly combo down at Adams County Christian.
Tanner Welch Tanner Welch 6'8" | 320 lbs | OL Northwest Rankin | 2023 State MS | Hartfield Academy
The lone junior on the OL list, Tanner Welch Tanner Welch 6'8" | 320 lbs | OL Northwest Rankin | 2023 State MS has become a name to know throughout the southeast. The 6’8″ tackle has quick feet and fires off the ball with impressive burst to him. Welch is one of the largest players in the state and uses his size and strength to his advantage. Love his upside and ready to dominate again this season. Lists an offer from Louisville.