Hattiesburg High sending six players to the next level is a good indicator of where the Tiger program is at right now, according to head coach Tony Vance.
“It just shows where our program is and where we’re continuing to go,” Vance said. “These young men put in the work, time and effort, and I’m certainly proud of them.”
On the heels of their historic, 14-1 season, the Tigers saw a half dozen of their players sign football scholarships. Five signed with junior colleges on Wednesday, while Fabian Franklin made it official with TCU in December during the early signing period.
Defensive back Raykell Ducksworth, linebacker Letrelle Johnson and offensive lineman Quincy McGee chose Southwest Mississippi Community College; Linebacker William Robinson picked Coahoma Community College; And athlete Raheem Willis is headed to Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Including Franklin, the six players were honored Wednesday in a signing ceremony.
“I think every last one of them is going to have success at the next level,” Vance said. “I think each and every one of them chose their institutions strategically. They know where they’re going and what they have to do to get on the field when they get there.”
Franklin, the top-ranked running back in the 2018 class according to 24/7 Sports, was no doubt the headliner. He chose the Horned Frogs over Mississippi State, who he had been committed to since the summer and up until the middle of December.
At the end of the day, Franklin says TCU was the better fit for him.
“I chose TCU because out of all the schools, they showed the most love,” Franklin said. “For them to come from Texas to holler at me and see what I’ve got going on, it made a difference for me.
“It’s just the best school for me and my family. It’s the best fit for me where I can go play early and get that chance. That’s why I chose TCU.”
Vance says his star running back handled the change of heart with grace.
“I don’t think he [Franklin] could’ve handled it any better. I could have wrote a script, and it couldn’t have been better than what he did,” Vance said. “He’s a team player all year long and never got down about what was going on.
“Even last year through some injuries, he played through it. Early part of this year, he still averaged six yards per carry and didn’t get a lot of carries this year. But he was integral to what we did on offense, because everybody had to key on him because he’s a game-changer.”
The rest of their signees could also be classified as that. Robinson led the team in tackles with 70, while Johnson led them in quarterback sacks with nine. Ducksworth, also the team’s punter, finished with three interceptions and averaged 41 yards per boot. Willis played all over the field on offense and special teams, scoring six touchdowns which all come through the air. And McGee helped pave the way for Franklin’s six yards per carry average and Drexlan Allen’s breakout season.
