In the summer leading up to the 2017 season, Darius Ruffin said his personal goal was to catch 50 passes for 1000 yards during his junior year for the Hattiesburg Tigers.
Nearly six months later, Ruffin appears well on his way to achieving that after another big performance last Friday night. In the Tigers’ 49-9 playoff win over Stone, the wide receiver finished with eight catches for 141 yards. For his efforts, Ruffin has been named our Sports601 Hattiesburg Player of the Week.
“He’s been consistent for us all year and made tough catches all year,” Hattiesburg head coach Tony Vance said. “He’s done a great job for us, and we expected him to do so.”
Through 13 games, Ruffin has caught 51 passes for 886 yards.
“He’s one of those guys that not a lot people know about yet,” Vance added. “But when you pop that film on, you’re gonna say, ‘Who’s that kid?’”
Vance believes Ruffin has learned from some of the best throughout the years.
“Of course he learned a lot last year from the guys we had at wide receiver,” Vance said. “A guy like Jordan Murphy and that group. Also, Coach [Donovan] Tate has done a heckuva job with him. Him polishing him up has been huge for us.”
“He’s worked extremely hard to put himself in the position he’s in. We’re proud of him.”
Ruffin and the Tigers will be back in playoff action this Friday night at home against Laurel. Winner will advance to the Class 5A State Championship in Oxford.
