BOONEVILLE, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football program currently has 37 student-athletes continuing their playing careers at four-year institutions.
Twenty former Tigers play NCAA Division I football with seven calling a Power Five university their home. Fourteen alumni play at the Division II level while four suit up for Division III schools.
The following is an update on how members of the Northeast family have fared at the end of one full month of the 2023 campaign.
Deantre Prince (Charleston) is in his third season at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He was tabbed as a Preseason All-SEC selection by Athlon Sports and named to 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. Prince has 16 total tackles, one interception and two pass breakups this season. He had a season-high five tackles against the University of Alabama.
Offensive lineman Will Derico (Montgomery, Ala.) has appeared in all six games this season for the University of North Alabama. UNA averages 171 rushing yards and 251 passing yards per game. The Lions ran for a season-high 246 yards against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and threw for a season-high 425 yards against Eastern Kentucky University.
Alfernee Hankins (Charleston) is in his second season at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He has 26 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks through five games for the Weevils. Hankins had one of his better statistical games against East Central (Okla.) University with six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Javian Gipson-Holmes (Oxford) is in his first season at Midwestern State (Texas) University. He has posted 26 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Gipson-Holmes recorded a season-high nine tackles against Eastern New Mexico University. He has recorded six or more tackles in three of his four contests so far this season.
Kevin Hurley (Walnut) is in third season at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Hurley threw his first touchdown pass a Miner against the University of Arizona. He ran for 41 yards against Louisiana Tech University.
Former Academic All-America® selection Jamarcus Smith (Saltillo) is in his second season at the University of West Alabama. He leads the team with 38 total tackles through five games. Smith recorded a season-high 10 tackles in their opener against Angelo State (Texas) University. He recorded 1.5 tackles for loss against both Delta State University and Limestone (S.C.) University.
Jamal Ellis (McDonough, Ga.) joins Smith at West Alabama. He has totaled 12 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks in five games. Two of his sacks came against Limestone. Ellis finished with 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks while being named second-team All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) last season. Ellis was also named to the 2023 Preseason All-GSC team.