DALLAS, Texas - The final weekend of Bowl Season just means more to a handful of alumni from the Northeast Mississippi Community College football program.
Three former Tigers that are all now at Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools will conclude their respective 2023 campaigns by competing in postseason contests across the nation.
Two of those standouts are participating in New Year's Six games, which feature live coverage on ESPN. Triston Newson and the University of Missouri take on Ohio State University at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 29 at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Newson was a critical part of the Tigers' success over the final third of their regular season. He accumulated 32 of his 42 total tackles after moving into a starting role for Missouri during that stretch.
He was recognized as the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after recovering a pair of fumbles and tying a career-high with 15 tackles in the Tigers' victory at the University of Arkansas.
The Independence product appeared in each game during his inaugural year at Missouri. Newson also accounted for 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I All-American one year ago at Northeast after racking up 107 tackles and five takeaways between interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Deantre Prince wraps up his phenomenal tenure at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), which includes 35 career starts, by playing Penn State University in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 30.
The Charleston native has proven himself to be a reliable defender for the Rebels over the last three campaigns. He entered this season as the active leader in interceptions for Ole Miss with six.
Prince did not disappoint as a senior with 34 stops and a career-best five tackles for loss. His lone pick of the year came in the third quarter of the Rebels' come-from-behind win at Tulane (La.) University.
The 6-0, 185-pound cornerback had cumulative statistics over five collegiate seasons between Ole Miss and Northeast of 169 takedowns, 24 pass break ups, eight interceptions, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Prince obtained All-American honors from the Rivals recruiting network publication JCGridiron during his only campaign with the Tigers. He had 25 tackles and three takeaways to help Northeast finish as the division runner-up in 2020.
Hayden Brice suits up one last time for Auburn (Ala.) University in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. Kickoff on the 30th between the Tigers and the University of Maryland is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ABC.
The Jackson native came to Northeast in 2019 as a wide receiver. He hauled in 19 receptions for 220 yards over eight games with a touchdown in the Tigers' season finale at East Mississippi Community College.
Brice moved to tight end upon his arrival on the Plains, but eventually transitioned to defense. He has served Auburn primarily in a backup role, but did record a sack last year versus Western Kentucky University.