National Signing Day brought a harvest of new talent for Coahoma Community College Head Football Coach Travis Macon and his staff.
“We did a really good job of getting the guys we were after,” Macon explained in an exclusive interview with the Clarksdale Press Register. “We got guys in our district, out of our district, and good players who played in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star game.”
For Macon, meeting immediate needs meant a concentration on the position of wide receiver. Four of the Tigers’ signees will become receivers and hopefully strengthen the passing game. “I was not pleased with our wide receiver play last year, and I’m very happy about the receiver group of signees,” he said. When asked if he sought slot receivers or deep-threats, he explained that the deep threat was a major need. “We have some returning slot receivers, but we need guys who can stretch the field and stretch the defense,” Macon said.
On defense, the priority was clear. “We recruited linebackers who will have the opportunity to play immediately,” Macon added. We lost three starters from last year, so we signed two quality linebackers and had some more guys come in at mid-year.
The mid-year enrollees aren’t listed on National Signing Day, but they are important to the team. “We brought in two kickers at mid-year also,” said Macon.
When asked whether not signing a quarterback was intentional, Macon explained that it was a matter of strategy. “We may still sign one,” he said. “We have Mekhi Norris returning, so we had to prioritize getting receivers for him to throw to.”
For a community college coach, signing day typically means replacing a large part of the roster each year. Does the short-term stay of each player make it harder to evaluate their potential? “Absolutely,” Macon replied. “Because of the dead period, it’s difficult to get to these players and see them in person, so we have to rely on film. That’s especially hard with linemen. We like to know how they respond to adversity, and we like to see them during the plays and on the sideline. How do offensive linemen respond when they’re frustrated? How do defensive linemen react when they are double-teamed?”
Coahoma has a tryout day scheduled for Feb. 12. When asked what advice he would offer athletes considering a tryout, Macon said it was simple. “We’re going after specific needs. You need to be your absolute best in everything you do that day.”
When asked whether the new transfer portal has affected the Coahoma football program, Macon replied that it had affected the Coahoma sophomores. “The transfer portal hurt our sophomores,” he said. We had five guys sign Division-1 scholarships at small schools, but without the transfer portal, these guys would have signed with mid-major or Group of 5 programs.”
COAHOMA FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Jaylin Barnes
Offensive Lineman
6’3, 250
South Pike High School
Magnolia, Mississippi
Maurice Colar
Offensive Lineman
6’4, 280
Greenville Christian High School
Greenville, Mississippi
Immanuel Griffin
Running Back
5’10, 180
Ripley High School
Ripley, Mississippi
Luke Holland
Linebacker
5’10, 200
West Harrison High School
Gulfport, Mississippi
Ahmed Jackson
Wide Receiver
6’3, 205
Sandy Creek H.S. /Liberty University
Tyrone, Georgia
Terrick Latham
Wide Receiver
5’9, 160
Northside High School
Mound Bayou, Mississippi
D.J. McNeil
Wide Receiver
5/11, 170
South Pike High School
Magnolia, Mississippi
Marlon Palmer
Running Back
5’9, 215
Greenville Christian High School
Greenville, Mississippi
Wendell Poindexter
Offensive Lineman
6/1, 320
Greenville Christian High School
Greenville, Mississippi
Tylan Sherdon
Defensive Lineman
6’5, 260
Washington School
Greenville, Mississippi
Jashun Simon
Linebacker
5’11, 185
Warren Central High School
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Amarian Smith
Offensive Lineman
6’2, 270
Greenville Christian High School
Greenville, Mississippi
Clay Taylor
Safety
5’11, 175
Charleston High School
Charleston, Mississippi
Lavories Vivians
Tight End
6’1, 230
Clinton High School
Clinton, Mississippi
Kobe Wall
Offensive Lineman
6’2, 300
Amite School Center
Liberty, Mississippi
Jadarian Webb
Cornerback
5’11, 180
Greenville High School
Greenville, Mississippi
Tymon Wells
Defensive Tackle
6’2, 280
Simmons High School
Hollandale, Mississippi
Marquis Willis
Wide Receiver
6’4, 210
Roswell High School
Roswell, Georgia
Trikyus Woodall
Cornerback
6/0, 170
Lafayyette High School
Oxford Mississippi
Kam Wright
Defensive End
6’5, 235
Northside High School
Mound Bayou, Mississippi
