Matt Vines
The widespread success of North DeSoto football means that colleges have been sniffing around Stonewall for quite some time now.
Here’s a list of former Griffins, where they are playing college football, and what their careers have looked like so far.
Johnny Mitchell, Jr. DT, Northwestern State
Mitchell started three of the final four games (eight appearances) in the 2022 season and appeared in four games in the 2023 season. He’s a load at 355 pounds and certainly should factor into the defensive line equation. He recovered his first fumble of this career in 2023 against Southeastern, but his most impressive performances came in 2022. He made nine tackles total, including a career-high four against a No. 12 Southeastern squad. Mitchell started his career as a two-sport athlete, competing as a thrower in track and field. He had three top-12 finishes at the Southland Conference Championships in 2022 but has since shifted his focus to football only.
Brian Banks II, R-FR, RB, Northwestern State
New head coach Blayne McCorkle and a new coaching staff could give younger players a more even footing heading into the season. Brian Banks II is the heaviest running back of the bunch at 225 pounds and could force his way onto the field after redshirting this past season. Three running backs who earned carries are back, but those three combined for less than 350 yards in the six games NSU played this past season.
David Atkins, So. WR, Southern Arkansas
Atkins made the most of opportunities as a redshirt freshman, catching three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came on a 33-yard strike in a rout of Northwestern Oklahoma. Southern Arkansas put together its first 10-win season since 1952. Even though Southern Arkansas favored the run game this past season, Atkins should have a chance to widen his role in the passing game as head coach Brad Smiley has historically thrown the ball a lot. Smiley is a former Northwestern State offensive coordinator and should dip back into Louisiana often for players.
Saeveonne Jackson, So. OL, Millikin
Saeveonne Jackson is an offensive linemen at Millikin University, a Division III school in Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 375-pounder appeared in three games as a freshman this past season. Millikin didn’t win a game in 2023 but is rebuilding.
Marques Hampton, R-FR DE, Louisiana Christian
Hampton didn’t see the field as a true freshman, but the Wildcats went 9-2 and are ranked No. 21 in the nation heading into this season. Hampton will try to break into the lineup as a sophomore.
INCOMING FRESHMAN
North DeSoto’s large senior class produced plenty of college football prospects. Below is a list of 2024 seniors who will be starting their college football careers.
Landry Wyatt, WR, Louisiana Tech
BT McMillian, LB, Harding (reigning D-II champions)
Lake Bates, S, UL Lafayette
Corbyn Cross, Calvin
Trysten Hopper, East Texas Baptist
Gage Caskey, East Texas Baptist