Five Indians sign to play at the next level
Five Itawamba Community College players signed with four-year universities on the opening day of early signing period.
FULTON, Miss. - Four Itawamba Community College players signed with four-year universities on the opening day of early signing period.
TJ Atkins - Stephen F. Austin University
SO - WR - 6'1 185 - St. Louis, Mo.
Atkins finished the season with 22 catches for 284 yards and a team-high three receiving touchdowns. As a freshman, the St. Louis native caught three passes for 54 yards and was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Honor Roll as a member of the Southern Illinois University football team. Stephen F. Austin competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and is a member of the United Athletic Conference, which was formed after a merger of the Western Athletic and Atlantic Sun conferences. Austin is the first Indian to sign with the Lumberjacks since defensive end Kentarrius McDonald signed in 2011.
Samson Israel - University of Memphis
SO - DB - 6'1 169 - Douglasville, Ga.
Israel finished fifth on the team with 35 tackles (29 solo; 6 assists) and one tackle-for-loss while breaking up a team-best five passes. As a freshman, the Georgia native totaled 33 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, five interceptions and four pass breakups as a member of the Coahoma Community College football team. Israel is the first player to sign with Memphis since defensive back Sylvonta Oliver inked with the Tigers in 2019. The University of Memphis, which is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, which plays in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers are 9-3 and will be making their 10th-straight bowl game appearance when they take on Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Rodney Newsom - Western Kentucky University
FR - OL - 6'3 287 - Memphis, Tenn.
Newsom earned honorable mention All-MACCC honors after anchoring an offensive line that cleared the way for one of the nation's top rushers in Charleston French, who averaged 102.7 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Newsom joins former Indians Dexter Fryer (1992), Mike Montgomery (1992), Chris Perkins (2006) and Connor Popeck (2012), who took their talents to Bowling Green, Ky. Western Kentucky competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and are in the Eastern Division of Conference USA. The Hilltoppers finished the 2023 season with an 8-5 record after overcoming a 28-point deficit to defeat Old Dominion, 38-35, in overtime in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Will Spain - Delta State University
SO - DL - 6'2 266 - Gordo, Ala.
Spain totaled 21 tackles (6 solo; 15 assists) with one sack, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, one pass breakup and a blocked kick. As a freshman, the Gordo, Ala. native had 19 tackles, a sack and three tackles-for-loss for the Indians. ICC has sent 42 players to Delta State since 1974. Most recent players include 2022 signees Eddie Lewis, Wade Cannon and Qu'Darius Hodges. Delta State is an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Gulf South Conference. The Statesmen finished 10-2 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Jared Morrow - University of Arkansas at Monticello
FR - OL - 6'3 285 - Mount Zion, Ga.
In his freshman season, Morrow lined up beside Newsom on the offensive line that paved the way for French. Morrow joins former Indians Ray Fowler (1988), Justin Swan (1997), Justin Smith (2007), William Green (2010), Canden Daniels (2011), Deon Knox (2016) and Ja'Vunta Woodall (2021), who took their talents to Monticello, Ark. Arkansas-Monticello is an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Great American Conference. The Boll Weevils finished the 2023 season with a 2-9 record with wins over Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State.