Robert Wilson spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News as a sportswriter with more than half of those years covering high school sports, mostly in the Metro Jackson area. He helped choose the Dandy Dozen in various sports for more than a decade. Wilson rebirthed a similar team three years ago with Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Elite Eleven Preseason Football Team based on our All-Metro team selections from last season. This is the fourth annual team. Wilson selected the best players from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties from their performances last season. The players below are in alphabetical order.
By Robert Wilson
Otavius Hunt, Northwest Rankin, Senior, Defensive Back
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Hunt had 68 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery and helped the Cougars to a 5-5 record last season as a junior.
He was a second team All-Metro Jackson selection last year as a junior.
Hunt has offers from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central CC and Southwest Mississippi CC.
“Otavius is a great player, but even a better person,” Northwest Rankin coach Devin Cooper said. “He is very coachable on the field. Hunt brings a tough mental and physical presence on the defensive side of the ball at safety. He is an impact player. Impact players find a way to get their hands on a football and lead in tackles on game nights. Otavius has worked extremely hard this offseason prepping his body, skill set, and mind for the upcoming season. Hunt is a leader on our team. I’m very blessed to coach this young man and be a part of his journey. I love how he is a team player.”
Northwest Rankin opens the season Aug. 30 at Germantown.
Micah Jones, Madison Central, Senior, Tight End
The 6-5, 225-pound Jones – who has verbally committed to Florida – caught 12 passes for 126 yards and 1 TD and helped the Jaguars to a 9-5 record and the first round of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs last season as a junior.
Jones was a second team All-Metro Jackson selection last year as a junior.
He is rated the No. 17 player in Mississippi and the No. 40 tight end in the country by 247 Sports Composite.
In addition to Florida, he has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, West Virginia, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Tulane, and Charlotte.
“Micah Jones has been a joy to watch and coach,” Madison Central coach Toby Collum said. “We knew when he was a ninth grader that he had a chance to be special and I would say he has exceeded expectations. I fully expect Micah to be successful at Florida and I’m looking forward to watching him compete in the SEC.”
Madison Central opens the season Aug. 30 at Ocean Springs.
Khalil Norwood, Brandon, Senior, Linebacker
The 5-11, 205-pound Norwood had 157 tackles (12.1 tackles per game), 14 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, 1 interception for a 53-yard TD, 1 caused fumble and helped Brandon to a 10-3 record and semifinals of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs last season as a junior.
He was a second team All-Metro Jackson last year as a junior.
Norwood had a season-high 20 tackles in the season opener against Picayune last year. He had a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win over Oak Grove in the regular season.
“Khalil has been a great player for us since he was a sophomore,” Brandon coach Sam Williams said. “He was a linebacker and running back at the junior high and ninth grade levels and eventually settled into the role of inside linebacker as he transitioned into varsity football. Khalil is a very athletic, super productive player who always seen so be around the football. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with football IQ, toughness, and a willingness to tackle.”
Norwood is the nephew of former Brandon High School All-American, Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, Mississippi State and NFL running back Jerious Norwood.
Brandon opens the season Aug. 30 at Picayune.
London Simmons, Hartfield Academy, Senior, Defensive Lineman
The 6-3, 290-pound Simmons – who has verbally committed to 2023 national semifinalist Alabama – had 78 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 caused fumble, 1 fumble recovery and helped Hartfield to a 14-0 record and its first MAIS Class 6A state championship in school history.
He was a first team All-Metro Jackson last year as a junior.
Simmons is rated the No. 15 player in Mississippi and the No. 41 defensive lineman in the country in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports Composite.
In addition to Alabama, Simmons has Division I offers from Jackson State, Arkansas, LSU, Vanderbilt, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina State, Tulane, Samford, Louisiana Tech, Alabama-Birmingham, and Western Kentucky.
“London has dedicated himself this offseason to being in top physical shape,” said Hartfield coach Craig Bowman, last year’s Metro Coach of the Year. “He is 50 pounds lighter and a lot faster than he was a year ago. London is going to be a lot of fun to watch this season.”
Hartfield opens the season Aug. 16 against Heritage Academy at home in Flowood.
Trae Stevenson, Germantown, Senior, Wide Receiver
The 6-foot, 170-pound Stevenson – who has verbally committed to South Alabama – set school records with 49 receptions for 842 yards and nine TDs and helped the Mavericks to a 5-6 record and the first round of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs.
He was a second team All-Metro Jackson last season as a junior.
In addition to South Alabama, Stevenson has Division I offers from Jackson State, Memphis, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Jacksonville State and Toledo.
“Trae has been an electric playmaker for us for the past two seasons,” Germantown coach Russell Mitchell said. “It’s exciting to watch him break away from the defense. Trae is one of those guys that never gets caught from behind. He’s really good at going up for contested catches, too. It’s been a joy to watch him mature as a young man the past three years. Everyone at Germantown is excited to see him perform as a senior.”
Germantown opens the season Aug. 30 against Northwest Rankin at home.
Case Thomas, MRA, Junior, Wide Receiver
The 6-1, 185-pound Thomas had 59 receptions for 1,286 yards – an average of 22 yards per catch – and 17 touchdowns and helped Madison-Ridgeland Academy to an 8-4 season and the MAIS Class 6A semifinals.
Thomas was a first team All-Metro Jackson last year as a sophomore. He was the only sophomore on the first team offense.
He has a Division I offer from Jackson State.
“Case has really improved his receiver skills this offseason to go along with his God-given ability,” MRA coach Herbert Davis said. “He’s a true playmaker.”
MRA opens the season Aug. 16 against Parklane Academy at home in Madison.
Reginald Vaughn, Hartfield Academy, Senior, Defensive Lineman
The 6-3, 250-pound Vaughn – who verbally committed to Arkansas Saturday – had 80 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and blocked 2 punts and helped Hartfield to a 14-0 record and its first MAIS Class 6A state championship in school history.
Vaughn was a first team All-Metro Jackson last year as a junior.
He is rated the No. 14 player in Mississippi and the No. 36 defensive lineman in the country in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports Composite.
Vaughn chose Arkansas over Ole Miss, MSU, and LSU when he made his announcement in late July. He also had Division I offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Indiana, Tulsa, Georgia State and Western Kentucky.
“Reggie has maybe gained the most strength of anyone in our program,” said Hartfield coach Craig Bowman, last year’s Metro Jackson Coach of the Year. “He has embraced our development program and we have watched him get stronger and stronger. Reggie loves to train, and I see it paying off big time once we get into the heart of our schedule.”
Vaughn had 89 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 force fumbles and 1 touchdown and helped Madison St. Joseph to a 6-6 record as a sophomore two years ago and was a member of the second team All-Metro Jackson.
Hartfield opens the season Aug. 16 against Heritage Academy at home in Flowood.
DJ Watkins, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Senior, Defensive Back-Wide Receiver
The 5-11, 175-pound Watkins – who has verbally committed to Arkansas State – had 27 tackles, 1 interception for a 24-yard return, 4 pass breakups, gained 448 yards on 67 carries (an average of 6.7 per carry), and 7 TDs, and caught 8 passes for 118 yards and 1 TD despite missing four games with an injury and helped the Raiders to an 8-5 record and the MAIS Class 6A semifinals last season as a junior. He also averaged 38.6 yards on 5 kickoff returns.
Watkins was a second team All-Metro Jackson last season.
He transferred to Madison Central after the Christmas holidays this year and then transferred to MRA this summer.
Watkins is rated the No. 41 player in Mississippi in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports Composite.
In addition to Arkansas State, he has Division I offers from Austin Peay, Campbell, Kent State, Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas A&M Commerce.
“DJ is so intelligent, instinctive, as well as very talented, and a great teammate,” MRA coach Herbert Davis said.
MRA opens the season Aug. 15 against Parklane Academy at home in Madison.
Kenzy West, Hartfield Academy, Senior, Defensive Back-Wide Receiver-Kick Returner
The 6-foot, 180-pound West had 52 receptions for 925 yards and 12 TDs, had 6 carries for 102 yards and 2 TDs, and had 22 tackles and 4 interceptions and helped Hartfield to a 14-0 record and its first MAIS Class 6A state championship in school history. He also had a 15.2-yard average on 15 punt returns and a 24.6-yard average on five kickoff returns.
West was a second team All-Metro Jackson last year as a junior.
West is rated the No. 19 player in Mississippi and the No. 92 athlete in the country in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports Composite.
West has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, Duke, North Carolina State, Memphis, South Alabama, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Toledo, Akron, Alabama-Birmingham, Grambling State, Jacksonville State, Samford, and Liberty.
“Kenzy is a dynamic as they come when he has the ball,” said Hartfield coach Craig Bowman, last year’s Metro Jackson Coach of the Year. “He has spent most of his offseason training on the defensive side of the ball, but he will have opportunities to touch the football on the offensive side once we get into the fall.”
Hartfield opens the season Aug. 16 against Heritage Academy at home in Flowood.
Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson, Senior, Defensive Lineman-Tight End
The 6-2, 225-pound Willis – who has verbally committed to Mississippi State – had 113 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 20 ½ sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 blocked punts, gained 163 yards on 13 carries (12.5 yards per carry) and 3 TDs, caught 18 passes for 470 yards (26.1 yards per catch) and 6 TDs and helped Velma Jackson to a 13-1 record and the MHSAA Class 1A runner-up finish last season as a junior.
He was a first team All-Metro Jackson last year.
Willis is rated the No. 7 player in Mississippi and the No. 20 edge rusher in the country in the Class of 2025 by 247 Composite.
In addition to MSU, Willis has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Jackson State, Missouri, Baylor, and Arkansas State.
“Tyshun was very instrumental in the success of our team last season,” Velma Jackson coach Bernard Euell said. “The thing that makes Tyshun so special and separates him from other high school athletes in his maturity, hard work, dependability, understanding of schemes, and dedication to be great. Tyshun loves to play this great game of football. The respect from his teammates has positioned him to be one of the most influential leaders for our team this offseason. I’m very excited to see what Tyshun’s senior season will bring. He has been working extremely hard this summer to get better. I expect him to have an even better season this year than last. He’s a very explosive athlete with really good size and speed. The thing that I’m most proud of Tyshun is his greatness as a person. He’s a wonderful young man with great character on and off the field. Tyshun’s teammates love him, and he loves them.”
Velma Jackson opens the season Aug. 30 at Canton.
Bralan Womack, Hartfield Academy, Junior, Defensive Back-Wide Receiver-Kick Returner
The 6-foot, 185-pound Womack had 26 tackles, 7 interceptions for 89 yards and 2 TDs, 1 fumble recovery for a 52-yard return, and caught 32 passes for 562 yards and 10 TDs and helped Hartfield to a 14-0 record and its first MAIS Class 6A state championship in school history last season as a sophomore. He also averaged 54.8 yards on four kickoff returns and 2 TDs and averaged 30.1 yards on nine punt returns and 2 TDs.
Womack was a first team All-Metro Jackson last year, the only sophomore on the first team defense.
He is rated as the No. 1 player in Mississippi, the No. 1 safety in the country and the No. 26 player in the country in the Class of 2026 by 247 Sports.
He has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Washington, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Duke, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Central Florida, Memphis, Louisville, Nevada Las Vegas, and Western Kentucky.
“Bralan has had a tremendous offseason,” said Hartfield coach Craig Bowman, last year’s Metro Jackson Coach of the Year. “He is one of the hardest workers I have coached. Bralan is also constantly working with our underclassmen to make them better players. I am really proud of the leadership role Bralan has taken with this team.”
Hartfield opens the season Aug. 16 against Heritage Academy at home in Flowood.
