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 started a similar team several years ago with Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Elite 11 Preseason Football Team based on our All-Metro team selections from last season. This is the sixth 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.
KNOLYN BAILEY, LANIER, JUNIOR, RUNNING BACK
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Bailey gained 1,754 yards, 8.6 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns and helped Lanier to a 10-2 record and the MHSAA Class 5A first round as a sophomore. He was a second-team running back on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Bailey has Division I offers from Miami, Ohio, and Tennessee-Martin.
“Knolyn has a great year on the ground with 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games,” Lanier coach Tommy Kelly said. “He had a good spring working on the small things, blocking and catching the ball and being a more versatile football player. Knolyn has been working hard this summer, running hills and doing cardio to carry the load. The more he gets the ball, the stronger he gets and he usually wears the defense down. He is an important player for the offense and sets the tone or us every game.”
TRAE COLLINS, TERRY, SENIOR, DEFENSIVE BACK
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Mississippi State commitment and Ridgeland transfer had 62 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups, 2 caused fumbles and 1 fumble recovery and helped Ridgeland to a 11-2 record and the MHSAA Class 6A semifinals as a junior before he changed schools. He was a first-team defensive back on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Collins is rated the No. 32 player in Mississippi and the No. 147 safety in the country in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports.
In addition to MSU, Collins has 22 more Division I offers, including Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Jackson State, and four more SEC schools, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and LSU.
“Trae is a very smart and respectful young man,” Terry coach Kris Thigpen said. “He’s great with his teammates and as talented as he is, he doesn’t have an entitlement attitude when it comes to football. Trea is coachable. When your best player is that way, you have a chance to have a very special team.”
MARCUS DEAR, PEARL, SENIOR, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-3, 315-pound Dear had 27 tackles, seven for loss, and two sacks and helped Pearl to a 3-7 record as a junior. He was a second-team defensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
“Marcus is the anchor of our defensive line,” Pearl coach Patrick Schooler said. “He’s the guy everything starts with up front. Our run defense will go as he goes, and when he plays with relentless effort, he’s one oof the toughest defensive lineman to block. We’re excited about his leadership and the impact we expect him to make this season.”
DE’SHAWN DILLON, NORTHWEST RANKIN SENIOR, WIDE RECEIVER
The 6-4, 170-pound Georgia Tech commitment had 67 catches (tied for third in Mississippi) for 979 yards (19th in Mississippi) and six touchdowns and helped Northwest Rankin to a 6-5 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round as a junior. He was a second-team wide receiver on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Dillon is rated the No. 16 player in Mississippi and the No. 71 wide receiver in the country in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports.
In addition to Georgia Tech, Dillon has offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Florida State.
Also a guard in basketball, Dillion was named the Mississippi Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year and averaged 17.9 points and 5.1 rebounds and helped Northwest Rankin to a 21-12 record, the Class 7A state semifinals and a No. 22 ranking in Mississippi by MaxPreps last year as a junior.
He is ranked No. 2 in Mississippi and No. 23 shooting guard in the country in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports. Dillon has offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Jackson State and New Mexico State. He was a member of the first team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team this year.
“De’Shawn is an elite talent,” Northwest Rankin coach Devin Cooper said. “I love the humble approach he takes to the game of football. De’Shawn is an awesome young man to be around as a person and athlete. He will be a fun guy to watch play this year. His ceiling in really high.”
WELLS HIGGINBOTHAM, GERMANTOWN, SENIOR, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-foot, 265-pound Higginbotham helped Germantown to an 8-4 record and the MHSAA Class 7A quarterfinals as a junior. He was a second-team offensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Higginbotham has an offer from Coahoma Community College.
“Wells is as tough as nails and loves the game as much as anybody on our team,” Germantown coach Russell Mitchell said. “He set the state record in his weight class in the squat back during powerlifting season. His coaches and teammates respect his grit and determination. He’s a joy to watch when we turn on the film. There will be a college that takes a chance on him as an offensive lineman that doesn’t necessarily have the height they’ve looking for, and they won’t regret it signing him. Wells has a bright future ahead of him as a college football player.”
CADEN MOSS, JACKSON ACADEMY, SENIOR, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-5, 305-pound Ohio State commitment was the anchor of the offensive line and helped JA to a 11-1 record and the MAIS Class 4A, Division I championship, the first state football title for the Raiders since 2011, and a No. 2 final ranking in Mississippi by MaxPreps as a junior. He was a first-team offensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Moss is rated the No. 3 player in Mississippi and the No. 7 offensive lineman in the country in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports. He was selected to the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl.
Moss verbally committed to Ohio State in late June. His other finalists were Ole Miss, Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, and Oregon. In addition, he has 22 other Division I offers, including Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and 10 more from the SEC other than the finalists.
Also a forward in basketball, Moss averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds and helped JA to a 22-11 record and the Class 4A, Division II state runner-up finish last year as a junior.
“Caden possesses elite physical traits that separate him from his peers,” JA coach David Duggan said. “He is an exceptional athlete who consistently displays outstanding balance, body control, and overall athleticism on the field. His natural physical tools allow him to play with confidence and efficiency in all phases of the game. As the season progresses, I expect Caden to continue to developing his overall game while embracing a larger leadership role. He has the ability to positively influence those around him and has the potential to become of the team’s leaders both on and off the field.”
EVERETT TURNAGE, GERMANTOWN, SENIOR, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-5, 335-pound Southern Miss commitment was the anchor of the offensive line and helped Germantown to a 8-4 record and the MHSAA Class 7A quarterfinals as a junior. He was a second-team offensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
In addition to Southern Miss, Turnage has Division I offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Air Force, Arkansas State, Dartmouth, Memphis, Navy, Nevada-Las Vegas, South Alabama, and Tulane.
“Everett has played a ton of snaps for us at left tackle and been a steady presence on our senior-laden offensive line that we will be counting on for experience and leadership,” Germantown coach Russell Mitchell said. “Hie’s got the size, strength, and athleticism to be one of the top offensive linemen in the state. Southern Miss is getting a great football player, student and person.”
CALEB UNGER, MRA, SENIOR, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Unger was the anchor of the offensive line and helped Madison-Ridgeland Academy to a 9-2 record, the MAIS Class 4A, Division I semifinals and a No. 4 final ranking in Mississippi by MaxPreps as a junior. He was a first-team offensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Unger is rated the No. 14 player in Mississippi and the No. 34 interior offensive lineman in the country in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports.
He has 23 Division I offers, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, and LSU.
“Caleb went up against about six Division I defensive ends and held his ground well last season,” MRA coach Herbert Davis said. “We are moving him to center this year, which will be his position in college. He is will our Alpha leader on this team. With us being very young and inexperienced in many positions, Caleb’s leadership will be vital to our performance this season.”
TRAVION WASHINGTON, BRANDON, JUNIOR, LINEBACKER
The 6-1, 190-pound Washington had 120 tackles, 25 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 passes broken up and 1 caused fumble and helped Brandon to a 7-6 record and the MHSAA Class 7A semifinals as a junior. He was a second-team linebacker on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Washington is rated the No. 8 player in Mississippi and the No. 21 linebacker in the country in the Class of 2028 by 247 Sports.
Washington has 33 Division I offers, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, and 10 other SEC schools.
“Travion is a great athlete who is dedicated to his craft and is one of the hardest-working young men in our program,” said Brandon coach Eugene Clinton, who was promoted from interim coach to head coach after last season. “He’s a versatile player who can play rush end, or middle linebacker, and he’s athletic enough to line up a outside linebacker as well. I believe he led our team in tackles last season, and I expect him to have another outstanding year. He’s a tremendous asset to our program, a high-character young man, and a solid student-athlete. We’re excited to see all that he’ll accomplish this season.”
COREY WIGGINS, MADISON CENTRAL, SENIOR LINEBACKER
The 6-4, 215-pound Western Kentucky commitment had 127 tackles, 9 for loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 1 caused fumble and helped Madison Central to a 6-5 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior. He was a second-team linebacker on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
He had 15 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 pass deflection in a 38-35 victory over Starkville this past season.
In addition to Western Kentucky, Wiggins has Division I offers from Southern Miss, Jackson State, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Army, Cincinnati, Dartmouth, East Carolina, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, North Alabama, Southern University, South Alabama, Tulsa, and Troy.
“Corey is a tremendous talent with all the measurables,” Madison Central coach Toby Collums said. “He had a great junior season both on and off the field. We expect Corey to be a leader on defense this year.”
A starting forward in basketball, Wiggins averaged 2.5 points, and 3.2 rebounds and helped Madison Central to a 17-15 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior.
GRAHAM WILLIAMS, CLINTON, SENIOR, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
The 6-4, 320-pound Williams was the anchor of the offensive line and helped Clinton to a 4-6 record as a junior. He was a second-team offensive lineman on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
“Graham will be a three year starter for us,” Clinton coach Hamer Morgan said. “He is a great team player and leader. He’s strong, athletic and loves the details of the game. He comes from a football family (his father Charles played football at Clinton High, Hinds Community College and Ole Miss and his brother Cam played at Clinton High, Hinds CC and now at Belhaven). Graham is a great student athlete. I’m glad he is a Clinton Arrow.”
Williams has offers from Southern Miss, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, California, Colorado, South Alabama, Southern Illinois, Texas-El Paso, Coahoma Community College, East Central CC, East Mississippi CC, Hinds CC, Jones County JC, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Northwest Mississippi CC, and Southwest Mississippi CC.
