VELMA JACKSON’S TYSHUN WILLIS EARNS JUNCTION DELI METRO JACKSON FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

By Robert Wilson

Gavin Griffin scored a Mississippi single season record 314 points, led Velma Jackson to MHSAA Class 1A state runner-up finish and was named the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 1A Mr. Football and the Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Player of the Year last season.

There’s a new leader at Velma Jackson and his name is Tyshun Willis and last week he had an incredible game.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior running back-tight end-defensive end and Mississippi State commitment had 15 carries for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns, 4 catches for 59 yards and a TD, and 8 ½ tackles, 3 for loss, and 4 sacks and led Velma Jackson to a 24-22 victory over MHSAA Class 4A Yazoo County last week.

For his outstanding performance, Willis has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.

Willis caught a 7-yard TD pass in the first half, ran for a 62-yard TD in the third quarter, and a 60-yard TD in the fourth quarter, which was the winning score of the game.

He had 5 carries for 47 rushing and 1 TD, 3 catches for 47 yards and 1 TD, and had 6 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, 3 hurries and blocked a punt for a TD in a 45-28 loss to MHSAA Class 5A Canton in the season opener.

Willis is a member of the Performance Therapy/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Football Team this year.

“Tyshun was very determined Friday night to lead his team to victory,” Velma Jackson coach Bernard Euell said. “He displayed a strong will to win and his teammates followed. He showed why he’s considered one of the top players in the state of Mississippi. He is definitely one of the most versatile athletes in any classification and his stats showed just that.”

Willis 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 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,” 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. He worked extremely hard this summer to get better. Tyshun is 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.”

Willis is the son of Shantay Willis. She went to Velma Jackson and Holmes Community College. Willis’ oldest brother, Anatavious, played football at Velma Jackson and Southern Miss. His oldest sister, Tyasia, played basketball at Velma Jackson, Pearl River CC, and Bethel College and is now playing professional basketball. His younger brother, Trevon, is a sophomore at Velma Jackson and plays football. His younger sister, Precious, is a sophomore at Velma Jackson and plays volleyball and does powerlifting. Willis’ grandparents, Irene and James Bacon, have been big influences in his life.

Velma Jackson’s next game is Sept. 19 at Jim Hill.

Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.