Matthew Adams
Managing Editor
As the new season for Jackson State University football slithers closer and closer, the time for recruits comes first. On Feb. 7, new recruits were unveiled.
The event showcased 26 players from all over the country who are joining the Jackson State Football program. During this event, the recruit’s highlights were showcased to the general public.
A majority of the recruits are from the South with states like Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina, and a couple of players from up North. There were a couple of transfer portal recruits as well.
Coach T.C. Taylor would have much to say about each recruit by giving unique descriptions of each recruit.
“Anytime you can grab someone out of the state of Florida, you know that he can run. Many people had [Kobe Boykin] rated as a 4-star… who can play running back and receiver,” said Taylor.
Taylor would follow up this statement by stating, “We want to bolster up our punt return and kick-off return and get us off the field.”
During the 2023 season, the Tigers would only average 15.32 yards on kickoff returns and punt returns they would average 8 yards.
The Jackson State coach would also go on to highlight another running back who will be in the company of Irv Mulligan and J.D. Martin.
Nate Blount IV, a running back from Brandon High School would be highlighted as a ‘hard-hat running back who operates with toughness, elusiveness, and patience,” according to Brandon Morton.
Coach Taylor shared an impressive description of Blount during the reveal.
“You see the size on this guy…he’s a chunky joker who can run the football,” Taylor stated.
Taylor would also share the sentiment, “We wanted to add another force out there with Irv[Mulligan] and J.D.[Martin].”
In his time with Brandon High School, Blount was able to amass over 3000+ yards from scrimmage. Blount also averaged 95.7 yards per game. Another feat that he was able to accomplish was having two 1300+ rushing seasons.
The last player that was highlighted during the event was Ja’Naylon Dupree.
Taylor would state, “We kind of stumbled on this kid…he ended up playing in the slot very physical receiver that got big-time speed. This kid can really fly when he touches the football field.”
Taylor would also elaborate on his skills by stating, “He lit it up in the slot.”
With his time with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Dupree led the Bulldogs in receptions with 48 and 8 touchdowns.
With new recruits and a new season ahead, current players give their thoughts on the goal that they want to accomplish.
Kobe Paul, a junior business entrepreneurship major from Dallas, Texas has many goals for the upcoming season.
“I look to be a leader for the team and being a leader for the team. I also want to be more of a vocal leader for the team to get to where we want to go,” Paul said.
Affirmations such as these grant new recruits a mentor and fellow teammate who looks to put the team first. Another current Jackson State player shares the same point of view.
Jalen Hughes, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Fort Worth, Texas would utter the simple phrase, “Start in Atlanta and finish in Atlanta.”
Last year, the Tigers went 7-4 while being 5-3 throughout conference play. With this new set of recruits, the Tigers look to make huge strides in the upcoming months to make it back to Atlanta. The first Tiger football game is against the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Aug. 31.
