Tae-Kion Reed didn’t give the bystanders any warning.
If the New Hope High School senior had, those people sitting across from the signing table would have known to sit back and wait for him to throw the Mississippi State hat.
Instead, Reed’s decision to reach for the MSU hat and then quickly throw it and pick up an Ole Miss hat sent a ripple through the crowd in the school’s library. When Reed put the hat on his head, the last piece of suspense was gone on a morning Kris Pickle and the New Hope High football program sent four more to play in college.
In addition to Reed picking Ole Miss and double-signing with Northwest Mississippi Community College, Andre Erby signed with Northwest Mississippi C.C., T.J. Stephens signed with Jones County Junior College, and Jay Shinn signed with Northeast Mississippi C.C.
“I kind of went back and forth,” said Reed, who recently gave a verbal pledge to MSU. “I am big on family, and I had to figure out where my loyalties were. My loyalties were with (Ole Miss assistant coach) Matt Luke. I had to choose Ole Miss.”
Reed said Luke was at his house every day and repeatedly called him and checked on him. Reed said Luke also worked with Pickle and Mrs Vernessa Hayden, a tutorial teacher at the school, to assist him with his grades.
Pickle, whose program has sent 10 or 11 players to the next level in the last three seasons, said he learned about Reed’s decision about 30 minutes to the signing. He feels Reed will make the most of his opportunity for his family.
“I would have been equally happy if he went to Mississippi State or Ole Miss,” Pickle said. “It is a rare opportunity to get to a SEC school. To have a kid who can do that is a special thing.”
Pickle said Erby, Stephens, and Shinn made plays, which is a key factor in getting recruited. He feels all four will work hard after being three-year starters.
Erby said his family has been waiting on signing day. He said only a few of his friends and his parents knew he was going to sign with Northwest Mississippi C.C.
“It means a lot to get a chance to play in college,” Erby said. “People claim we’re not a football school, but we’re trying to make a change.”
Shinn said he likely will play safety after playing cornerback/wide receiver for the Trojans.
Stephens said JCJC is a good fit because he can play a similar role on offense to the one he played at New Hope.
“It is a blessing,” Stephens said. “This is a day that the dream came true. It feels amazing.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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