STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School signing Class of 2017 was a lot more than Willie Gay.
In addition to the four-star linebacker who signed with Mississippi State, five other Yellow Jackets signed National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day to play football at the next level.
Senior offensive lineman Joey Claybrook led the group of five by signing with a NCAA Division I Tulane. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Claybrook will look to make an immediate impact.
Starkville High assistant coach Randy Carlisle said the difference between Claybrook and normal talented big-men is Claybrook was focused on learning one position instead of trying to play both sides of the ball at the next level.
“When Joey was in junior high, he took to a position (offensive line) and tried to master his skill in that position,” Carlisle said. “He bought into playing the offensive line and believed he could do it and be good at it. With such a big frame and long arms, he will be a great offensive tackle in his league. We will look up in his sophomore or junior year and he will be a starting offensive tackle for Tulane.”
Starkville High assistant coach Tate Fischer said Claybrook’s feet have helped him become a special player.
“With the size he is, he’s long and he’s got range,” Fischer said. “He is the perfect size for an incoming lineman at the collegiate level. He has the frame that he can add weight, too. He is so special because of what he has done not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. He is a quiet kid who has succeeded in the classroom.”
Nelson Jordan joined the Division I group by signing with Samford. Jordan matured from a role player on the defensive front with former teammates Kobe Jones (Mississippi State) and Maleke Bell (East Mississippi Community College) into a talented, impact performer.
Jordan teamed with Jones and Bell to help Starkville win the 2015 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State title. After playing with Jones and Bell, Jordan said he realized he could play at the next level. He bought into the team’s success and pushed his game up. The 6-2, 230-pound defensive lineman had 173 tackles and 26 sacks in his career at Starkville High.
Fischer said Jordan became the anchor on the defense.
“He really started listening to what the recruiters were selling,” Fischer said. “When he did that, he began to have more explosive plays and more hustle, especially in the game film. He listened and stepped up his game. He deserves the opportunity he is fixing to get.”
While three of the six signees went Division I, the other three — Jaquez Akins, Connor Reinike, and Jakoby Jones — signed to play at EMCC.
Akins, a 5-10, 175-pound cornerback, is full of grit. He had an outstanding senior season and played in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star game and was a centerpiece of Starkville High’s secondary.
Starkville High assistant coach Josh Pulphus said Akins’ determination helped him earn a chance to play in college ball. He believes that mentality will enable him to succeed at the next level.
“Even with his small size, he is going to succeed because they are going to bring a lot of competition for him,” Pulphus said. “He never backs down from competition, so that is going to help out. Scooba got a good player in him. His grit plays a much bigger role than his size.”
Reinike, a 6-1, 285-pound offensive lineman, was named to the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game. He also was a first-team member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Class 6A All-State team.
Reinike makes up for his lack of size with hard work. Being more critical on himself than any coach can be, Reinike tries to work harder than anyone.
Carlisle said Reinike wanted to play with the best and bought right in and had the right attitude after he transferred from Starkville Academy.
“After coming over his sophomore year, his mental toughness and his physical strength, he can bench 325 pounds, made him into such a great player,” Carlisle said. “He knows every block in the game and understands every play. He is a vocal guy who is going to teach everyone around them to be better.
Jones, a 6-3, 275-pound offensive lineman, also was named to the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game. He was a first-team pick to the MAC’s Class 6A All-State team and a first-team member of the All-USA Mississippi squad.
After the consolidation of East Oktibbeha County High, Jones transferred to Starkville High, where he blossomed. Fischer said Jones is the greatest success story of all the students who signed.
“Jones is a prime example of someone who benefited from having extra resources and facilities,” Fischer said. “He had never been pushed as hard as he was when he got here. He bought into our system, and once he learned how to work, he took off and surpassed almost everyone.”
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