Seated (L to R): Carlos Everett, Anthony Mayes, Carlos Meeks and Marcell Young. Standing
(L to R): Hinds defensive coordinator Larry Williams and Hinds head coach J. Mike Smith. All
four of these players signed with Jackson State University on Wednesday.

Hinds football advances its talent
on National Signing Day

02/08/08 - The Hinds Community College football program has a long standing tradition of success. With that success comes the advancement of many Eagles to the four-year collegiate ranks. Wednesday was no exception, as numerous Hinds gridiron stars signed scholarships on National Signing Day to continue their playing careers beyond junior college.

Jackson State University picked up four Eagles in all, two on the defensive side and two on the offensive side. Carlos Meeks (6'2", 235) of Jackson, a linebacker, and Marcell Young (6'0", 190) of Utica, a safety, look to provide immediate assistance on the defensive side of the ball. Meeks led the state in tackles as a sophomore with 100 solos and 17 assists. Young gave strength to the Eagle secondary, as he finished with 20 solo tackles.

Carlos Everett (6'1", 190) of Webster, Fla., and Anthony Mayes (5'10", 170) of Jackson, will be perfect additions at wide receiver for the Tigers offensive attack. Everett caught 13 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown in 2007, while Mayes led Hinds with 33 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Mayes, who received All-State honors, also averaged 20.5 yards per kickoff return.

All four of these signees played in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-Star game in December. Hinds quarterback Terrance Barnes also signed with JSU in December as part of the early junior college signing period.

"All four of these guys were instrumental in our success and had the right attitudes that were conducive to our team," said Hinds coach J. Mike Smith. "They were the group of sophomores that understood what we trying to accomplish."

Hinds also saw four other sophomores sign with four-year school on National Signing Day. The first signee was Derrick Newton of Utica, an offensive lineman. Newton (6'5", 310) signed with Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., on Wednesday. Newton received All-State honors as he helped stabilize the offensive line for Hinds in 2007.

Cedrick Pendelton (6'1", 300) of Edwards, also an offensive lineman, signed with Miles College in Fairfield, Ala.

Omar Spears (5'10", 185) of Vicksburg, a defensive back who tied for second in the state with six interceptions, signed with the University of Louisiana-Monroe in Monroe, La., and has already enrolled in classes for the spring semester.

Omar Spears (6'4", 230) of Baton Rouge, La., a defensive end. Spears has signed with the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala. Spears proved to be a force among the Eagle front line, finishing with 40 solo tackles on the season.

"All of these guys signing to move on to the next level is indicative of the type of leadership that we had this season," said Smith.