Strong group of locals suiting up this week

Editor’s Note: The E-T tries to keep up with all of the Sunflower County players playing at the collegiate level. If we have left someone out, please let us know, and we will include that player next week.

Sunflower County has put a wealth of talent onto college football fields over the past few years.

The 2019 season will be no exception, as former Indianola Academy and Gentry players will be sporting jerseys for numerous Division I schools and community colleges this fall.

Leading the way in this regard is former IA standout Sherman Timbs, a walk-on at Mississippi State. The sophomore is looking to get a lot of snaps for the Bulldogs in his second season.

The tackle enters his third season with the Bulldogs, spending 2017 as a true freshman and 2018 as a redshirt freshman.

He made his collegiate debut against Stephen F. Austin last September.

He is the son of Tim Timbs and Phyllis Sherman Timbs.

Quin Whitley

Northwestern State got a solid outside linebacker in Quin Whitley.

The Gentry High graduate spent two seasons at Holmes Community College prior to signing with the Demons last year.

During the 2018 season with Northwestern, he played in all 11 games, while starting 10.

He had 82 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for loss.

His two seasons at Holmes were just as impressive, as he accumulated 66 tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in his sophomore season. He is the son of of Belinda Smith and Willie Whitley. 

Jatavis Whitley

The Gentry High graduate will continue to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a tackler at Holmes Community College.

During his freshman season with the Bulldogs, Whitley recorded 27 total tackles, along with 15 assists. That amounted to 4.7 tackles per game.

He had two interceptions on the season, to go along with a fumble recovery.

Will Lang

The former Indianola Academy and Pearl River Community College kicker will be starting his career with the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles this fall.

Standing 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, the junior will wear No. 14 for Southern.

Stefon Smith

The 2018 Indianola Academy graduate is taking a lot of playoff experience into the Hinds Community College Eagles program this year.

Coming off his third appearance in the state championship game at IA, Smith will be showing off his speed and athleticism on the field on Thursday nights this fall.

He fielded a number of offers from colleges before signing with Hinds in February.