(***NOTE: This story has been updated from December 2022 to reflect additional players that have joined four-year programs.)

SENATOBIA - Early National Signing Day was a success for many football programs across the country in December, and Northwest was no exception. The Rangers also had several sign or join four-year programs in the months since.

Northwest was well-represented in the festivities, as a total of 22 departing sophomores signed their national letters of intent to NCAA programs across the country. (*Northwest later saw seven more players move on to Division I programs, including most recently defensive lineman Omar Pew.)

For Northwest, it is the most four-year signees in a single class in program history and gives head coach Benjy Parker a grand total of 148 four-year players since taking over as the head coach prior to the 2016 season. Of those 148 players, 121 have signed or walked on at FBS or FCS Division I schools.

Below is a closer look at the departing group of Rangers that signed with their respective programs between December 2022 and May 2023. (***NOTE: This is a running list that will continue to be updated as new signees are finalized.)


WR D.T. Sheffield; Washington State
A two-time NJCAA All-American, receiver D.T. Sheffield capped off his historic Northwest career by taking his place as the program's all-time leader in career receptions (135) and receiving touchdowns (26), while also finishing second all-time with 2,316 career receiving yards. During his three-year stint with the Rangers, Sheffield was part of three playoff teams, including the 2020 National Community College Football Championship squad. This season, he finished with 58 catches for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also racking up 226 punt return yards on 20 attempts. For his efforts, the Corinth native was awarded MACCC North Division Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year awards.

DB Stephen Hall; Washington State
On paper, one could assume that Stephen Hall had a quiet season in 2022. However, for those who watched him in person, Hall was actually a lockdown defender that opposing quarterbacks simply did not want to test. The Olive Branch product had five pass breakups this season and picked off one pass against Itawamba, successfully recovering from a 2021 season shortened by injury. Hall finished with 12 pass breakups for his career, along with 45 total tackles and a blocked kick earned during his freshman season.

DL Jykeveous Hibbler; North Carolina State
Opposing offenses despised facing Jykeveous Hibbler on the other side of the ball and his numbers prove why. The Louisville native blossomed into one of the most feared defenders in the NJCAA this season, as Hibbler ranked fifth in total sacks (9) and ninth in tackles-for-loss (16.5), while also collecting 41 total tackles. During his three-year stint in Senatobia, he racked up 73 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss and 15 sacks, ultimately choosing NC State over several other Power 5 offers.

QB Ren Hefley; Middle Tennessee State
Ren Hefley's first and only season at Northwest was nothing short of a success. The Little Rock native and Presbyterian College transfer garnered First Team All-American accolades by the NJCAA as one of the nation's top JUCO quarterbacks. Hefley finished with 2,476 passing yards and completed 209 of his 343 passing attempts, good for a 61 percent completion rate. He tossed 24 touchdowns against seven picks, tying for the national lead in passing touchdowns, while also scrambling for six rushing touchdowns of his own. Hefley joins an ever-growing list of Northwest quarterbacks under coach Stan Hill's tutelage to move on to the Division I level, joining the likes of Jack Abraham (Southern Miss/Mississippi State/Missouri), Jacob Free (Troy) and recent Associated Press All-American Michael Hiers (Samford).

LB Sam Brumfield; Middle Tennessee State
Speaking of Northwest alums heading to Middle Tennessee State, linebacker Sam Brumfield will also join his offensive counterpart in Murfreesboro next season. The Pearl native quickly developed into the Rangers' leading defender last season and further bolstered his résumé in 2022, growing his season total tackles from 93 to 115. Over the past two seasons, Brumfield racked up nine games with 10 or more tackles, catching the attention of numerous Division I programs across the nation. Despite not earning All-American consideration, Brumfield concluded his Northwest career with 218 total tackles, ranking second-most all-time only behind Mike McClenton (241; 1988-89).

TE Kevin Diaz; Arkansas State
Just one day after becoming the first Northwest tight end to ever earn NJCAA All-American honors, Kevin Diaz made his next destination official by signing with Arkansas State. Diaz was another highly-coveted player from the Rangers' offense and the Houston native put up impressive numbers over his two seasons in Senatobia. He earned first team All-MACCC North Division despite missing most of the second half of the season with injury, finishing with 12 catches for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For his career, Diaz totaled 36 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns.

DB Byron "Tank" Pearson; Ohio
One year after three Northwest players made their way to Ohio University, the Bobcats picked up another Ranger to add to their secondary. In three seasons at Northwest, Byron "Tank" Pearson made opposing offenses regret throwing in his direction, as the Oxford native totaled 24 pass breakups throughout his career and collected six of his nine interceptions this season. He earned Second Team NJCAA All-American accolades for his efforts this season.

OL Jay Mickle; UL-Monroe
Every dynamic offense needs a strong offensive line and through the years, Northwest has had plenty of reliable units under longtime offensive line coach Jim Jones. In his three seasons with the Rangers, Jay Mickle grew into a tough veteran presence on the front line, playing in nearly every game and starting in all 12 this season. The Picayune native was chosen for Second Team NJCAA All-American honors this season, becoming the first Rangers' offensive lineman to earn All-American status since Ashton Gist in 2019.

OL Matt Williams; UL-Monroe
Joining his offensive line teammate in Monroe is fellow three-year veteran Matt Williams. The former Nicholls State transfer made his way to Senatobia ahead of the Rangers' COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and became a mainstay on the offensive front ever since. Williams was named a Second Team All-MACCC North Division selection following the 2022 regular season and chose ULM over numerous other Division I offers.

OL Jamarr Davis; Buffalo
Northwest offensive linemen were in high demand for this signing class and Jamarr Davis was certainly no exception. The West Point product and First Team All-MACCC North Division selection originally committed to Appalachian State over several more Division I offers, only to be pursued by several more programs in the days following his original commitment. Davis, who played in every game this season, is the first Northwest player to join the University of Buffalo.

OL Jalen Nettles; UAB
Canton native Jalen Nettles continued the parade of Northwest offensive lineman signees with his decision to join UAB. Nettles, another First Team All-MACCC North Division selection, saw action in seven games during his freshman season and stepped up into a starting role for his sophomore campaign. Like many of his counterparts, he was heavily pursued by several more Division I programs before choosing the Blazers.

DL Omar Pew; Louisiana Tech
Good things come to those who wait and such was the case for defensive lineman Omar Pew. A Horn Lake native and former Nicholls State signee, Pew was a force to be reckoned with during his two seasons in Senatobia, tallying 65 total tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 24 career games played. One of his best performances came in a road win at East Mississippi on September 29, where he racked up seven tackles and two TFLs for nine yards lost. For his efforts during the 2022 season, Pew was selected as a First Team All-MACCC defensive lineman.

OL David Duvall; McNeese State
During his three-year stint with Northwest, David Duvall played in every game during the 2020 and 2022 seasons, and also played in five games before his 2021 season was shortened by injury. This season, Duvall stepped up as the Rangers' starting center following the departure of veteran Vance Van Every to Ohio. The Olive Branch native was a natural fit for the position, earning Second Team All-MACCC North Division honors and catching the eye of numerous Division I teams.

OL Jakobe McLaurin; Eastern Kentucky
Three-year veteran Jakobe McLaurin marked the sixth and final Northwest offensive lineman to sign to a Division I program yesterday. The Clinton product played in nearly every game this season and saw action in several others during his first two seasons, helping anchor the Rangers' seasoned offensive front that guided Northwest to three MACCC playoff appearances, back-to-back NJCAA Division I Playoff bids and the 2020 National Community College Football Championship.

WR Jaycob Horn; Eastern Kentucky
Receiver Jaycob Horn made quite the leap between his freshman and sophomore seasons in Senatobia. The Tupelo native and former Texas State transfer joined D.T. Sheffield in forming a 1-2 punch in the receiving corps this year, collecting First Team All-MACCC North Division accolades after catching 47 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Horn is the son of New Orleans Saints' legend Joe Horn, Sr. and the brother of Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.

DB Rontavious "Dude" Person; Central Arkansas
After announcing his commitment to Central Arkansas earlier this week, Dude Person went somewhat viral on social media with his unique nickname. But the Oxford native will likely have people remembering his name for his efforts on the field at UCA, after a successful three-year stint in Senatobia. Person earned Second Team All-MACCC North Division honors this season after totaling 88 tackles, nine pass breakups, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and an interception. During his Northwest career, Dude finished with 178 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 13 TFLs, two interceptions and a recovered fumble.

LB Kiyon Williams; Central Arkansas
Joining Person at UCA will be fellow Oxford native Kiyon Williams. Williams finished with 27 total tackles in his two seasons with Northwest, nine quarterback hurries, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. Most of his hurries and TFLs came this season.

LB Khamron Ford; Southeastern Louisiana
Khamron Ford was one of several Northwest players to make a successful leap from their freshman to sophomore seasons. The Olive Branch product went from totaling 15 tackles in eight games as a freshman to seeing action in every game during the 2022 campaign, finishing with 35 total tackles, three sacks and two pass breakups.

DB Jaylen Powell; North Alabama
Jaylen Powell might have been somewhat overshadowed during the 2022 season, but his numbers certainly don't lie. The Horn Lake product went from making seven tackles in limited action last season to finishing as the Rangers' third-leading defender this season, totaling 64 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. One of Powell's best performances came in the MACCC Championship against East Mississippi, where he racked up nine tackles and a pass breakup.

DL Quinzavious Warren; Jacksonville State
Some great football players have come out of Canton, Mississippi over the last few years and Quinzavious Warren definitely added his name to that list for Northwest. Warren played two seasons with the Rangers and became a major contributor on the defensive line this season, racking up 43 total tackles, three quarterback hurries and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. 

DB Tevin Bell; Alcorn State
In two total seasons at Northwest, defensive back Tevin Bell raked in 55 total tackles, one interception and 10 passes defended. He also recovered a fumble in the Rangers' playoff victory against Jones College on November 5 and blocked a kick in the 2021 season opener against Copiah-Lincoln. Bell also accounted for six pass breakups during his freshman season, bringing his Northwest career total to nine. 

DL Thurman Rayborn; Texas Southern
Thurman Rayborn IV closed out his Northwest career with 29 total tackles, highlighted by a strong freshman campaign. The Horn Lake native also posted a season-best three tackles in a victory against Itawamba on September 22, while also totaling two tackles in a road win at Coahoma on October 13.

DB B.J. Washington; Jackson State
One season in Senatobia was all that was needed for B.J. Washington to catch the eyes of Jackson State. The Flora native and Madison Central product was a big help in the Northwest secondary, accounting for 48 tackles, seven sacks, five pass breakups and three interceptions. His season-high of nine tackles came in the Rangers' MACCC semifinal victory against Jones College, and he also finished with two interceptions for 30-plus yards in games against Holmes (October 20) and the MACCC Championship against East Mississippi. 

RB Cayden Betts; Mississippi Valley State
Betts, a Corinth native and Northeast transfer, was an added piece to the puzzle of the Northwest backfield this season. After experiencing a slow start to the season, Betts broke out for a 102-yard game in a road win at East Mississippi on September 29, one of his two 100-yard performances. For the season, he finished with 660 yards and five touchdowns on 121 carries. Betts also reeled in 10 catches for 63 yards.

LB Fred Harris, Jr.; Mississippi Valley State
Though he saw limited action in one game during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Fred Harris, Jr. broke out during the 2021 campaign and further showcased his talents last season. He concluded his Northwest career with 98 total tackles, four tackles-for-loss, four passes defended and one interception. Harris accounted for a career-best seven tackles in each of his final three games in a Northwest uniform, all of which were postseason games against Jones College, East Mississippi and Iowa Western.

WR E. Jai Mason; Samford
For two of his three seasons at Northwest, E. Jai Mason was one of the top targets for former Northwest quarterback Michael Hiers. Now, the duo will reunite at Samford next season, as Mason officially inked with the Bulldogs yesterday. The Jackson native accounted for 384 yards and five touchdowns on 36 receptions this season, but finished his Ranger career with 97 grabs, 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.

DB Jordan Johnson; Bethune-Cookman
Johnson, a native of Cedartown, Ga., signed with the Wildcats on February 1 as part of the traditional National Signing Day. Johnson tallied six tackles for the Rangers, including two in a road win at East Mississippi on September 29.

WR Dekyren Johnson; Delta State
In his only season at Northwest, the former Copiah-Lincoln transfer hauled in 20 catches for 296 yards, with his season-best performance coming against Coahoma (two catches; 49 yards). The Oxford native will continue a long pipeline of former Rangers-turned-Statesmen, joining a Delta State team coming off an NCAA Division II playoff appearance.

DB James Spratt; Miles College
Amory native James Spratt saw playing time in every single game during his two-year career at Northwest, finishing with 24 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. He will join Miles College next season, a Division II program that competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).