SENATOBIA - Following another successful season that yielded division and conference titles, along with yet another appearance in the NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs, Northwest has continued to bolster its long-standing pipeline to the Division I level.

Throughout the month of December, a total of 16 members of the 2024 squad have either signed or committed to FBS or FCS programs, including the five Rangers that signed during the early period from Dec. 4-6. Now, programs such as Arkansas, UCF and Charlotte have benefited from adding Northwest student-athletes to their respective rosters.

One of the most notable recent signees is top-ranked JUCO defensive back Keshawn Davila, who chose Arkansas over offers from nearly 80 Division I programs. A native of Tampa, Davila had the Razorbacks in his final top three along with UCLA and Virginia Tech, but also held offers and interests from the likes of Michigan State, Florida, Arizona State and Iowa, among many others.

Davila was the definition of a lockdown corner during his two seasons at Northwest and returned two interceptions for touchdowns, tied for third-most in program history. As a sophomore, he earned seven pass breakups and three interceptions, garnering All-NJCAA Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC accolades.

Meanwhile, four Rangers are taking their talents to Charlotte next season: quarterback Zach Wilcke, receiver K.D. Gibson, defensive lineman D.J. Burgess and defensive lineman Jaylon Johnson. Wilcke, a native of Hernando and former Southern Miss transfer, finished with 164 completions and passed for 15 touchdowns in his lone season at Northwest. He ranked fifth in the MACCC in both passing touchdowns and passing yards per game (170.9).

Wilcke also finished the season with 2,051 passing yards, continuing a streak of Northwest quarterbacks that have finished with 2,000 or more passing yards in a season. The Rangers have had four straight years with a 2,000-yard passer and have achieved the same feat in seven of the last eight seasons, aside from a COVID-shortened six-game campaign in 2020. (The last full season Northwest went without a 2,000-yard passer was 2016.)

For his efforts, Wilcke earned both All-NJCAA Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC honors.

Gibson, one of Wilcke's top targets, is also joining his quarterback in the Queen City. A Tupelo native, Gibson flew under the radar within the conference, but finished as the Rangers' leading receiver this season, hauling in 47 receptions for 580 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 12.3 yards per catch and 48.3 receiving yards per game.

In the MACCC semifinal victory against No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gibson caught a pair of touchdown passes for 47 and 38 yards, helping Northwest take a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. He finished with 114 receiving yards in the contest, marking the only 100-yard receiving game of his Rangers' career.

As a freshman, Gibson also caught 10 passes, including a pair of touchdowns in wins against Coahoma and Holmes. 

Joining Gibson and Wilcke at Charlotte is Burgess, who signed with the 49ers late Sunday evening. The Oxford native and son of NFL veteran Derrick Burgess leaves Northwest as a two-time NJCAA All-American, earning Honorable Mention accolades during his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Burgess finished seventh on the team in total tackles (35), but second in sacks (4.5) and tied for fourth in tackles-for-loss (6.5). For his efforts, he also earned both All-NJCAA Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC honors.

Meanwhile, 2024 came to a close with Johnson signing with Charlotte on New Year's Eve. A native of Antioch, Tenn., Johnson ranked fifth on the Northwest defense with 46 total tackles, while his 11 quarterback hurries, 10 tackles-for-loss and six sacks led the team in all three categories. Those numbers include his four TFLs and three sacks in the Rangers' October 10 victory at Southwest Mississippi.

Johnson was chosen for All-MACCC accolades and committed to the 49ers over offers from Arizona, Eastern Michigan, Memphis and South Florida, among several others.

Linebackers also played a heavy role for the Northwest defense this season and two of those heavy hitters are bound for Division I programs as well. Caulen Dunn signed with Samford, while Kamp Shepherd committed to Nicholls.

An Honorable Mention All-MACCC selection, Dunn led the Rangers with 105 total tackles this season. Of note, the Olive Branch native and one-time Alabama State signee collected 23 tackles in the conference semifinals against Mississippi Gulf Coast, the most in a single game by any Northwest player since 1995. He also wrapped up his sophomore campaign with eight tackles-for-loss, four sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.

Dunn was chosen for back-to-back MACCC Defensive Player of the Week honors following the Rangers' conference playoff wins against MGCCC and East Central. 

Shepherd, a native of Flora, totaled 71 tackles this season, finishing second on the team behind Dunn. His 6.5 TFLs were tied for fourth with Burgess and he also earned one sack. Shepherd also tied Nate Walker with a team-best two forced fumbles, while tallying three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and an interception.

For his efforts this season, Shepherd was chosen as a First Team All-MACCC selection.

Offensive lineman LaParka Langston is another recent Division I signee, after inking with UCF earlier in December. The Jonesboro, Ga. native was voted as a First Team NJCAA All-American just last week, and earned All-NJCAA Region 23 and First Team All-MACCC honors during the Rangers' postseason run.

Another recent FCS signee is defensive back Carlando Crump, who officially signed with Campbell University on December 23. The Senatobia native and former Provine High School standout collected 23 total tackles this season, including a season-high four apiece in wins against East Mississippi and Northeast, along with a pair of fumble recoveries and pass breakups.

As a freshman, Crump spent time on defense and as a return specialist. He collected 19 tackles on the season, with nine of those coming against Holmes on October 26, 2023. He also returned 10 kicks for 174 yards, earning a career-long 28-yard return against East Mississippi on Oct. 5, 2023. 

As of this writing, tight end Joshua Humes (Coastal Carolina) and defensive back Elijah Ruffin (Alcorn State) have committed to their respective programs, but have yet to sign. Several other Rangers are also receiving offers at this time.

Northwest finished with a 10-2 overall record this season, the program's second 10-win season in the past three years. Coach Benjy Parker was named MACCC North Division Coach of the Year after helping the Rangers capture their 20th division title and 13th MACCC championship.