SENATOBIA - National Signing Day proved to be another successful one for coach Benjy Parker and the Northwest football program, as the Rangers welcomed 27 new signees.

This year's class was once again loaded with in-state talent, along with several from neighboring states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee. Below is a full list of the Rangers' signing class, as well as brief facts for each student-athlete.

Northwest finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 7-3 and the program's 10th straight appearance in the MACCC playoffs.


Jonathan "Jon Jon" Faulkner
6-0 | 220 | LB | Senatobia, Miss. (Senatobia HS)
Compiled 77 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, seven quarterback hurries, six sacks and three interceptions as a senior...was chosen as the Region 2-4A Defensive MVP...chosen to compete in the 2023 Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Game.

Britten Traylor
6-1 | 180 | WR | Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)
Caught 45 passes for 744 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior...had four 100-yard receiving games, including a season-best effort against Horn Lake, where he caught seven passes for 209 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Antione Keefer, Jr.
6-2 | 230 | LB | Memphis, Tenn. (Southwind HS)
Finished with 110 tackles as a senior, including 20 tackles-for-loss...also compiled seven sacks, five quarterback hurries, three defensive touchdowns and a forced fumble...played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Football Game in December.

Caden Hodges
6-5 | 285 | OL | Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo HS)
Earned first team all-division honors as a senior...also collected first team all-state accolades.

Charles Woodard
6-2 | 245 | DL | Starkville, Miss. (Starkville HS)
Compiled 92 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss and six sacks as a senior...named as an Under The Radar prospect by Prep RedZone Mississippi.

Connor Hillman
6-4 | 260 | OL | Flora, Miss. (Tri-County Academy)
Was part of two state championship teams at Tri-County Academy, including the 2023 squad...was chosen as an All-MAIS offensive lineman as a senior...was part of an offensive line that paved the way for 42 points per game, 232 rushing yards per game and 195 passing yards per game.

Cris O'Neal
6-0 | 180 | WR | Conway, Ark. (Conway HS)
Helped Conway to a 10-2 overall record and the semifinals of the AHSAA Class 7A Football Playoffs.

Damari Burton
6-1 | 180 | DB | Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo HS)
Earned first team all-division honors as a senior.

Deondre Riley
6-0 | 175 | ATH | Charleston, Miss. (Charleston HS)
As a senior, helped Charleston to its first state title since 2011...caught 68 passes for 1,122 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Joey Colella
5-10 | 160 | LS | Flowood, Miss. (Northwest Rankin HS)
MAC First Team All-State selection.

Keon Hutchins
6-0 | 220 | WR | Union, Miss. (Union HS)
Caught 44 passes for 1,030 yards and 11 touchdowns last season...had three straight games with seven catches, including a 234-yard effort with four touchdowns in a victory against Newton County.

Marion Keyes
6-2 | 180 | DB | Laurel, Miss. (West Jones HS)
Helped West Jones to the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship last season...totaled 53 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and an interception.

Montra Sanford
6-2 | 250 | DL | Charleston, Miss. (Charleston HS)
As a senior, helped Charleston to its first state title since 2011...was the Tigers' leading tackler, compiling 84 tackles, five sacks and an interception.

Qua Middlebrooks
5-9 | 157 | RB | Tupelo, Miss. (Tupelo HS)
Earned first team all-division accolades as a senior...rushed for 772 yards and four touchdowns on 98 carries...averaged 7.5 yards per carry...also caught 16 passes for 219 yards and five touchdowns...averaged 13.7 yards per catch.

Rase Jones
6-2 | 220 | LB | Laurel, Miss. (West Jones HS)
Helped West Jones to the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship last season...chosen as the Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year...competed in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.

Sam Walton
6-0 | 185 | ATH | Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)
As a senior, finished with 61 total tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback hurries and two sacks.

T.J. Spann
6-4 | 360 | DL | Clinton, Miss. (Clinton HS)
Chosen to compete in Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Game as a senior...also selected to 2023 PriorityOne Bank All-Metro Football Team.

Elliot Helps
6-3 | 205 | DB | Olive Branch, Miss. (Lewisburg HS)
Totaled 117 tackles last season, including 88 solo...also nabbed seven interceptions, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and a fumble recovery...also racked up 235 all-purpose yards, including 107 interception return yards...racked up 24 total tackles in a single game against Lake Cormorant.

Nate Kelley
6-6 | 315 | OL | Mantachie, Miss. (Tupelo HS)
Selected to compete in the Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Game as a senior.

Trevion Killette
5-11 | 180 | DB | Pensacola, Fla. (Escambia HS)
Totaled 109 tackles during his junior and sophomore seasons...tacked on seven interceptions and two tackles-for-loss.

Chris Thomas
6-3 | 205 | LB | Southaven, Miss. (DeSoto Central HS)
Tallied 92 tackles as a senior, including three games with 10 or more tackles...earned a season-best 11 tackles against Olive Branch...also credited with 40 quarterback hurries, 12 sacks, four fumbles caused and three recovered fumbles...named to Region 1-7A team.

Christopher Rodgers
6-3 | 275 | OL | Lexington, Miss. (Holmes County Central HS)
Named to MAC All-State team as a senior...also chosen to compete in Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Game.

Hayden Wolfe
5-10 | 160 | Specialist | Clinton, Miss. (Clinton HS)
Punted 36 times, averaging 42.8 yards...12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line...competed in the 2023 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game.

Jacobie Johnson
6-3 | 255 | OL | Rolling Fork, Miss. (South Delta HS)
Totaled 53 tackles as a senior, including a season-high 12 tackles against Mount Olive...also accounted for a sack in a win against Shaw.

Nate Walker
6-0 | 200 | LB | Amory, Miss. (Amory HS)
Totaled 138 tackles as senior, including 35 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, six forced fumbles, two pass breakups and two interceptions...three-time all-state selection.

Preston Smith
6-3 | 245 | OL | Grenada, Miss. (Grenada HS)
Chosen to play in Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game...first team all-state selection.

Tyrell Averhart
6-2 | 250 | DL | Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Earned 175 career tackles, including 50 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries...two-time all-state and all-region selection.