Attention, recruiters: Meet the MS Coast’s top football prospects in 2027 class
South Mississippi’s Class of 2026 produced more ranked prospects and Division I signees than any before it in the area’s history.
An impressive feat considering the players and classes the Coast has produced in the past, and especially so in the transfer portal era, where high school recruiting isn’t emphasized as much as it once was.
That leaves big shoes for the Class of 2027 to fill.
There are already two blue-chip prospects and three players ranked inside the top-30 in the state. There’s a long way to go to match the previous class, which sent over a dozen players to the D-I level, but several of those players saw their recruiting skyrocket during their senior seasons.
This year’s class has the same opportunity.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the top Class of 2027 players on the Coast. Some are household names already, others are poised to crash the party.
Established Prospects
DL Sam LeJeune, Poplarville
LeJeune is a four-star lineman who eats up a lot of space in Poplarville’s front. He’s the No. 5-ranked prospect in the state out of his class, according to 247sports.com, and is currently the lone top-150 nationally ranked player on the Coast.
The 280-lb. two-way athlete showed off his athleticism by playing on both sides of the line of scrimmage and blocking five kicks on special teams as a junior. LeJeune would make 14 tackles for loss from the interior of the Hornets defensive line.
LeJeune is a hot prospect holding offers from over two dozen teams. Among them, he’s taken official visits to Florida State, Cal, Auburn and Washington.
RB Ty Keys, Poplarville
Jay Beech is hoarding the talent in Popvegas. A fully healthy Keys rewrote the history books with 3,285 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns last season. He nearly broke the state’s single-game rushing record with over 500 yards against Hancock and tied the touchdown record with eight that night.
Keys is a top-10 prospect in the state and top-20 nationally at his position. His offer sheet goes 30 teams deep, but made his commitment this summer to national champion runner-up Miami over the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Oregon.
ATH Jordan Walley, D’Iberville
The latest Walley to tear up turf on the Coast recently announced where his talents would be taking him. Jordan will be following in the footsteps of older brother Justin after committing to Minnesota in May.
While committed as a corner back, Walley plays both defensive back and quarterback for D’Iberville. He proved to be one of the toughest ball carriers to corral on the Coast a year ago after rushing for 776 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Walley chose the Gophers over offers from Ole Miss, Missouri and several others.
Rising Recruits
DL Nick Strickland, Gulfport
Along the loaded defensive front, the Admirals boast is the 295-lb. lineman Strickland. He’s coming off a junior season where he made 41 tackles and seven tackles for loss and started gaining traction on the recruiting trail.
Strickland’s recruitment has especially picked up in recent months with three Division I offers since May from Alcorn State, Jackson State and Nicholls.
Lawrence Robertson is another senior to watch on the Gulfport front. Robertson is the Coast’s leading returner in tackles for loss with 23 a year ago and has an offer from Alcorn St.
DL Amare Rogers, Biloxi
Rogers has enjoyed a fruitful offseason since his first D-I offer arrived in January from Southern Miss. He’s received a handful of junior college offers since then, as well as further offers from the D-I ranks from Samford, Alcorn State and Jackson State.
Rogers has a key season upcoming where the 260-lb. lineman is looking to build off a 33 tackle campaign with eight stops for loss.
QB Paris Trivillion, Pass Christian
There’s little question who the Coast’s top quarterback is this season. Trivillion led the lower six counties with 34 passing touchdowns as a junior and the former defensive back has over 4,500 passing yards under his belt.
Trivillion’s natural athleticism, evident as the school record holder in the long jump, helped him earn his first D-I offer from Jackson State in May.
WR Devon Garrett, Gautier
Fans of top-end speed will have plenty to enjoy in Gautier and several programs are vying to bring that speed to the next level. Garrett holds offers from Appalachian State, Western Kentucky, Tulsa and more.
Garrett caught 39 passes for 441 yards and five touchdowns and stands to benefit from year two alongside starting quarterback Keon McNeil.
ATH Kevin Marshall, Pascagoula
Marshall is back at Pascagoula for his senior season as the ultimate Swiss-army knife with varsity experience at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety and corner.
His versatility has attracted suitors from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, West Virginia and several others. Marshall has the potential to quickly climb the recruiting rankings during his senior season.
Others to watch
- QB Jordan Ramsey, Biloxi
- WR Ashaun Tubbs, Gautier
- RB Amijai Frederick, Gulfport
- OL John Christian Swetman, St. Patrick
- OL Wyatt Mizelle, Vancleave
