Prestigious all star game will have record number of Mississippi Coast athletes
The 39th annual Mississippi-Alabama All Star game will feature more Coast players in the spotlight than ever before.
A record-shattering 12 players from South Mississippi have been selected for the home state roster, which was revealed Wednesday by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
It represents a sharp increase from having just three players sent to the prestigious postseason event a year ago and easily clears the region’s previous record of eight players sent in 1988, 1989, 1991, 2004, 2016 and 2022.
“Really proud for the Coast region as a whole, I think it says a lot about the type of players we have down here,” Gulfport coach and MS offensive coordinator Blake Pennock told the Sun Herald. “I think it also speaks to the level of coaching around the Coast and the increased investment from the schools into their development.”
The senior-only event’s heavy Coast presence underscores the unprecedented level of D-I talent the region is producing out of the 2026 class. Notable MS alumni of the game include former George County quarterback Deuce Knight, Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown.
Below are the 12 athletes who will be representing the state in December against Alabama’s top players.
- RB Cooper Crosby, Gulfport - Louisiana commit
- TE Hayden Berglind, Ocean Springs - uncommitted
- OL Jayden Ross, Ocean Springs - Mississippi State commit
- OL Dalton Toothman, Vancleave - Mississippi State commit
- OL Mitchell Smith, Picayune - Vanderbilt commit
- DL Nolan Wilson, Picayune - Alabama commit
- DL Jazear Carter, West Harrison - uncommitted
- DL Jayden Curtis, St. Martin - Ole Miss commit
- LB Andre Peters, Gulfport - East Mississippi C.C. commit
- LB Jarrad Loper, Pascagoula - uncommitted
- S Tylan Wilson, Pascagoula - Texas A&M commit
- S Tomareo Johnson, Pascagoula - Mississippi State commit
Joining Pennock on staff will be Pearl River Central coach John Feaster as defensive line coach West Harrison’s Quincy Patrick will coach outside linebackers.
The game is slated for a noon kick off on Dec. 13 at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. The Coast contingent will be tasked with helping the Mississippi side stop the bleeding in the one-sided series. Alabama has won five in a row and holds a 27-11 all-time advantage.
Mississippi is 3-2 when playing on its home turf, but has dropped each of the last two at Southern Miss.
The Bernard Blackwell North-South All Star game rosters were announced, as well. The South team will be bolstered with 12 Coast players.
- QB Parker Nettles, Gulfport
- RB Jordan Stapleton, West Harrison
- WR John Feaster Jr, Pearl River Central
- WR DJ Nunnery, Pascagoula
- OL Hayden Ainsworth, Biloxi
- OL Cohyn Myers, Ocean Springs
- DL Javen Bolden, Picayune
- LB Jaquan Thompson, Biloxi
- LB Caleb Triplett, D’Iberville
- LB Yusef Colding, St. Martin
- ATH Sharroid Whitehead, Ocean Springs
- K Peyton Williams, Ocean Springs
Picayune coach Cody Stogner will serve as an assistant. That game is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at Milner Stadium in Gulfport.
