Starkville Program Review
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The current 6A State Champions are regarded by many as the best team in the state. They played an incredible season and ended with a 12-3 record and a 7th State Championship Title. This excellent program is consistently near the…
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Continue ReadingThe current 6A State Champions are regarded by many as the best team in the state. They played an incredible season and ended with a 12-3 record and a 7th State Championship Title. This excellent program is consistently near the top of the football rankings and cultivates top-tier athletes. The coaches, players, and community all support each other as they foster this winning atmosphere therefore they have earned the title of Mississippi State Champions.
2022 Season Key Contributors
Petty is an exceptional competitor and a huge reason for this team’s winning season and championship title. Trey had a total of 47 touchdowns and 3,500 all-purpose yards. With the ball in his hands Trey Petty Trey Petty 6’1″ | 190 lbs | QB Starkville | 2024 State MS is nearly unstoppable. Petty graduates in 2024 therefore he will have another season at the helm of the Yellowjackets and prove that consistency as a playmaker. Nevertheless Petty has already received 3 offers including Mississippi State, Southern Miss and San Diego. This young man is an exeptional athlete as I mentioned and will certainly be a great formative athlete next season.
Braylon Burnside Braylon Burnside 6’1″ | 180 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2024 State MS is considered to be one of Mississippis Top 10 Receivers in regards to yards this year. Burnside is an all around explosive route runner who has speed, size and power. Braylon averaged nearly 80 yards a game for a total of nearly 1,200 for the season. Furthermore Braylon has displayed excellent yards after the catch ability as he reached the endzone 11 times this year. Braylon also graduates in 2024 but has already been a formative piece to this offense. With Starkville’s other main threat Jaylon York Jaylon York 6’0″ | 175 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2023 State MS graduating this year Braylon’s work share may increase dramatically next year. Burnside is a 4 Star Athlete and has received a plethora of offers including Florida State, Jackson State and Mississippi State. I wouldn’t be surprised if more offers come in after Christmas break or even throughout the next season. The Yellowjackets will be thrilled to have him back in 2023.
Ny’jadus Roberts-Holloway
Ny’jadus Roberts-Holloway
Ny’jadus is a monster of an athlete at linebacker. He stands at 6-2, 225 and packs a punch with every hit. Roberts-Holloway was quite efficient at getting the opponent’s ball carriers on the ground. He collected over 170 tackles, 97 of those being solo tackles recorded a sack and even got two interceptions. His performance this year makes him eligible to be one of the State’s Top Tacklers and even Top 5 linebackers. Ny’Jadus has proven that he can play ball at a high level. He would make an excellent addition to any D1 or D2 program looking for a sure tackler. Unfortunately he won’t be returning to the yellowjackets next summer and his role on the team will be a hard one to fill. Nevertheless Ny’jadus was simply electric this year and will be wherever he plays.
Up and Coming Athletes
Starkville has a lot of seniors that will be lost due to graduation this year. Replacing their role on the team will be difficult but as everyone knows it’s always the next man up. Here are some athletes that could see their impact and role for the team increase in 2023
Courtland Cooper
Courtland Cooper
Cooper was a significant contributor to the run game this past season. Although he was not the main running back Courtland still received a decent amount of carries. As a sophomore Cooper averaged over 5.5 yards per carry and recorded 640 yards for the season. What is even more impressive is that Cooper managed to reach the endzone 11 times in 14 contests. Due to the vacancies created by graduation this season Cooper will most likely see his role and production increase dramatically. He is certainly an athlete to watch as he is an up and coming playmaker.
Jaiden Turnipseed
Jaiden Turnipseed
Jaiden is an incredible athlete who is quite under the radar for the Starkville Yellowjackets. Turnipseed was limited to only 4 contests but within those 4 contests he hauled in over 140 receiving yards. He has the hands and explosiveness needed to make big time plays on a regular basis. If Jaiden had played a full season he may have collected over 650 yards and multiple touchdowns. Nevertheless, It will be great to see Jaiden back in the starting lineup next season showing just what he can do with the ball in his hands. He will be an excellent complimentary piece to Braylon at receiver.
Starkville’s defense is going to be hit hard by graduation. At least 8 of their defensive starters will graduate this year leaving quite a void to be filled. If the coaches can put together a solid roster on defense this team will certainly be a State Championship contender come 2023.