By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

SouthMiss6 Sports is rolling out its annual roster of the top standout prep football players in our coverage area. The “Sweet 16 in the Southern Six” list was compiled by coaches and sports writers who have been following the action on the gridiron in South Mississippi for the past three decades.

Several factors are considered in selecting he prestigious list, but just a small part of that is the number of “stars” a player carries with his name. This list is compiled of what we feel is the TOP returning players in the “Southern Six” from last season.

One player will be revealed and added to the list each day beginning today and over the next 10 days.

Next up is a highly sought after offensive lineman in the Class 7A ranks:

(6) Hayden Ainsworth

Biloxi | 6-foot-5, 305 pounds | Offensive line | Senior

Ainsworth recently reclassified and will bypass his junior season with the Indians and play as a senior this year.

The monstrous 6-foot-5, 300 pounder is considered a three star recruit, and has committed to Nebraska after other offers from Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Okalahoma and Florida State among others.

He is rated the fifth-highest offensive lineman and the second-highest inside lineman recruit in the state according to 24/7 Sports Composite.

According to one site: “Ainsworth has a prototypical tackle frame and moves well for his size. He’ll be expected to anchor the edge in a conference known for relentless pass rushers, and he looks like he’ll be up to the task.”

Some observers also feel like Ainsworth is versatile enough that he could play guard on the collegiate level as well.

(5) Dalton Toothman

Vancleave | 6-5, 295 | Offensive line | Senior

The powerful Tootman returns as a major presence up front for the Bulldogs as they look to return to the Class 4A South State playoffs for the fourth straight season.

The massive 6-5, 295 pound three star recruit recently committed to Mississippi State over other offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, Clemson, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, FSU, and LSU among others.

He is the No. 20 player in the state, and he earned Class 5A First Team All-State honors last season as a junior

(4) Sharroid Whitehead

Ocean Springs | 5-9, 170 | Quarterback | Senior

As a junior last season, Whitehead produced 1,061 rushing yards with 160 carries and 13 touchdowns and added 669 passing yards and eight scores.

He guided the Greyhounds to yet another Region 4-7A title last year, stepping into the role as full-time signal-caller mid-way through the season after seeing time elsewhere in the backfield and on the wing as well.

The three-star recruit has offers from Baylor, Florida State, Penn State and Georgia among others at this point. Ocean Springs is aiming for a school record fifth straight region championships as the Greyhounds enter the 2025 season on a 24 game league win streak

(3) Ty Keys

Poplarville | 6-2, 200 | Junior

If he never played another game during his final two years of eligibility, Keys has already cemented his legacy in Hornet history after limited time in just his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Keys was named the Most Valuable Player of the game when Poplarville captured a thrilling 29-28 win over perennial state power Louisville in the Class 4A state title tilt as he finished with 130 yards rushing on 23 carries and a touchdown. He also converted a two-point conversion and had a kickoff return for a touchdown and was named the “Most Valuable Player” in the game as PHS won its first-ever state title.

Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oregon and Penn State have already offered Keys, along with quite a few others and that list is groing by the day.

(2) Nolan Wilson

Picayune | 6-4, 240 | Defensive line|Senior

Wilson is a four-star and the No. 3 recruit in Mississippi and No. 6 overall defensive lineman. As a junior, he had 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, with six sacks and seven forced fumbles.

He committed to Alabama recently, choosing the Crimson Tide over Miami, Ole Miss, Florida and Auburn. He also had offers from Oklahoma, Tennessee and Auburn among many others.

(1) Tylan Wilson

Pascagoula | 6-2, 185 | Defensive back|Senior

The four-star is rated as the No. 11 recruit in Mississippi and No. 21 overall safety. Wilson produced 73 tackles with two for loss had six interceptions and six pass deflections last season.

He has narrowed his next destination down to Arkansas, Texas A&M and Clemson, and will make a decision next week. He also had offers from He holds offers from Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Miami, among others.