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 was revealed and added to the list each day over the past 16 days. However, our 16th spot on the list resulted in a tie decision.

Next up is one of the top defenders in the Class 4A ranks:

(16-tie)Ayden Harmon

Poplarville | 5-9, 190 | Senior | Linebacker

No matter what else he accomplishes in his career as he enter his final season at Poplarville, Harmon will forever be etched in the lore of the Hornet program after his standout season last year.

He finished the 2024 season with 134 total tackles, one of the top stop marks in South Mississippi, with 11.5 tackles for a loss. He tallied four sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Harmon registered a game-high 14 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, in the Class 4A state championship game when his Hornets nipped perennial state power Louisville 29-28 to earn the first ever state title in program history.

He will look to guide Poplarville back to its sixth appearance in the Class 4A state championship contest in the past decade this year.

(16-tie) Jarrad Loper

Pascagoula | 6-0, 240 | Senior | Linebacker

Loper enters his final campaign with the Panthers after making heavy contributions defensively over the past two seasons.

The multi-sport and versatile standout registered 112 total tackles as a junior last year with six tackles for loss as well as three sacks. He also picked off two interceptions, had five quarterback hurries as well as two fumble recoveries and several passes defended.

In a 41-0 thumping of visiting Terry in the opening round of the Class 6A South State playoffs, Loper picked off a Bulldog pass and returned it 46-yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0 late in the first quarter. Then, on Terry’s next possession, Loper was right back at it again when he hauled in yet another errant pass and raced 32-yards for a score  and suddenly it was 27-0.

On Pascagoula’s next offensive possession, Loper came in to finish off another scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown plunge to make it 34-0 at halftime. It was the second short scoring run of the season for him from his fullback spot in Pascagoula’s short-yardage package.

All that came on the heels of a sophomore season that saw Loper burst on to the scene with 111 total tackles, including three stops for a loss, with three fumble recoveries and an interception as well.

Loper, who also fills a vital role at catcher for the Panther baseball team, has offers from North Alabama in football and also had an offer from Prairie View A&M as well as a host of juco slots.

(15) Jordan Stapleton

West Harrison | 5-8,185 | Senior | Running Back

Stapleton is one of the top returning ball carriers in the state as he enter his senior season with the Hurricanes.

He topped the “Southern Six” in rushing last season with an eye-popping 2,003 yards on the ground in just 10 games, for an average of just over 200 yards per contest at almost 12 yards per carry and 23 touchdowns.

While his rushing marks were single season records for the WHHS program, he was also a bit of a threat coming out of the backfield to keep opposing defensive units off balance through the passing game as he accounted for 352 yards in receptions and three more scores giving him 26 total touchdowns last season.

He has received offers from Tulane, New Mexico State, Jackson State and Alcorn State as well as a host of jucos in the state.

(14) Andre Peters

Gulfport | 6-0,220 | Senior | Linebacker

Peters returns for his bon voyage campaign with the Admirals after enjoying one of the best defensive seasons for a linebacker in the state as a junior last season.

He earned Class 7A First Team All-State honors and was named Defensive Player of the Year in Region 4-7A. He tallied an incredible 149 total tackles, including 88 solo stops nd seven tackles for loss. Peters also forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles nd registered two sacks.

He has an offer from Millsaps and a host of junior colleges.

(13) Jazear Carter

West Harrison | 6-2,2700 | Senior | Defensive lineman

Carter is a talented multi-sport standout for the Hurricanes who, despite his exploits inside the paint on the basketball court, has drawn much attention on the gridiron for his prowess in stopping opposing ball carriers.

He recently committed to Navy over several other offers including Army, Southern Miss, Air Force, and Alcorn State.

Carter had a high motor all season long last year as he patrolled the trenches inside and out along the defensive front for the Hurricanes and he ended up eclipsing the magical 100 total tackle plateau with 101 total stops, including 24 tackles for loss.

He returns for his final campaign, hoping to help the Hurricanes find their way into the playoffs for the first time in program history as West Harrison moves up into the Class 7A ranks for the first time ever.

(12) Tomaero Johnson

Pascagoula | 6-2,190 | Senior | Defensive Back

Johnson turned a lot of heads in just his one season on the gridiron so far in his high school career.

The Panther defender recently committed to Missisippi State over other offers from Tulane, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, UNLY, Charlotte and quite a few honors.

Last year in his junior season, he made a smooth transition from the basketball court to the football field and finished his up with 70 tackles, six interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. He is ranked as one of the top 35 players in the state of Mississippi by 24/7 Sports.

“His immediate standout is a combination of both speed and athleticism. It makes him an immediate threat on the defensive side of the ball and it is part of the reason why he is one of the top safety prospects in the state,” one service said of him.

(11) Jayden Curtis

St. Martin | 6-3, 260 | Senior | Defensive lineman

As a junior, Curtis was a force on the edge out on the edge recording 52 total tackles including 15 tackles for loss with six sacks.

The three star recruit, a recent commit to Central Florida, also had a forced fumble and an interception last year. He was coming off of a junior year

Curtis is a three-star prospect rated as the nation’s No. 132 defensive lineman and the No. 41 prospect in Mississippi’s strong 2026 class, per 247Sports. 

The powerful Yellow Jacket burst upon the scene as a sophomore with 35 total tackles in just nine games.

One service said of him “On tape Curtis shows quick moves to get off the line of scrimmage and cause disruptions in the backfield,”.

(10) Cooper Crosby

Gulfport | 6-0, 205 | Running Back| Senior

As a junior last season, Crosby racked up over 1,300 yards of total offense and 16 total touchdowns.

The three star recruit, a recent Louisiana commit picked up 1,032 rushing yards on 130 carries with 15 touchdowns and also had 278 receiving yards receiving with one score.

Cooper picked the Ragin’ Cajuns over Nicholls State, Army and Navy, among others. He is looking to guide the Admirals back to the Class 7A South State playoffs for the third straight season.

(9) Caleb Triplett

D’Iberville | 6-2, 215 | Linebacker | Senior

The Warrior senior is coming off a solid effort on the defensive side of the ball last season that garnered much attention from coaches on the senior college level.

Triplett, a three star recruit who recently committed to Mississippi State, finished up last season with 42 solo tackles, 82 total tackles and eight tackles for a loss. He also tallied eight quarterback hurries and three pass deflections as well as three sacks.

He chose the Bulldogs over Arkansas State, Jackson State and several juco offers. He helped guide DHS to its first state playoff berth in three years last season and now looks to duplicate the same feat this season.

(8) Jayden Ross

Ocean Springs | 6-6, 315 | Offensive Lineman | Senior

The massive Ross heads into his senior season as a recent Mississippi State commit as his Greyhounds go in search of their school record fifth straight region championship.

The three star recruit also had offers from Baylor, Colorado and Texas Tech among others. He is listed by one service as the listed as the No. 94 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 31 player in Mississippi.

He has been a main source of protection for an explosive OSHS offensive attack over the past few seasons and looks to close his career in the same capacity this season.

(7) Amarie Jackson

Pascagoula | 6-0, 180 | Running Back | Senior

Jackson registered 1,136 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns on 147 carries and added 229 receiving yards with three scores as a junior last season in leading the Panthers to a solid 9-3 mark.

Jackson has steadily solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with coming out of the backfield after experiencing a solid sophomore season at PHS.

He’s considered a three star recruit, and has offers from Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State, North Alabama, Alcorn State and Alabama A&M among others.

Jackson is taking aim on a senior campaign in which he looks to lead the Panthers back to the state playoffs for the third straight season during his time as the PHS tailback.

(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 247Sports Composite. 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. 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.

He guided Poplarville to its first-ever state football championship last season, earning Most Valuable Player of the game honors as Poplarville captured a thrilling 29-28 win over perennial state power Louisville in the Class 4A state title tilt. In the historic victory, Keys 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.

(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 committed to Texas A&M recently, after narrowing it down to the Aggies, Arkansas and Clemson. He also had offers from from Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Miami, among others.