By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

SouthMiss6 Sports is once again rolling out its annual roster of the top standout prep football players in our coverage area. The prestigious “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.

First up is a highly-recruited running back in the Class 4A ranks:

Ty Keys

Poplarville | 6-1, 190 | Senior

One of the top returning high school running backs in the South, Keys has already etched his name in the Poplarville High record books before he even steps foot on the gridiron for his final campaign in a Hornet uniform.

Keys was named “Class 4A Mr. Football” last year, and also led his Hornets to the Class 4A state championship in an injury-filled sophomore season in which he was named Most Valuable Player in the title game.

He returns for his senior season, after recently committing to The University of Miami over offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Michigan, along with many others. He got over 30 scholarship offers.

Last year, he registered 301 carries for 3,285 rushing yards with 45 touchdowns, which also included an eight-touchdown, 500-plus yard night in a 60-54 win over Hancock.

The consensus four-star standout Keys is ranked the No. 14 running back in the nation according to one service and as one of the top five players in the state for the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports Composite.

“With prayer and family discussion, I’ve chosen my next home. It’s all about the U,” Keys said in his social media post casting his lot with the Hurricanes.

Poplarville ended the 2025 season 8-5 and fell to eventual Class 4A state champion Columbia 20-14 in the Class 4A South State playoffs. The Wildcats, also a Region 7-4A rival of Poplarville’s, finished the season unbeaten at 15-0.

Miami reached the College Football Playoff title game in 2025, eliminating Ole Miss along the way, before falling to Indiana 27-21 in the title tilt.

Just after that, the multi-sport stalwart Keys led his Poplarville High baseball team to the Class 4A state championship series even further cementing his legacy with Hornet athletics even before his final campaign kicks off.

Poplarville and Keys kick off the 2026 prep football season on the road against West Harrison on Fri., Aug. 28th.