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 area coaches and sports writers who have been following the action on the gridiron in South Mississippi for the past three decades.
Second on the list is a highly-recruited lineman in the Class 4A ranks:
Sam LeJeune
Poplarville | 6-3, 280 | Senior
Rated as a four-star defensive lineman for the Hornets entering his final campaign, LeJeune committed to Florida State recently.
He produced 58 tackles, seven sacks, 22 tackles for loss, five blocked field goals and five pass breakups and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
He chose the Seminoles over fellow finalists Auburn, Cal, and Washington, who were among close to 30 programs chasing his services.
“My best relationships would have to be with Coach Knighton, Coach Norvell, Coach White and Coach Odell Haggins made a big impact on my decision,” LeJeune told Rivals.com, of the FSU coaching staff. “I’ve been praying about it. I wanted to go where my heart wanted me to be and where I wanted to play football, regardless of NIL money or anything like that. That was Florida State.”
LeJeune is currently ranked as the No. 5 player in Mississippi and the No. 11 defensive lineman, nationally, in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the No. 119 overall recruit.
He plays on both sides of the ball in the trenches. He is also a standout powerlifter.
LeJeune joins his Poplarville teammate, Ty Keys, also one of the top players in the state, to commit to a Power 4 school in Florida after Keys committed to the University of Miami.
LeJeune led the way for many of Keys’ big gains in a monstrous season for the stalwart running back last season.
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.
Poplarville, with LeJeune and Keys, kick off the 2026 prep football season on the road against West Harrison on Fri., Aug. 28th.
SouthMiss6 Sports Sweet 16 in the Southern 6″ 2026 list:
- Ty Keys/Running Back/ Poplarville | 6-1, 190 | Senior
- Same LeJeune/Lineman/Poplarville/6-3, 280/Senior
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