JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State Football signed 21 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Tigers upon the opening of the early signing period on Wednesday. 

The early signing period will conclude on Friday, Dec. 22, before National Signing Day on Feb. 7, 2024. Below are notes from each position coach in Jackson State's class and a few notes on football's latest additions. 

"We are really excited about this 2024 recruiting class being led by Coach Taylor," said Coach Otis Riddley, Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends. "The staff has done a great job of going out to find the guys that fit our program, fit the culture of Jackson State, and want to be winners. That bodes well for the future of Jackson State football."

The Home State
This class includes nine of the 21 signees who call the state of Mississippi home: DT Kazarius Bowie, WR Ja'Naylon Dupree, OL Cortney Lyles, WR Richard Mays, DB Tony McCray Jr., DB Robert McDaniel, OL Antonio Ross Jr., DB Saddiq Thompson, and DT Tymon Wells.

Geographic Breakdown 
The new members of the Jackson State football team began their careers across seven different states: Arkansas (one), Georgia (three), Florida (one), Mississippi (nine), New Jersey (one), South Carolina (one), Tennessee (one), and Texas (four).

Position Breakdown 
DT: 2; RB: 1; DB: 6; OL: 6; WR: 3; DE: 1; LB: 1; QB: 1
 

Mason Barton
OL | West Memphis HS | West Memphis Ark. 

Coach Onyebuagu on Barton, "Mason is from West Memphis HS in Arkansas. He is fairly new to the OL position, but an OL coaches DREAM. He has the long length and size that you see in the prototype NFL OL. His athleticism jumps off the tape for his size. With the right development, I believe there will be a lot of coaches trying to figure out where this kid came from. A great young man to talk to who loves football."
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Kazarius Bowie
DT | Mississippi Gulf Coast | Jackson, Miss. 

Coach Bradley on Bowie, "Hometown kid that loves football. He is an active leader in the community and on the football field. He is a team-first guy who can control the middle of the line and make plays from B gap to B gap."
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Kobe Boykin
RB | Miami Edison HS | Miami, Fla. 

Coach Morton on Boykin, "A 4-Star Athlete who was ranked as a top 25 player in Miami. He resembles Tank Davis. Productive as a ball-carrier and pass catcher. Quick, hard worker, comfortable with navigating through tight creases. Capable of running routes from the slot in the empty set. High GPA."
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KJ Chisholm
DB | Whale Branch Early College HS | Beaufort, S.C. 

Coach Quinn on Chisholm, "Young talent coming from South Carolina. Is related to Jaheem Hazel. KJ is an explosive athlete with tremendous growth potential. He brings speed and playmaking ability. He is a guy who has the tools to find a way to get on the field and make an impact early. He also brings a blue-collar work ethic and mentality into the room, which can only be beneficial coming from a newcomer."
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Xavion Davis
OL | Lewisville HS | Lewisville, Texas

Coach Onyebuagu on Davis, "Xavion goes by Ziggy and is the younger brother of freshman All-American Qua Davis. He was born in Florida and Texas. His size and physicality jump out at you. He will be a road-gradder who will move whatever is in his tracks. He has the agility and work ethic that will allow him to have a bright future at JSU. Family is family, and that really means something different to ZIggy here at JSU."
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Ja'Naylon Dupree
WR | Mississippi Gulf Coast | Philadelphia, Miss.  

Coach Harris on Dupree, "Very dynamic WR, who is also very productive as a returner. Led his team in receptions with 48 and 8 TDs. He is the grandson of Marcus Dupree, one of the top recruits ever to come out of Mississippi. Jay has the ability to make guys miss in the open field and the speed to take it the distance."
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Devin Lafayette
DB | Northern Illinois | Brunswick, Ga. 

Coach Quinn on Lafayette, "Devin is a lengthy and athletic defensive back coming from Northern Illinois. He grew up in Georgia and is an experienced and talented player who will make an immediate impact. He has had multiple of our staff's eyes on him and has been signed off as being a hard-working student-athlete."
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Devin Love
OL | Lewisville HS | Lewisville, Texas 

Coach Onyebuagu on Love, "Devin Love is a special young man originally from Louisiana who moved to Texas and is an early graduate from Lewisville High School—a 3-star prospect with heavy FBS interest. A combination of power and explosiveness as a high school offensive lineman is what makes him dynamic, but most importantly, his maturity and football knowledge. Devin is before his time."
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Cortney Lyles
OL | Southwest Mississippi | Jackson, Miss. 

Coach Onyebuagu on Lyles, "Hometown kid who went to Provine High School. He worked really hard to change his body and develop while in Juco. His positional flexibility makes him a big asset to the offensive line room. Has film at all five positions. He is the definition of "get it out of the mud," a true worker that embraces the grind."
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Richard Mays
WR | Coiah-Lincoln | Ridgeland, Miss. 

Coach Harris on Mays, "A very explosive WR, " was very productive in high school and at JUCO. His mom and grandmother both graduated from Jackson State University. He has the ability to be an inside and outside WR, which makes him a match-up nightmare."
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Tony McCray Jr.
DB | Georgia State | Clarksdale, Miss.

Coach Quinn on McCray Jr. "Tony is a local talent who played with our own Zy McDonald. He has spent the last two years at Georgia State. He felt it was an underwhelming experience for him and is looking for a new home. He brings scrappy playmaking ability and a competitive edge that pops out on tape and brings more experience to our room. He can make an immediate impact through his elite coverage ability."
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Robert McDaniel 
DB | Alcorn State | Jackson, Miss. 

Coach Quinn on McDaniel, "Rob McDaniel is an HBCU All-American from Alcorn State. He is a lengthy and strong defensive back. He brings a physical presence to the room and great coverage ability. He will add a blue-collar work ethic to the room and be someone to turn to this season. He has value both at Corner and Safety, making him a versatile addition for us."
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Brandon Mitchell
DB | Middle College HS | Memphis, Tenn. 

Coach Quinn on Mitchell, "Brandon is an uber-athletic ball player. He is a great talent on both sides of the ball. He runs track, and it pops out on tape. He brings a tremendous upside to the team as a whole, being that he is as dynamic as he is. He will be a rangy player for us in the backfield and, if needed, can let loose on offense."
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Joshua Noble 
DE | Western Michigan | Blackwood, N.J. 

Coach Bradley on Noble, "Joshua is a highly decorated player, as he was one of the top prospects in New Jersey (3-star). Joshua is transferring from Western Michigan, where he played in 11 games. Joshua does a great job of playing physically on the edge in the run game and against Tight Ends (7 Tech). Josh has also shown that he generates a good pass rush. He should be a great addition to our room."
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Adrian Owens Jr. 
LB | Hutch CC | Houston, Texas

Coach Hammock on Owens, "The Houston native signed to Lamar out of high school. Sideline to sideline LB with great man and zone coverage abilities. While also having a knack for rushing the QB. He will be able to come in and fill a key role and have a major impact early. His style of play coincides with JSU's historic culture."
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Antonio Ross Jr. 
OL | Hartfield Academy | Jackson, Miss. 

Coach Onyebuagu on Ross, "A 3-star hometown prospect from Hartsfield Academy in Flowood. He is a dominant force, and you can see that when you turn on the tape. He has some of the largest hands I have seen on someone; he racked up a crazy number of pancakes and knockdowns in high school. His physicality jumps out on tape. A bright young man and hard worker who loves to play OL."
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Ethan Terrell 
QB | Lewisville HS | Lewisville Texas

Coach Harris on Terrell, "Dual-threat QB. He has thrown for over 4900 yards and 43 TDs in high school. Several of his family members, including his mom, graduated from Jackson State University (Arvill Terrell)." 
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Travis 'Ape' Terrell
WR | Creekside HS | Fairburn, Ga.
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Coach O on Terrell, "He helped lead his team to the finals in Class 5A of Georgia High School football. A dynamic football player with exceptional intelligence and moxie on and off the field. His skill set will be used in a multitude of ways during his tenure at JSU. He possesses excellent vision, bursts, and an uncanny feel for the game, allowing him to play it with pace and control while making plays."
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Saddiq Thompson
DB | Jones College | Moss Point, Miss. 

Coach Quinn on Thompson, "Saddiq is a local talent coming from Jones College. He went to Moss Point High School. He is a relatively soft-spoken young man with a lot of potential for our program. He's lengthy, has great movement skills, and is a willing tackler. His unique blend of coverage ability and athleticism makes him a big-time find. He fits our team because he has the makeup of what we want in the room moving forward: tough, is all about football, and brings a competitive edge."
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Tymon Wells 
DT | Coahoma CC | Hollandale, Miss.

Coach Bradley on Wells, "Tymon is a homegrown product from Cohoma Community College.  He is the true definition of a student-athlete, as Tymon finished with the highest GPA on the team. He is a very explosive and versatile player who can play all four spots on the defensive line. Tymon is a big pick-up as he brings a natural ability to get to the QB. He is a tough and physical player with a work ethic to match."
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Brian 'Bam' Williams
OL | Creekside HS | Atlanta, Ga. 

Coach Onyebuagu on Williams, "Bam is from Atlanta, Ga., and has played football since he was nine. He is big on family, which is why he loved Jackson State. His strength and physicality make him perfect for JSU. He is just a "tough dude." Creekside High School is a smash-mouth program that makes BAM perfect at what he does. You can see he plays the game angrily when you watch the tape. Has good speed and athleticism off the ball, which gives him the advantage of moving people off the line of scrimmage."