Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by 247Sports. We continue the series with Mississippi, which opens play Aug. 20.
Germantown, which hasn't had a winning season since 2018, claims two of the top three recruits, led by mammoth 6-foot-8, 335-pound defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who has committed to Ole Miss. Teammate Brandon Robinson, a fleet and rugged 5-10, 220-pound running back headed to Georgia, is No. 3 on the list.
The two Germantown standouts trail only the state's top recruit, Columbia's 6-4, 370-pound defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis, the list's only Alabama commit.
By position, defensive linemen dominated the Top 25 with seven selections, followed by athletes (five), defensive backs and linebackers (three), running backs, offensive lineman and wide receivers (two each) and a tight end. Destination points for these elite recruits are primarily Mississippi State (six) and Ole Miss (four). As of July 23, 16 of the 25 had committed to colleges.
Mississippi's Top 25 football players from Class of 2022
6-4 | 370 | DL | Alabama commitNation's No. 10 defensive lineman overall had 68 tackles, 18 for loss including four sacks in 2020.
2. Zxavian Harris | Germantown (Madison)
6-8 | 335 | DL | Ole MissPiled up 110 tackles in two seasons with 12.5 sacks. Picked Rebels over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, among others.
3. Branson Robinson | Germantown
5-10 | 220 | RB | GeorgiaReminds some of Samaje Perine after rushing for 1,179 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.
4. Khamauri Rogers | Holmes County Central (Lexington)
6-0 | 165 | CB | MiamiThe nation's No. 10 ranked CB piled up 44 offers, but picked Miami over such schools as LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona Florida, Georgia and Michigan.
5. Marquez Dortch | George County (Lucedale)
6-0 | 175 | ATH | Ole MissThe third-year starter had eight other offers including Arkansas, Auburn and Indiana.
6. Bryson Hurst | Gautier
6-6 | 320 | OT | UndecidedHe's visited Florida State and Ole Miss, but also has offers from Oregon and Kentucky, among others.
7. Trevion Williams | Crystal Springs
6-3 | 255 | DL | Florida StateOne of the more unique athletes in the state, Williams played quarterback and linebacker in 2020, yet is being recruited on the defensive line.
8. Larry Simmons | Moss Point
6-2 | 175 | WR | Ole MissHad 93 catches for 1,882 yards and 19 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
9. Stone Blanton | Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
6-2 | 220 | LB | UndecidedAlso a standout outfielder in baseball, Blanton plans to play both sports in college. Logged 99 tackles, 11 for losses, in 2020.
10. R.J. Moss | Biloxi
6-3 | 245 | DL | UndecidedHad 40 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2020, and Kansas, Baylor and Ole Miss among his 11 offers.
11. Khalid Moore | Poplarville
6-2 | 206 | LB | Mississippi StateHis 85 tackles and five sacks helped Hornets reach the state 4A finals.
12. Jaterrious Elam | Greenville Christian (Greenville)
6-2 | 170 | CB | Mississippi StateOnly four offers, but big ones, including LSU and Pittsburgh as he led team to MAIS state championship in 2020.
13. Jacarius Clayton | Tupelo
6-6 | 275 | OL-DL | Ole MissA top 50 tackle in the country picked the Rebels over Arizona State, Indiana and Arizona State among others.
14. Donterry Russell | Provine (Jackson)
6-4 | 200 | DE | Mississippi StateOf his 46 tackles as a sophomore, 11.5 were for losses including seven sacks. His brother De'Monte is a top pass rusher at Mississippi State already.
15. JD Stewart | Greenville Christian
6-3 | 230 | LB | Southern MissRacked up 245 tackles the last two season with 36 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries.
16. Dakota Jordan | Canton Academy (Canton)
5-11 | 185 | ATH | UndecidedThree-sport standout played baseball and ran track throughout his prep career. He played WR and DB in 2020.
17. Aaron Bryant | Southaven
6-4 | 306 | DL | UndecidedVery active with 68 tackles (12 for loss) and six sacks as junior. His 20 offers include Georgia, Texas, Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M.
18. Omar Johnson | Columbia
5-10 | 185 | RB | UndecidedAlmost 3,000 career rushing yards to go with 28 rushing touchdowns.
19. Jarnorris Hopson | Horn Lake
5-11 | 175 | WR | Mississippi StateVersatile athlete, played some quarterback in 2020.
20. Wesley Miller | Heritage Academy (Columbus)
5-11 | 184 | S | Mississippi StatePicked the Bulldogs over 11 other offers, including Florida State, Illinois and Memphis.
21. Jordan Anthony | Tylertown
5-11 | 170 | ATH | UndecidedHis team has won four times in two seasons, but Anthony has earned 19 offers, including Boston College, Florida State, Houston, Kentucky and Ole Miss.
22. Trent Singleton | Raymond
6-0 | 190 | ATH | Mississippi StateAlso a track star, Singleton excels at quarterback and defensive backfield. Passed for 1,371 and rushed for 844 yards in 2020.
23. Jerry Johnson | Pearl
5-11 | 180 | ATH | UndecidedDoes it all, but pass catching at the top of the list as he finished last season with 42 catches, 1,030 yards and 13 TDs.
24. Blake Gunter | Madison Central (Madison)
6-3 | 230 | TE | UndecidedOnly tight end on the list has 15 offers, including Florida State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
25. Carter Edwards | Presbyterian Christian (Hattiesburg)
6-6 | 278 | OT | ColoradoPicked Buffaloes over Kansas State, Louisville and Dartmouth, among others.
