Lake Cormorant, Hernando athletes celebrate signings

Four Lake Cormorant football players who will be play college football are, from left, Devion Hayes (Mississippi Delta), Jaylin Yates (Jackson State), Anquon Moore (Holmes), and Anthony Adams (Holmes).

Nearly a week after National Signing Day on Feb. 5, DeSoto County football players finally had their moment in the spotlight as Lake Cormorant and Hernando High School athletes held delayed celebratory signing events Wednesday following last week’s winter weather.

Four Lake Cormorant players — defensive back Anquon Moore, linebacker Anthony Adams, defensive lineman Devion Hayes, and wide receiver Jaylin Yates — were honored alongside Hernando kicker/punter Will Uselton, who signed with Northwest Mississippi Community College.

The Gators, who finished the 2025 season 9–3 with a first‑round appearance in the MHSAA 6A playoffs, sent three players to Mississippi junior colleges and one to the Division I ranks. Moore and Adams signed with Holmes Community College, Hayes committed to Mississippi Delta Community College, and Yates is headed to Jackson State University.

Lake Cormorant head coach Nick Nester said the group represents the best of the program on and off the field.

“They’ve done a tremendous job for us over the last four years,” Nester said. “Their leadership and the plays they made helped us have a lot of success this year. It’s great to see them rewarded with the opportunity to keep playing football, especially at a time when it’s harder than ever for high school players to reach this point.”

Nester said holding a ceremony — even after the official signing date — mattered to the program.

“We hated that the weather knocked us out of it, but we still wanted to recognize them,” he said. “They deserve it. They put in a lot of work to get here.”

He added that each player is stepping into a strong fit at the next level. “They feel like they all can contribute immediately, and I know the coaches at those programs are happy to get them.”

In Hernando, senior specialist Will Uselton celebrated his commitment to Northwest Mississippi Community College. Uselton capped his final season with nine field goals, a long of 46 yards, and a perfect 34‑for‑34 mark on extra points. He also handled kickoffs and punting duties, ranking among Mississippi’s top high‑school specialists.