National Signing Day

February 7, 2024 Bob Bakken

Photo: Seated from left, Brady Smith and Jack Patterson of Northpoint Christian with Northpoint coaches. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Wednesday was National Signing Day, round two, for high school seniors signing scholarship offers to play college football.

At Northpoint Christian, two integral parts of a TSSAA Division II-AA playoff team the last two seasons signed offers to play together next year at the University of Central Arkansas.

Quarterback Jack Patterson has signed to play at UCA and kicker Brady Smith will join the team as a preferred walk-on.

Many thought Patterson was the best quarterback in the Mid-South area last season, regardless of what side of the state line you were on. Coach Tyler Gold said Patterson threw for 7,400 yards over a four-year career and set several Northpoint records.

“Passing yards in a game, passing yards in a season. career passing touchdowns in a game passing touchdowns in a season, passing touchdowns in a career, completions in a game completion in a season and completions in a career,” Gold said.

Smith was considered “Mr. Consistency” in the kicking game for the Trojans and has records for kicking and punting ability.

“He now holds the school record for the longest field goal in our school’s history with a 47 yard field goal,” Gold said. “He averaged over 40 yards out on his punts in his senior year.”

Patterson is looking forward to playing for UCA in college.

“I’ve had a really great relationship with Coach Brown and his family and just going up there, they’re talking to me and they wanted me to be their guy, so I committed to them and there’s no question about it.”

Smith said Central Arkansas was a great option after getting other offers.

“I’d had a bunch of community college offers and smaller places to be at but I just liked the competition level at Central Arkansas, so that was where I wanted to be,” Smith said.

DeSoto Central football signees with Jaguar coaches. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Down the street at DeSoto Central four members of the Jaguars football team that has also reached playoff levels at the 6A and last year, the 7A level, signed their letters of intent. gnes

The number of signees was actually five, but Taurean Davis had already departed for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he’ll be playing next season.

The group that did sign Wednesday included Clifton Carter to Central Methodist University, Quintin Hannah to McPherson (Kansas) College, Alkeyon Sugars to Mississippi College, and Chris Thomas to Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Assistant coach Marcus Jamison said the group are all game changers.

“We knew we were gonna have a special group of guys, and they had one goal and that was to change the perception of DeSoto Central football and they did that,” Jamison said. “Those names, you will hear about them for the next four or five years or whatever. They will be making an impact in the community and on the football field.”

Here are some other DeSoto County players who signed college offers for next season. The list may not be complete and will be added to as more information is received.

Lewisburg