Jackson Prep stars sign to play D-1

Following a successful 12-1 season and state-runner up finish, the Jackson Prep football program saw four of their key players sign to play at the next level with division one football programs.

Quarterback Parker Puckett, who was the catalyst and one of the stars of the Jackson Prep offense, accepted a preferred walk-on offer to play at Mississippi State. Puckett was recently named the MAIS 6A overall player of the year. 

Puckett had a dominant season statistically, passing for 2,203 yards, 26 touchdowns, a 69.3% completion rate, and only three interceptions on the year. He also showed ability in the run game as well, running for 596 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. 

All-around star Major Quin signed with Air Force, after featuring in almost every aspect of the game during his time with the Jackson Prep football program and being one of the best athletes in the state. 

Offensively, Quin caught 38 passes for 633 yards, and five touchdowns this year, along with adding three touchdowns in the run game. Defensively, Quin totaled 26 tackles and a tackle for loss, along with five interceptions as a defensive back this year, while also being a dynamic kick returner on special teams. 

The Jackson Prep football program also saw both of their all-state offensive tackles sign with power four programs, as Cole Allen signed with Duke and Matthew Parker signed with Baylor. 

Allen is ranked as a three-star prospect, standing at 6’5 and weighing in at 265, and is ranked as the 101st best offensive tackle recruit in the country by 247Sports. He is also a three-sport athlete, who has won three combined state championships in his time with the Patriots and comes from a great lineage of offensive lineman, as his cousin, Kent Hull, was a two-time all-pro offensive lineman in ten seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

Matthew Parker, who signed with Baylor after flipping his commitment from Vanderbilt earlier in the season, is ranked as a three-star prospect and the 108th best offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports. Parker stands at a giant 6’7 and weighs in at 295 pounds. Parker has a lot of upside, as he was a late bloomer and only played varsity football for the last two years. 

These four seniors were part of a giant senior class that brought home two state titles and two state runner-up finishes during their time with the program.