There were 16 student-athletes from the area who signed national letters of intent Wednesday during National Signing Day to continue their academic and football careers with non-FBS schools.
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Hornucopia 2007
The benefit concert for Play It Again Arkansas, held at Juanita's on Thursday, December 20.
Southern Arkansas University inked five of the players, Ouachita Baptist signed a pair, two more went to University of Arkansas-Monticello, while others committed to other Division II schools, NAIA programs or junior colleges.
Malik Estell, linebacker
University of Arkansas-Monticello
Malik Estell excelled on both sides of the ball, but he admits he has a defensive mentality.
"The school is somewhat like Hooks; it's in a small town and a little in the country," Malik Estell said. "I like the size of the campus and the classroom size, and the environment was good. It was comforting. They just got a new defensive guy and they're going in a new direction on that side, and I'm excited to see about that."
With four years of playing time in multiple sports, Estell has learned to keep his emotions on an even keel and just perform on the playing field.
"My time here at Hooks has taught me to stay humble and stay at a constant level," Estell said. "No matter what happens, you can't get emotional. You've got to keep your composure."
Malik was one of the Hornets' top tacklers for the past three years and also split time at running back with fellow linebacker Seth Mahar.
"Malik is a lot like Montrell (his brother going to Texas); they're the same type of athlete," Hooks coach Chris Birdwell said. "Malik is a little younger; he is still 17 as a senior. He has one of the best motors I've ever seen. He's dying between plays, but once that play starts he's going as fast as he can. He;s a physical kid. He has the ability to make you miss but he wants to drive right through you."
Estell plans to study pre-med.
Malik is the son of Christen and Raydell Estell.
DJ Henderson, lineman
Hutchinson Community College
"I wanted to go to Hutchinson College because one of my coaches wanted me to make a better person out of myself, and I wanted to keep the tradition of athletes in my family," DJ Henderson said.
Henderson's family has a history of good football and basketball athletes, and he wants to major in business.
"I am going to be the best that I can be, and I am looking forward to getting an education," Henderson said. "Whatever God can give me is what I will use to do what I can do."
Henderson is the son of Demetric Henderson and goes to Lafayette County High School.
Austin Stubber, quarterback
Southern Arkansas University
Austin Stubber will go down as Hope's most prolific passer with nearly 9,000 yards in just three years.
"Austin is an awesome kid and is in tune with his academics," Hope head coach Jay Turley said. "He is driven and has a desire to be the best that he can. Austin is smart and studies football. He understands defenses and is a quiet leader."
Turley said that Stubber could have had a better year, but the Bobcats lacked a supporting cast around him.
"He leads by example in the weight room and on the field," Turley said. "Austin works hard in practice and has a good work ethic."
Will Walton, tight end
Southern Arkansas University
Will Walton, a senior at Spring Hill High School, played defensive end for the Bears, but will play tight end for the Muleriders.
"Will had three goals: be a good athlete, be a good student, and be a good person," Spring Hill head coach Matt McBride said. "He is very hard working, understands life, and is big and physical."
Walton is 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds. Coach McBride used to joke with Walton about being an offensive tackle.
"He is physical enough to help pass protect and to help the running game," McBride said. "Will has decent quickness for his size, has good feet, and his hands are getting better."
Walton also excels in and plays basketball.
Tucker Hall, athlete
Ouachita Baptist University
Foreman senior Tucker Hall plays football, basketball, baseball and runs track. Hall will focus on football when he becomes a Tiger later this year.
"Tucker is a great person, has an aura about him, is a Christian, and has a good family," Foreman head coach Mark King said. "He is going to be our salutatorian and has the ability to make players around him better."
Ouachita Baptist may use Hall as a receiver, running back, quarterback, or defensive back. Hall, who played strong safety on defense, led the Gators in tackles with 130.
"He is one of the most coachable kids that I've ever been around," King said. "Tucker is an exceptional leader, a great athlete and has an unbelievable work ethic."
Cody Davis, defensive end
Tyler Junior College
Cody Davis was the anchor of a defense that helped Daingerfield win the district championship last fall, but wasn't satisfied with his Division I offers so chose to go to junior college for at least a year to try to boost his opportunities.
"Cody scored a 25 ACT and chose Tyler Junior College because he wasn't completely happy with the offers he received," Daingerfield coach Mike Waldie said. "I'm proud of him; he's betting on himself. I think he'll win. He'll do a great job down there, and he could actually leave after one, because he is a qualifier, depending on the circumstances."
Davis, 6-foot-3, 250-pounds, played h-back/tight end for the Tigers also.
"He was a kid who made a commitment to the recruiting process better than any I've ever been around," Waldie said. "He knew how to play the game. He went to all the camps, did all the texting, did the twitter and promoted himself. He followed it up with good play."
Kelton Young, running back
Midwestern State University
Kelton Young played both ways for Atlanta, filling a cornerback and running back position as a senior. He will play running back at the college level.
"Midwestern State came in and were looking for a speed guy, and he fits the mold," Atlanta coach Matt McClure said. "He's run a 4.49 (40) and also has a bronze medal, silver medal and gold medal from he state track meet in the relays. He's proven he can really run fast. He had a bunch of interest but not many offers, so they jumped out there and offered him. I think it's going to be a good fit, and he'll do well there."
Darius Hopkins, running back
Coffeyville Community College
Darius Hopkins was the 4A offensive player of the year and put up monster numbers over his junior and senior years, garnering him NCAA, Division II offers from all across the state. However, he wanted to get himself into position to play at a higher level later on in his collegiate career and chose Coffeyville Community College as the first step on that path.
"Darius had a lot of scholarship offers. He wasn't quite qualified for Division I so he decided to go to junior college to get his academics in order," Nashville head coach Mike Volarvich said. "He can be re-recruited in a year and a half or a couple of years."
Hopkins helped the Scrappers go undefeated in 2015 and win the 4A state championship and then racked up 43 touchdowns as a senior for the Scrappers.
"Darius had a great football career and finished with 78 career touchdowns," Volarvich said. "He is humble and very excited to play at the next level. Darius has fought through a lot of adversity. He tore his ACL in his sophomore year, but came back and never missed a beat. He always stays positive."
Hunter White, linebacker
Ouachita Baptist University
Hunter White will continue his academic and football careers at OBU in Arkadelphia after being the leading tackler for Nashville.
"Hunter was a guy who led our team with 111 tackles this year," Volarvich said. "He played receiver and safety as a junior, and we moved him to outside linebacker as a senior. He is an explosive player and made a lot of plays for us."
White had 79 solo stops as a senior, three sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. He also had an interception.
"Hunter is a hard worker and works for everything that he has," his coach added. "He gives 100 percent at all times."
Ja'mozyia Williamson, safety
Southern Nazarene
Ja'mozyia Williamson helped Prescott complete an undefeated season, culminating in the first state championship in 21 years for the Curley Wolves.
"He is involved with the Church of Nazarene and that is how he chose to go there," Prescott head coach Tommy Poole said. "He just wants to continue playing football and is a studious kid. He's a good kid and has a lot of potential as a college football player."
Derrick Flynn, quarterback
Delta State
Flynn chose to out of state to stay at signal-caller, where he led the Wolves to the state title and was named the 3A offensive player of the year.
"Flynn had several offers; a lot of the schools are in-state, but they wanted him to play safety," Poole said. "I think the deciding factor in him going to Delta State was so that he can play quarterback. They run a similar offense to what we run here at Prescott so that is a real good pick for him."
Hunter Grimes, offensive line
University of Arkansas-Monticello
Grimes was a staple on the offensive line for Prescott during its undefeated run. He will join the Boll Weevils and could help early on.
"He's a smart football player and can play any position on the offensive line," Poole said. "He is very versatile, and they are going to have to put more mass on his body. But he can play multiple positions for them."
Carlos Vanhook, running back
Ouachita Baptist University
Vanhook was the leading rusher for the Curley Wolves and received several offers before choosing OBU.
"He felt comfortable at Ouachita Baptist, and he'll fit in good with their system," Poole said. "I think that he will eventually be a good football player for them."
Jay Marks, defensive end
Southern Arkansas University
Marks played both sides of the ball but will likely find his home on the defensive line.
"Marks is a difference maker in the ball game. They are getting a good young man and a good football player as well," Poole said. "I am not sure how they will use him, but he will be good at whatever he does and his potential is unlimited."
Deonte Jamison, defensive back
Southern Arkansas University
Jamison was a ball-hawk in the secondary, especially in the playoffs for Prescott.
"Jamison is a defensive back and corner; probably more of a corner," Poole said. "Defensive backs comes at a premium, and he is a defensive back that looks the part. He is a tall, lanky kid who has good speed. He will end up being a good player for SAU."
Seth Mahar participated in Hooks' signing day festivities, but has not made his commitment yet.
Mahar, a running back and linebacker for the Hornets, has received several offers but has yet to be able to make an official visit. He is expected to sign his letter within the next week or so after he makes a few visits.
"Seth is the one who is playing basketball and hasn't made any of his visits, even though we've tried to get him to," Hooks coach Chris Birdwell said. "He doesn't even want to miss one day of practice to go pick a college, and that just shows the kind of kid he is. He's dedicated to whatever he's doing, he's probably the hardest working kid we've had in a long time, one of our leaders, leading by example.
"He's going to do everything as hard as he can, and whatever he's doing he doing to the best of his ability."