A number of local athletes will play on Saturdays this fall. Here is a look at former east Mississippi gridiron standouts who are producing in Division I.

Alabama

•Raekwon Davis, defensive end, junior, Meridian

Davis arrived in Alabama in 2017 and played in seven games, where he tallied four tackles and forced a fumble. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-7, 316-pound lineman posted 69 tackles, 8.5 sacks and recorded an interception and a fumble recovery. Davis enters his junior season on the Bronko Nagurski Award, Walter Camp Award and Chuck Bednarik Award watch lists. 

Alcorn State

•Deonte Brooks, offensive lineman, redshirt junior, Meridian

In July, Brooks landed on the preseason All-SWAC team as a second teamer. The 6-foot-4, 291-pound lineman suffered a knee injury before the 2017 season that sidelined him for the year. Brooks is expected to start for the Braves this season. 

East Carolina

•Chance Purvis, defensive end, redshirt sophomore, Lamar School

Purvis redshirted in 2016 as a freshman, and he didn’t log playing time last season. Purvis, who landed on the honor roll for the spring semester, had a strong spring and fall camp and is expected to start at defensive end this year.  

Florida

•Quincy Lenton, cornerback, redshirt sophomore, Meridian

After redshirting as a freshman in 2016, Lenton played in four games for the Gators last year. Lenton tore his Achilles in August and will not play this season.

Louisiana Tech

•J’Mar Smith, quarterback, redshirt junior, Meridian

Smith saw action in seven games as a freshman in 2016. He was named the starter for the 2017 season, and he ended the year 229-for-409 for 2,974 yards and 16 touchdowns. Smith ended the 2017 season by passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the DXL Frisco Bowl, and he earned DXL Frisco Bowl Offensive Player of the Game honors. 

Mississippi State

•Greg Eiland, offensive line, redshirt sophomore, Philadelphia

Eiland, who selected Mississippi State over Texas and Florida, started in four games last year and played in a total of 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2017. The 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive tackle is projected to start this year.

Murray State

•Kenney Wooten, defensive line, junior, Meridian

Wooten played two seasons at Itawamba Community College before transferring to Murray State last season. He started 10 games for the Racers in 2017 and played in 11 total games, leading the team with 11 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He finished with 32 total tackles last season. 

Rutgers

•Julius Turner, defensive line, redshirt sophomore, Meridian

Turner earned playing time in 12 contests for Rutgers last year as a redshirt freshman and posted 23 tackles, with nine for losses. Turner had an impressive spring camp and will start on the Scarlet Knights’ defensive line this season.

South Alabama

•Gus Nave, cornerback, redshirt freshman, Kemper County

•Travis Reed, cornerback, junior, Meridian

Nave began his college career by receiving playing time in South Alabama’s first three games of the season. Nave scored an 83-yard touchdown after a blocked field goal against Alabama A&M but suffered a season-ending knee injury later in the game after making an interception. He received Sun Belt Conference special teams player of the week honors for his performance against Alabama A&M.  

Reed arrived at South Alabama this spring after playing for Jones County Junior College the previous two seasons.  

Southern Miss

•Santrell Latham, linebacker, redshirt freshman, Meridian

Latham redshirted for the Golden Eagles last season.

Troy

•Daniel Crowell, wide receiver, junior, Meridian

•Damion Willis, wide receiver, senior, Southeast Lauderdale

Crowell transferred to Troy after playing at East Mississippi Community College the previous two seasons and added depth to the Trojans’ wide receiver corps.

Willis turned heads in the New Orleans Bowl last year after pulling in 11 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Willis’ 11 catches tied a New Orleans Bowl record for receptions. Willis, who transferred to Troy from East Mississippi Community College, ended the season with 620 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 42 receptions.

Vanderbilt

•Zaire Jones, safety, redshirt sophomore, Meridian

Jones logged playing time in 11 games as a redshirt freshman last year and he ended the season with 11 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble. After a number of departures due to graduation and the NFL draft, Jones could see an increase in playing time this year.