East Mississippi Community College, better known as “Last Chance U,” is a junior college powerhouse. Since Buddy Stephens took over in 2008, the Lions have gone 98-13 winning six MACJC State Championships and four NJCAA National Titles.
EMCC Signing Day Recap
On National Signing Day, EMCC signed 26 players to reload their roster as they look to continue their reign atop the junior college football world.
EMCC’s Top Signees
Jason Brownlee – WR
The Lions got better at wide receiver.
Brownlee, a West Point, Mississippi native, caught 42 passes for 967 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at West Point High School. He also played defensive back, recording 17 tackles, with two tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, and four interceptions.
For his superb play, Brownlee was named a Mississippi All-Star and selected to the MAC Class 5A and Clarion Ledger First Team Offense.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound wideout will look to make an instant impact for EMCC this fall.
Esaias Furdge – CB
Cornerback won’t be a problem for the Lions.
Furdge, a Clarksdale, Mississippi native, compiled 45 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections last year at Clarksdale High School.
For his standout play, the 6-foot, 185-pound defender was named MAC Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year and selected to its First Team Defense as well as the ALL-USA Mississippi First Team. He was also chosen as a Bernard Blackwell North All-Star.
The three-star prospect hopes to be an immediate contributor to EMCC’s secondary next season.
Terence Cherry – DE
Look out for the Lions pass rush this fall.
Cherry, a West Point, Mississippi native, recorded 48 tackles, with nine tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and ten and a half sacks last season at West Point High School.
For his excellent play, he was named a Mississippi All-Star and selected to the MAC Class 5A and Clarion Ledger First Team Defense.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end will look to be a force up front for EMCC.
Montavious Thomas – DL
The defensive line will be a strength for the Lions this fall.
Thomas, a Cleveland, Mississippi native, amassed 141 tackles, with 42 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 12 sacks last year at Cleveland Central High School.
For his great play, he was selected to the MAC Class 5A Second Team Defense.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive lineman hopes to continue his dominant ways at EMCC.
Baylee Trusty – OL
The Lions solidified their protection up front.
Trusty, a Grenada, Mississippi native, was stout up front last season at Grenada High School.
For his fine play, he was selected to the MAC Class 5A Second Team Offense and named a Bernard Blackwell North All-Star.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman will be called upon to help EMCC in the trenches this fall.
Taemaus Glass – LB
Linebacker is no longer a need for the Lions.
Glass, a Louisville, Mississippi native, played on both sides of the ball last year at Nanih Waiya High School.
On offense, he rushed for 1,907 yards on 210 carries with 27 touchdowns and caught four passes for 101 yards and two scores. On defense, he finished with 76 tackles, nine of those for loss, one sack, one pass deflection, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
For his outstanding play, Glass was selected to the MAC Class 1A First Team Offense and named a Bernard Blackwell South All-Star.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete will look to hone his skills on defense for EMCC.
Mackie McNeal – DL
The Lions add another pass rusher to their defense.
McNeal, an Alabaster, Alabama native, recorded 87 tackles, with nine tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two sacks last season at Thompson High School.
For his terrific play, he was selected to the ASWA Class 7A Second Team Defense.
The 6-foot-5, 308-pound defensive lineman gives EMCC some beef on its front line.
Pervis Frazier – WR
Whoever plays quarterback for the Lions next season will have plenty of weapons at wide receiver.
Frazier, a Louisville, Mississippi native, caught 56 passes for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at Louisville High School. He also returned eight kicks and 15 punts for a total of 359 yards.
For his fantastic play, Frazier was selected to the MAC Class 4A First Team Defense as a returner.
The 6-foot, 170-pound pass-catcher is another playmaker on the perimeter EMCC can take advantage of this fall.
Keon Moore – RB
The Lions’ running game is getting an upgrade.
Moore, a Gulfport, Mississippi native, rushed for 1,701 yards on 244 carries with 10 touchdowns last year at Harrison Central High School. He also caught 24 passes for 244 yards and two scores.
For his impressive play, Moore was named a Bernard Blackwell South All-Star.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back will look to lead EMCC on the ground next season.
Jeremiah Braziel – DL
The Lions continue to fortify their defensive front.
Braziel, a Gulfport, Mississippi native, amassed 53 tackles, with eight and a half tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, and five and a half sacks last season at Gulfport High School.
For his tremendous play, he was selected to the Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team and named a Bernard Blackwell South All-Star.
The 6-foot-1, 240-pound defensive lineman expects to bring the heat to opposing offenses this fall.
Austin Morphis – WR
The Lions have no shortage of talent at wideout.
Morphis, a Pontotoc, Mississippi native, caught 58 passes for 782 yards and 13 touchdowns last year at Pontotoc High School.
For his splendid play, he was named a Bernard Blackwell North All-Star.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver will look to make an early impact for EMCC next season.
2018 EMCC Recruiting Class
The standard at EMCC is championships. Anything less is considered a failure.
Many of these top-ranked prospects will see an immediate starting time for EMCC. Filling immediate needs are part of the Junior College process. And when you are trying to stay atop the JUCO ranks, it is especially important.
East Mississippi Community College may be known for the Netflix series, but their on-field performance proves that they’re not just a Hollywood story — they are the real deal.
