[12/19/01] College recruiters are descending on Vicksburg High in droves in hopes of landing a bevy of college-caliber talent, VHS coach Alonzo Stevens said.

Mississippi State, LSU, Memphis, Marshall and Kentucky have been the hardest recruiting Division I teams, but coaches from the SWAC and jucos from all over the state are making their presence felt.

Southern Mississippi and Ole Miss have shown little interest, however, Stevens said.

“I don’t understand that,” Stevens said. “I think we have quality kids that can play the game.”

The biggest prize in this year’s recruiting class 6-foot, 5-inch, 350-pound Andre Bennett is being recruited heavily by LSU, Memphis, Auburn and Kentucky.

The all-state offensive lineman took an official visit to LSU for the Auburn game on Dec. 1 but did not say where he is leaning.

Mississippi State assistant Glenn Davis spent three hours in the VHS fieldhouse last week watching film and talking with coaches about standout defensive back David Heard, Stevens said.

Heard had 86 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. He scored two defensive touchdowns. Marshall has also expressed interest in Heard, who has already qualified.

Tennessee State, Grambling and Murray State are looking at offensive lineman Charles Wilson. Wilson, along with Chris Humes and J.J. Brown, were the only three Gators protected by Hinds Community College.

Wilson is planning an official visit to Tennessee State in early January.

Stevens said Jones, East Central, Coahoma, Holmes and Northwest community colleges have put on a blitz.

Starting this year, junior colleges will be able to land players out of their districts. Each juco gets to “protect” three players from each school in their district. The rest are open game.

Grambling, which landed Antonio Rainey and Terry Cooper from last year’s VHS team, has offered linebacker Tim Brown a scholarship.

Brown said he is weighing his options. Grambling also offered Wilson and Bennett, Stevens said.

Humes is being sought by Northwestern (La.) State, Alcorn State and Kentucky. Alcorn is also interested in Heard, Stevens said.

Alcorn coaches were at Warren Central two weeks ago looking at Carlton Bradford and Kacy Jones.

WC quarterback Brett Morgan is the only local player to make his college choice already. He verbally committed to Mississippi State over the summer.