Even though the actual season didn’t go as well as Vicksburg High coach Marcus Rogers had hoped, recruiting season has exceeded all of his expectations.

Three of Rogers’ senior players are expected to sign with junior colleges when national signing day rolls around on Wednesday, and a few others could accept scholarship offers in the days and weeks that follow. Quarterback Marquez Pickett is expected to sign with Lane College, a four-year Division II program in Tennessee, and wide receiver Kareeme Butler left high school early to enroll at Hinds Community College.

The large signing class for a team that went 4-7 last season was a lift for the overall status of the program, Rogers said.

“You measure success in how significant you are to your student-athletes. Last year we only got one signed. To go up to five is important to the program, and to give those young men a chance to advance in football and their education,” Rogers said. “What it basically says to the younger ones is you’re getting an opportunity, and if we win more games we’ll get more offers.”

Pickett is the only player from this year’s senior class expected to sign with a four-year school. He threw for 1,885 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his only full season as a starter.

Pickett’s top target, Butler, enrolled at Hinds in January. Butler excelled as a receiver in his one season of varsity football — he caught 45 passes for 865 yards and four touchdowns — but Rogers said Hinds’ coaches have moved him to defensive back.

“He could’ve played defense for us more, but people in our district didn’t throw the ball very much and we didn’t need him,” Rogers said. “They put 10 pounds of muscle on him, and the sky is the limit for his ceiling. You get guys who have played a lot, they get the tread worn down on them. He’s a guy with a brand new set of tires.”

Vicksburg’s junior college recruits are punter/kicker Marc Grace, defensive lineman Keithan Hargro, and defensive back Randy Taylor.

Grace is committed to Mississippi Delta and Hargro to Northwest Mississippi. Rogers said Taylor is still undecided between Pearl River and Hinds.

Rogers said the work Hargro and Taylor put in during the offseason have helped them. Hargro is one of the top powerlifters in Class 5A, while Taylor had a great showing at the Max Emfinger All-Star Game in December in Lafayette, La.

“They’ve been on the camp circuit. They’re putting the work in, they’re both playing more than one sport. That type of work ethic should be applauded,” Rogers said.