WESSON – After months of elusive recruiting and coaching changesthe Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves finally narrowed downtheir list of 2001 freshman signees who will highlight the Co-Linprogram next season.

The Wolves finished the 2000 season a dreadful 3-7. Fans hopethat a new head coach in David Cross and a new offensivecoordinator in David Armstrong will help jump-start the program.The19 incoming freshmen should have a big impact.

One signee the Wolves re-signed was sophomore quarterback DenardParks (6-1, 190) of Miami, Fla. Parks suffered a season-ending ACLtear early in the 2000 season, ending his plans of repeating as anall-state selection. Injuries set him and the Wolves back a stepfrom a breakout season.

Lucky for Parks the MACJC granted him a third year on a medicalredshirt. Parks weighed his options through the early spring and hesaw that another year of eligbilty and another season with theWolves plus the chance for more colleges to take attraction washard to pass up. Parks was heavily recruited by the likes ofFlorida A&M and several SWAC schools before and after theinjury.

“We’re very glad to have him back,” said Coach Cross. “Denardbrings experience to the position that we thought needed addressedmost in the March and April when it looked like he wasn’t comingback.”

The Wolves also addressed another big need for their offensivepowerhouse by signing six offensive linemen. They are Jahard Faust(6-4, 295) of Franklin County, John Thornton (6-0, 270) of AdamsCounty Christian, Alex Floyd (6-6, 250) of Magee, Anthony Dampier(6-4, 295) of Mendenhall, LeNord Campbell (6-4, 295) of Natchez,and three out of staters in Broderick Jones (6-4, 320) of Atlanta,GA. And Kelvin Lee (6-4, 320) of Sparta, SC.

Elsewhere on offense the Wolves got signatures from standoutFlorida quarterback Willie Johnson (6-1, 180) of Jacksonville.Johnson will bring a powerful arm and a dazzling 4.4 speed to theWolves offensive showcase come September 6. when the Wolves openthe season hosting Itawamba CC.

The Wolves also gained some in-state notables in Magee halfbackWillie Hobbs (5-8, 175) Hobbs was one of many keys in the Trojanswinning of the Class 3A championship in 2000. Hobbs may be hardpressed to see any action early in the season as the Wolves returnfullbacks Lorenzo Townsand (6-0, 195) of Lawrence County and AaronYarbough (6-2, 250) of Brookhaven. Plus running backs DariusBingham (5-10, 185) of Fayette and Lawrence County speedsterMichael Loving (6-1, 185).

Co-Lin also got a two-sport star in Mendenhall slasher JamesHobbs. Hobbs (5-9, 175) quarterbacked the Tigers to three straightclass 4A state playoff appearances in football and also played avital role in the Tigers capturing of the Class 4A basketballchampionship in 2000 as a shooting guard.

Looking at the kicking position the Wolves got two standouts inDaniel Boyd (5-10, 170) of Brookhaven and Jimbo Thornton (5-8, 165)of Mendenhall. Enterprise standout Brent Boyd will join the Wolvesas a punter.

On defense, the Wolves tapped Class 3A champion Magee for muchneeded help as defensive backs Darius Cox (5-9, 170), Tony Floyd(6-1, 175), and defensive end Myricks Cole (6-2, 215) providepossible answers.

Brookhaven Panther linebacker Don Expose (6-3, 215) will belooked upon to replace Mississippi State signee Kamau Jackson (6-0,240). Expose will bring speed, craftiness, and an up-tempo attitudeto the Wolves.

The Wolves also got two out of staters in defensive tackle AlvinYoung (6-3, 310) of Stark, Fla. and Miami – Dade Defensive Playerof the Year Kinton Emile (6-3, 250), of Miami at defensive end.

Overall the Wolves hope for a brighter 2001 campaign with anoutstanding group of freshman signees and a dynamic group ofsophomores returning. With a new coach and a new set of offensiveplays, the Wolves hope to bring state playoff excitement back toStone Stadium.