Brookhaven Academy quarterback Chandler Rogers realizes collegecoaches will critique his every move this fall as he works to earna Division One scholarship. Rogers, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs205-pounds, is one of several recruits highlighted in The DAILYLEADER’s 12th Annual Sweet 16 prospect list, covering SouthwestMississippi’s top recruits for the 2010 football season. Input wasprovided from college coaches, recruiting analysts, and player’sstatistics from the 2009 season.

“South Mississippi always produces a sleeper every year,” saidESPN.com recruiting analyst Rocky Dunbar. “You have Gabrial Gray atHazlehurst getting all sorts of offers/Brookhaven Academy’sChandler Rogers with the strong arm and size, plus the two bigoffensive linemen at Franklin County (Preston Shelton andDeMeachary Hickingbottom) that many consider two of the Top 5offensive tackles in the state this year.”

Gray (6-2, 190), who has over a shoebox full of letters fromcolleges throughout the nation gauging his interest, has writtenoffers from Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Memphis, AlcornState, Jackson State, and SE Louisiana to name a few. Althoughhe’ll play quarterback for the Indians this fall, many collegesproject him as a wide receiver on the next level. Gray is also oneof the state’s top baseball prospects for the 2011 MLB Draft.

“I like both sports,” said Gray, who also starts on thebasketball team for the Indians. “Whatever season it is I changewith it.”

Not to be outdone, Hazlehurst has another standout on its teamreceiving strong interest in heavy-hitting linebacker LeviticusCain, who made 110 tackles and recovered three fumbles last season.The Indians are one of the elite teams in the Class 3A divisionthis year, thanks to the return of these two. Gray runs aconsistent 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

Down Interstate 55 at Ole Brook, two other college prospectsshow plenty of promise in seniors Stone Underwood and JawaunMerchant, who shore up the front lines on both sides of the ballfor the Panthers. Merchant is a strong, physical defensive end.Underwood also owns a high academic acumen, which raises his valuefor college recruiters.

Staying in Lincoln County, Loyd Star has a speedster in MarquisHayes who new coach Randall Huffman is counting on for big playsthis season. Hayes is also a top baseball recruit in the area,too.

Over at Brookhaven Academy, Rogers has been receiving interestfrom several schools. His only offer has been from Ivy Leagueproduct Cornell so far. He is coming off a banner junior campaign,throwing for 3,813 yards and 46 touchdowns with just fourpicks.

The Cougars went 15-0 last season, collecting the MAIS AA StateChampionship. Senior placekicker Tyler Trout returns, along with6-4 junior wide receiver Christian (Bubba) Keene, who is the loneunderclassmen on the watch list. Keene caught 54 passes for 1,112yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Trout made 67 of 76 extra point kicks and seven of 12 fields goalsas a junior, his longest field goal 52 yards.

At North Pike, Revis Butler is gaining increased interest latelyas a top recruit. Butler, who runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, isbeing recruited as a defensive back.

Moving west, Franklin County shows three promising stars inMilton Griffin, Preston Shelton, and DeMeachary Hickingbottom. Eachdrew rave reviews at the Southern Miss Prospect Camp lastmonth.

“All three had a great off season,” said new Bulldogs head coachRickey O’Quinn Jr. “Milton really turned some heads at the USMcamp. DeMeachary and Preston are just getting bigger andstronger.”

Hickingbottom tips the scales at 6-5, and 345-pounds, whileShelton is listed at 6-4, 275-pounds. The duo will provide blockingfor Griffin, who has been clocked at a swift 4.38 in the 40-yarddash. Many believe Griffin is the fastest player to ever don aFranklin County uniform.

The 5-10, 165-pound Griffin will play a variety of positions forthe Bulldogs this season ranging from quarterback to receiver, toeven running back and defensive back. He led Class 3A last yearwith nine interceptions. The Bulldogs are four years removed from astate championship.

Rounding out the watch list is Natchez quarterback JavonWashington, Jefferson County running back Robert Wells, andWilkinson County products Devin Fosselman and James Maiden.

Both Fosselman and Maiden are already committed to theMississippi State Bulldogs. Washington and Wells have both beenoffered by Alcorn State and Jackson State.