HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Mae Jemison Jaguars have high hopes for the 2025 season.
Despite going 3-7 last season, the Jaguars have talent all over the field, and it all begins with Hezekiah Harris.
Harris is the highest rated player in North Alabama, according to every major recruiting service. The senior edge is committed to Auburn.
Harris says that he thinks people will overlook Mae Jemison this season.
“A lot of teams feel like Jemison, that’s going to be a win against Jemison,” Harris said. “Nah, that’s not the case this year.”
Also on the defensive side of the ball is South Alabama commit, Darius Burwell.
Burwell says this senior class wants to leave a legacy of winning ways at Jemison.
“Came in, got very determined this offseason as you can see more focus, more mentally better, got great things planned this season, we were underdogs last year, stepping into this year big dogs, so trying to put on what we did, what we worked on,” Burwell said. ” You win, more things happen to you, we want to go far this season, our plan is 15-0, we break it down every day on 15-0, so that’s the goal that’s the plan we want to see.”
The talent doesn’t stop with the seniors. Sophomore offensive lineman, Samuel Bailey, recently received offers from Mississippi State and Southern Miss at just 15 years old.
Bailey says getting to agaisnt guys like Harris has helped him and other teammates get better.
“I’m not even going to lie to you, first, first time I went against Heze, I got killed, but I got better and better playing against him,” Bailey said. “The improvement from the start to right now, that’s what I’m proud of, and proud of the whole team.”
Coach Rico White, who is entering his third year, feels like he has implemented his culture into the program. Pair that with the talent on the roster, and the expectations for the team are high.
The expecation for me is always to win, you know you want the blue map, you know you want to get to the state championship but I tell you what just win, win overall on and off the field and be a great young man and a great citizen and that’s what it’s all about,” White said. “I tell you what, I think we’ll shock a lot of people this year.”
Mae Jemison will kick the season off against Athens on Aug. 22.
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