WEST POINT — Chris Humphries said he knew immediately.
Humphries, a 6-foot-1, 290-pound offensive lineman from West Point High School, took an official visit to Mississippi College’s campus in Clinton shortly after his high school season ended, all in an effort to find the right place to extend his football career.
He found it.
“It just felt like home as soon as I got there,” Humphries said. “I liked the environment, liked the campus, and the coaches. I just knew I was in the right place.”
On Wednesday, Humphries followed through, signing to play the next four seasons for Mississippi College. He was one of six West Point players to accept football scholarships on National Signing Day. He is the only one who signed with a four-year school.
“It’s always a huge day for your program when you can send guys on to college,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “Chris is one of those guys that, even if he didn’t have football, you know that he’s going to be successful. He’s a good person, and he comes from a great family. Mississippi College is getting a good one.”
An interior lineman at West Point, Humphries figures to play the same position at Mississippi College. But while Humphries’ football ability will help him pay for his education, that won’t be his only focus in Clinton.
“We are very proud of the fact he has earned this opportunity with football,” said John Humphries, Chris’s father. “But we are more proud of the fact he’s using this opportunity to focus on academics. That’s more important in the long run.”
Joining Humphries in signing National Letters of Intent to play college football were five teammates bound for the Mississippi junior college ranks. Wide receiver Kaelon Collins, running back Kadarius Forside, linebacker Tyler Logan, and defensive tackle Jaylen White signed with Itawamba Community College, while quarterback Dason Thomas signed with reigning NJCAA national champion East Mississippi C.C.
“When I went up there, I felt comfortable,” said Logan, who had 64 tackles at outside linebacker in 2014. “It was definitely the best fit for me.”
His teammates agreed, and also mentioned the camaraderie the West Point contingent will take to Fulton.
“Being able to go up there with my teammates, that’s a big part of it,” said Collins, a 6-6 receiver who had 18 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. “I like the program and the coaches, and I’m glad we are all going together.”
The Fulton-bound quartet helped West Point to a 9-5 record in 2014, a season that ended in a second-round playoff loss to eventual Class 5A North State champion Oxford.
One key to that loss was Forside, who was unable to play due to injury. Formerly West Point’s starting center prior to his senior season, Forside exploded in his final campaign, blossoming into one of West Point’s most dependable players, first as a linebacker then as starting running back.
In seven games as the primary tailback, Forside had 91 carries for 774 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 46 tackles.
“It’s a great feeling to sign, a dream come true,” said Forside, the younger brother of former West Point standout Justin Cox, who played football at EMCC and at Mississippi State. “I think they like me at running back and linebacker. Mostly running back, but we’ll see.”
For Chambless, the chance to watch Green Wave standouts move on to the next level never gets old.
“What makes me feel good is that they’re all good kids,” Chambless said. “This team we had this year, we fell short of our goals, but we had a great season. That’s because we had a great group of kids.”
For Thomas, who had 1,805 total yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, the chance to join a national champion was too much to pass up.
“Going from one great program to another great program, that’s what it’s all about,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to get down there and work hard and see what happens.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.