SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College football coach Buddy Stephens enjoyed his first victory with quarterback Messiah deWeaver seven months ago.
In January, deWeaver announced his intentions to leave the Michigan State football team after his second season with the program.
Once Stephens received word of deWeaver’s plans, the recruitment process began from there. It was a natural step for a coach who has led EMCC to four National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championships thanks in large part to the play of quarterbacks who have transferred from senior colleges.
“Everybody knows a little bit about (EMCC) because of the ‘Last Chance U’ series (on Netflix),” deWeaver said. “Pretty much anyone who plays football saw at least some of the series. When I watched it I thought, ‘Man, those coaches are intense. That whole program is intense.’ ”
The first two seasons of “Last Chance U” chronicled the 2015 and 2016 seasons of the EMCC program. After winning national titles in 2013 and 2014, the 2015 season ended when the team was engaged in a benches-clearing brawl against Mississippi Delta C.C.
During the two seasons of the documentary, the Lions went 19-2 but there were no national championships due to the brawl and the suspensions that followed the next season.
“I understand the image that is out there,” Stephens said. “We got a tremendous amount of exposure from the series, but I am glad it’s over. It was a good thing. A two-year thing, but it’s now all in the past. We got a boost, but now we go back to focusing on winning championships without the cameras being around.”
deWeaver enrolled at Michigan State in January 2016. He redshirted in 2016 and appeared in two games without throwing a pass in 2017.
Stephens saw enough tape on deWeaver to know he could fit into the program. It was then time to meet him to see if a match was possible.
“Flew to Dayton, Ohio, met with (deWeaver) and his father (Dwight),” Stephens said. “I knew I had to prove I was not the person portrayed on the film. I knew I had to show the right image. I had to win over two brilliant football minds.”
deWeaver admits he watched the Netflix series with a measured attitude.
“TV people will always find the bad guy,” deWeaver said. “It was pretty obvious to me that made coach Stephens out to be the bad guy for ratings. You look at the track record of the program. You look who has played there. They are obviously doing something right.”
Stephens said it was zero degrees when his plane landed in Dayton. Jokingly he said he thought about not even getting off the plane.
“It was an incredible visit,” Stephen said. “We left that meeting knowing we each have the same set of goals.”
deWeaver is 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. He is known as pocket passer with a strong arm. EMCC’s other main quarterback will be freshman and Hattiesburg native Julian Conner. Conner has played some at wide receiver in fall camp.
“You will see a lot of both players,” EMCC offensive coordinator David Boykin said. “Like most years, we will have a different package for both quarterbacks. Messiah is a thrower, while Julian is a good runner. It will be a good combination.”
On Wednesday, EMCC earned a preseason No. 1 ranking from the NJCAA. The Lions are on a mission to win back-to-back national titles for the second time in six seasons.
deWeaver enrolled in January and led the team in spring practice.
“It’s just a huge advantage,” Stephens said. “We have had success a number of different ways. A year ago, (LSU transfer) Lindsey Scott Jr. is here two weeks before the first game. We are rushing to put everything into place. Obviously, this is far better.”
A Dayton native, deWeaver is still adjusting to life in Scooba. He knows these 12 months are critical for development, growth, and maturity.
“Coach Stephens wants to win, and I want to win,” deWeaver said. “When we met, it was clear we have the same ideas about the game we love so much. The other quarterbacks who have played here have done well for themselves. Hopefully, I am next.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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