East Mississippi Community College quarterback Jamari Jones signed Wednesday to continue his career at Mississippi Valley State University, the latest player the Lions have sent to four-year schools.

Four EMCC players are heading to NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools: linebacker Lee Kpogba to West Virginia, defensive back Cam McCullum to Ohio and running back Zias Perryman and quarterback Damon Stewart to UAB.

Joining Jones at NCAA Football Championship Subdivision schools will be wide receiver Zach Patterson, who is going to Northwestern State; defensive lineman Tait Deer, headed to Tennesee-Martin; and wide receiver Kevin Barnett, who will play at Indiana State.

Perryman, a 5-foot-11, 225-pounder from Laurel, was EMCC’s leading rusher in 2021 with 130 carries for 597 yards and six touchdowns. He had back-to-back 100-yard games, with 129 against Northwest Mississippi and 101 against Northeast Mississippi in two EMCC wins. Perryman scored two touchdowns in a game twice, against Southwest Mississippi and Northeast Mississippi.

Stewart, a 6-1, 170-pound freshman from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, was one of three quarterbacks to throw a pass for the Lions this past season. He completed 31 of 59 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown. 

Perryman and Stewart are going to a successful program.

UAB defeated No. 13 BYU 31-28 in the Independence Bowl to cap a 9-4 season, 6-2 in Conference USA. The Blazers are one of six C-USA programs to accept invitations to join the American Athletic Conference.

Kpogba is a 6-1, 225-pound Syracuse transfer from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He led EMCC with 84 tackles, including 34 solo. Kpogba recorded 2 sacks for 17 yards and 5.5 tackles-for-loss totaling 26 yards. He also had a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and an interception.

McCullum, a 6-0, 185-pounder from Greenville by way of Mississippi Delta Community College, recorded 2 interceptions with 34 yards in returns while breaking up 6 passes. He finished with 29 tackles, 18 solo, and forced a fumble. 

At 5-11, 180 pounds, Patterson caught 27 passes for 357 yards and 8 touchdowns. He had 5 receptions for 85 yards in a 49-7 win over Southwest Mississippi and two TD receptions in a 52-6 win over Coahoma.

Oak Grove High School alum Barnett is a 6-3, 195-pounder who caught 23 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. His most productive games were the Lions’ opener, when he had 6 catches for 87 yards, and the playoff game against Hinds, when he caught 5 passes for 46 yards.

Deer is a 6-2, 270-pound freshman, registered 42 tackles, 10 solo, along with 1.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He also had 2 pass breakups.

Jones had an outstanding season that had him rated among the top JUCO quarterbacks in the country. The 6-3, 210-pound sophomore from Fannin threw for 2,153 yards and 27 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, completing 176 of 279 passes. 

Jones, who went to Northwest Rankin High School, completed 29 of 46 passes for 347 yards and five touchdowns against Southwest Mississippi and had a 19-of-33, 328-yard effort against Northwest Mississippi.