Vicksburg has definitely produced its justifiable share of NFL expertise through the years. More than a dozen gamers from right here have had careers starting from a couple of video games to Super Bowl champions. Even extra have made a residing taking part in in different leagues such because the CFL or XFL.

We’re no stranger to seeing our guys play on Sunday, however listening to their names referred to as on the ultimate weekend in April is a special story. It has been 23 years because the Seattle Seahawks chosen Warren Central alum James Williams within the sixth spherical of the 2000 NFL draft.

Williams was the fourth participant from Vicksburg drafted in a span of 9 years — together with Warren Central’s Tony Smith (1992), and Vicksburg High’s Mark Smith (1997) and Michael Myers (1998) — and there hasn’t been one other one since.

Our newer contributions to the league have come within the type of undrafted free brokers. Former Vicksburg High star Malcolm Butler, who gained two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, is essentially the most well-known, however fellow Gator Norman Price and St. Aloysius merchandise DeMichael Harris and Ben Brown have additionally gotten alternatives.

Harris performed in 9 video games over two seasons with the Colts. Brown was injured throughout coaching camp final 12 months, however stays on the Bengals’ roster.

Price has performed in preseason video games for a number of groups, and spent a season on the 49ers’ observe squad, however has not but been in a regular-season sport. He’s presently taking part in for the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.

Those are simply those presently bouncing round. Several others had alternatives that didn’t pan out for one purpose or one other.

Getting somebody to pay you to play soccer is nothing to scoff at. A small proportion of highschool gamers get to go on to school soccer, and a fair smaller quantity than that go on to any degree of professional ball.

Still, contemplating Warren County has produced its share of pro-level gamers through the years, it’s an odd stat that none of them had been among the many 250 or so who NFL groups spend a draft choose on.

We have another candidate this year, with Nick Anderson. There’s a 99.9 % probability that the Tulane linebacker and former VHS standout might be on an NFL offseason roster by the point he goes to mattress Saturday evening.

Other than two inches of peak — he’s about 6 toes tall, and NFL groups like their linebackers to be about 6-2 — he’s all the things they may ask for. He’s a superb tackler, can transfer across the defensive formation, good sufficient to acknowledge and work on any of his deficiencies, and an excellent younger man.

Anderson’s 40-yard sprint time (4.58) might be about the identical as his GPA at Tulane. He’s gathered various staff, college and civic awards as nicely, and prides himself on being an excellent citizen in addition to an excellent soccer participant.

None of the great works imply a lot to NFL groups, after all, if he can’t cowl a operating again popping out within the flat, nevertheless it makes Anderson the sort of participant you root for. Not simply because he’s a hometown man, however as a result of he’s an excellent man.

“Nobody down here is getting into trouble. They are good character, good quality people. That helps with an organization that you are trying to sell yourself to,” Anderson stated of Tulane. “The fact you’ve never been in any trouble and can handle yourself on and off the field. Overall, Tulane has done a great job of preparing us to excel and go to the next level.”

Anderson is a uncommon mixture of brains, brawn and character. He’s a man who “gets it” — that nothing is handed to you, and alternatives like those in entrance of him this weekend are exceedingly uncommon and fleeting.

Here’s hoping he will get his probability and makes essentially the most of it. Twenty-three years is lengthy sufficient with out having a participant drafted. Nick Anderson is one who deserves to interrupt that streak.

•

Ernest Bowker is the sports activities editor of The Vicksburg Post. He will be reached at ernest.bowker@vicksburgpost.com

About Ernest Bowker

Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post’s sports activities editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post’s sports activities workers since 1998, making him one of many longest-tenured reporters within the paper’s 140-year historical past. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his profession, he has gained greater than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his protection of native sports activities in Vicksburg.

More by Ernest