M.J. Daniels carries on All-American Bowl legacy at George County High

How is it that something seemingly so rare is almost becoming an annual tradition at George County High School?

- how is it that something- seemingly so rare... is almost- becoming an annual tradition...- at george county- high school.- for the fourth time in the- football program's- history... and the second year- in a row... lucedale is home to- an all- - american bowl jersey recipient.- mc-kinnley jackson in 20-19...- and now m-j daniels... in 20-20- - nat ---> "so it is my honor to recognize - - - - m.j.

Daniels today as an- all-american.

If you'll grab- that box and join me on the - stage, we'll present you with - your jersey."

Nat ---> "2020 all-american, m.j.

Daniels!"

- - - nat ---> applause - "i mean just being from the outside looking in last year, - i'd never seen myself in- this position.

I mean i knew i- was good, but not this good to- be recognized as one of - the top players in the country.- i mean it's just a blessing,- man."

From chasing a dream since he - was four years old... to a 4.4- 40- - yard dash... to four-star - recruit... to one of just four- football all-americans, in the- history of george county- high school... m-j daniels... - has come a long way.

"i mean yo saw the raw talent as an eighth- grader.

He was doing really goo- special - things.

He could catch the ball- he could go over guys.

But he - would also trip over- his feet."

You could say the rest is - history... which is pretty- fitting... considering the- history he's now a part of... - joining former rebel all- - americans eric moulds... alonzo- lawrence... and mc-kinnley- jackson.- "i grew up watching these people, seven years old, coming- to these games watching - alonzo, co-eric, mckinnley -- we've gotten the chance to play- together since we - were younger - and to have my - name called beside theirs, man,- it's a blessing.

It's kind of - like growing up being a - childhood superhero."

As the highest-rated recruit- from the gulf coast, according- to 24-7 sports... daniels and - his 11 division i offers... had- to grow up- fast.

- the former ole miss commit has- since given his verbal pledge t- mississippi state -- to which h- has family ties -- but the man- of the- hour... is still taking calls.- "it's still kind of tough.

You've got schools still trying- to reach out to you at the last- minute, - being on you, trying to pressur- you into a decision.

But i'm- just trying to stay calm and- stick to my decision.

But - anything can happen within a- - - - couple months."

Daniels knows first-hand how quickly things - can change... - having lost two out of the last- three games, of his senior- season... due to covid-19.- and even before that... george- county's entire starting- offensive line was qurantined,- in a loss to pearl... proving - how strong of a leader... he- truly is.

- "we were used to rushing for over 400 yards a game, and we - had -8 yards rushing- in that game.

And i never once- heard m.j.

Get onto one of thos- offensive lineman,- - - - always heard him encouraging- those guys and pushing them to- get better and- telling them, y'all just give m- a chance, we'll make this - happen.

The whole - night.

And he didn't have to do- that because him and trent were- getting - their brains beat out before- they could even get the ball, s- i saw that stuff in m.j.- all year."

"we didn't get the outcome we wanted, but we played our heart- - - - out.

If i had to do it all over- again, i wouldn't change a- thing."

In typical 20-20 fashion... thi- year's all-american bowl- has actually been canceled, due- to the corona-virus - pandemic... leaving daniels wit- only a jersey... as the - rest of the world's map... to - lucedale.

- "probably later on the week it' going to come to me.

Only a - select few players get- it, and right here in george- county - nobody knows where thi- is - i mean it's the- middle of nowhere.

But to be- recognized like this, man, i- love it, man."

- daniels still has one more high- school game on the schedule...- as one of five coast players- chosen to play in this year's - mississippi-alabama all-star- classic.- and of course news 25's grace - boyles and jeff haeger will hav- you covered tonight at 9 p.m.

- for all the high school playoff- action on the coast, including- recaps of d'iberville-petal,- ocean springs-northwest rankin,- harrison central-pearl- and the picayune-west jones - matchup.-