Jimmy Oliver, a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 67 touchdowns and more than 6,000 yards while leading Pearl River to consecutive state titles.
“Pearl River was an awesome time for me,” said Oliver. “I met people there I am still friends with today. We had a great coaching staff, great teammates. Everybody got along great.”
During his freshman year, Oliver, Region 23's Offensive Player of the Year for 2004, led the nation in individual total offense with 3,658 yards (passing and rushing); while finishing second in the nation in passing with 3,487 yards (290.6 yards a game). Oliver's passing yard average was 1.8 yards per game short of the nation's leader. He also copped All-MACJC and All-Region 23 honors.
Oliver, a redshirt freshman, set school passing marks in yardage, completions, touchdown passes in 2004.
As a sophomore, Oliver was named a first-team football All-American. Oliver was named the NJ CAA and Region 23 Offensive Player of the Year the past two -seasons, guiding the Wildcats to state and national championships in 2004 and a record 18th state championship this past fall. He was also named All-Region 23 and All-MACJC the past two years after leading the nation in passing and individual total offense in 2004 and 2005.
“Coach Hatten knew I could make plays with my feet,” said Oliver. “His spread offense was more to my liking than what I played in high school.”
One reason the Wildcats could throw it around during that time was the play of Oliver, who came to PRCC from East Marion weighing 158 pounds. He redshirted his first year and then set the JUCO world on fire with his speed and his arm.
Said Hatten, “Without Jimmy Oliver, there is no Tim Hatten because of what he did at Pearl River and what he did in the league. When you got off the bus with Jimmy Oliver, there was a 95 percent chance you were going to win.”
Indeed, during Oliver’s tenure at PRCC, the Wildcats were 20-1. In the only game they lost, Oliver threw for six touchdowns and a school record 608 yards.
