POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Following a season that was dominant from start to finish, Pearl River football's Bryan Whitehead II (Bartlett, Tenn.) has been recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association as a Second Team All-American.
"I've said it many times, but this award couldn't go to a finer young man," Pearl River Coach Seth Smith said. "He's a fantastic kid with a tremendous amount of God-given ability. The award is a testament to two things, the ability that he was blessed with and the work that he's put in. He worked extremely hard to come back from injury.
"We're super happy for Bryan. He was a kid who came to us out of high school without a Division I offer. He came to Pearl River, worked hard, developed, became an All-American, and now has an opportunity to play Division I football."
Whitehead II is the 28th NJCAA All-American selection in Pearl River's history and the first honoree for the Wildcats since the 2010 season.
"We've been blessed to be part of a lot of things in our program that haven't happened in a while this year," Smith said. "Bryan's award is another that hasn't happened in 12 years. He put in a lot of hard work and the coaches who have worked with him every day have put in a lot of work. Bryan would be the first to tell you that it was a group effort."
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
Whitehead II was a menace on the defensive line for the Wildcats all season long, becoming nearly unblockable for opposing offensive linemen.
The sophomore finished the 2022 campaign with 39 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss, 11.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Each fumble that was picked up by Whitehead II was returned for a touchdown.
Whitehead II's sack total ranked fourth-best in the NJCAA and his 19 tackles for loss ranked sixth.
With the help of the defensive end, Pearl River's defense was one of the best units in the country. PRCC ranked 17th in the NJCAA in passing yards allowed per game (165.7) and 18th in rushing yards allowed per game (116.2). The Wildcats ranked 20th in sacks with 26 as a team.
Whitehead II was also named MACCC South Division Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MACCC on the season.
In 2022, Pearl River secured its first winning season since 2017 and its first six-win season since 2010.
PREVIOUS ALL-AMERICANS
Pearl River's list of All-Americans includes Jack Gallagher (First Team; 1972), Bill Wallace (Second Team; 1972), James Smith (Second Team; 1973), J.W. Rawls (Second Team; 1973), Ricky Myers (Second Team; 1984), Michael Toefield (Second Team; 1990), Lateef Travis (Second Team; 1991), Craig Weaver (First Team; 1992), Alfred Mack (Honorable Mention; 1993), Chris Ryan (Second Team; 1993), Cornelius Griffin (Honorable Mention; 1996), Charlie Reeve (First Team; 2001), Larry Kendrick (Honorable Mention Offense and Defense; 2003), Levance Richmond (Second Team; 2004), Matthew Lott (First Team; 2004), Larry Brackins (First Team; 2004), Jimmy Oliver (First Team; 2004 and 2005), Frank Harry (Honorable Mention; 2005), Demetrius Byrd (Second Team; 2006), Julius Gray (Second Team; 2006), Johnny Harper (Second Team; 2007), Hendrick Lavertte (Honorable Mention; 2008), Marcus Ball (First Team; 2008), Desmond Ratliff (First Team; 2009) and Melvin German (First Team; 2010).
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