JACKSON, Miss. (JACKSON STATE ATHLETICS) – The Jackson State football program signed five student-athletes on the opening day of the 2019 early signing period.
 
On the offensive side the Tigers inked a quarterback, running back and an offensive lineman, which were considered immediate needs. On defense, JSU signed two defensive lineman that expect to immediately make an impact.
 
“I’m really pleased about the five signees that are going to be Jackson State Tigers,” JSU head coach John Hendrick said. “We have five quality young men who can come in and make an immediate impact. They are going to be with us in the spring and will learn how to attend class, properly workout and represent Jackson State University the proper way.”
 
SIGNEES
 
Raheem Wilson
Hometown: Charleston, Mississippi
Previous School: Trinity Valley Community College
Position: Offensive line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 305
 
Personal Information: Played in six games as a sophomore at Trinity Valley Community College…led the way for an offense that scored an average of 34 points per game and averaged 410.0 yards of total offense…paved the for an offense that rushed for an average of 193 yards per game…team rushed for 17 touchdowns.
 
Coach Hendrick: “I’m really excited about Raheem and he fills and immediate need for us on the offensive line. He’s an older and mature and he will fit in nicely with our program.”
 
—
 
Gregory Williams
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Previous School: University of Memphis
Position: Running Back
Height: 5-9
Weight: 190
 
Personal Information: Signed with University of Memphis out of high school… Three-year performer for head coach Joe Rocconi at White Station High School (2015-17) … Member of Spartans squads that advanced to three-straight Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division I Class 6A state playoffs … The 2015 (9-4 record) and 2017 (6-8 record) made it to the postseason quarterfinal round, and the 2016 team (7-5 record) advanced to the second round … In his first season as the squad’s featured running back, ran for 1,771 yards with 22 TD … Finished 2017 among the top-10 leading rushers in the Shelby County-Metro area … Also had 380 receiving yards and returned a kick for a TD … In the 2017 playoffs opener, scored a two-point conversion with no time on the clock for the 29-28 win that propelled the Spartans into the next round … 2017 honors included: Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 6A All-State (athlete), All-Region 8-6A first team and Commercial Appeal Best of Preps All-Metro … Selected to play in the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game … As a junior, named to the All-Region 4-6A second team … Had five punt returns for 96 yards and one TD.
 
Coach Hendrick: “I’m very excited about the addition of Gregory Williams to our football program. He’s fast and finishes with a great burst. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and he’s great in space. He’s going to be fun to watch.”
 
—
 
Emmanuel Olenga
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Previous School: Northeast Mississippi Community College
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6-5
Weight: 270
 
Personal Information: Played on season (2018) at Northeast Mississippi Community College…totaled 34 tackles…6.8 tackles loss…3.5 sacks for 23 yards. Signed with North Carolina State out of high school and redshirted… Personal:  Born in DR Congo, moved to the United States at the age of 6.  Cousin, Prince Shembo, played football at Notre Dame and was a fourth-round NFL draft pick in 2014… as a senior in high school 105 total tackles, including 16.5 quarterback sacks, and forced five fumbles…earned first-team All-SoMeck 8 4-A Conference and All-Charlotte Observer honors…No. 83 defensive end nationally by scout.com…born in Kinshasa, The Congo,  Africa, he came to the U.S. when he was seven…speaks four languages: French, English, and two African native languages: Lingala and Kitatala.
 
Coach Hendrick: “What a great football player. Emmanuel is an exceptional pass rusher and has a great combination of size and speed. He fills an immediate need for us on the defensive line and can’t wait to see him on the football field.”
 
—
 
Matt Little
Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
Previous School: Western Michigan
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
 
Personal Information: Recruited by P.J Fleck and signed with Western Michigan out of high school… rated as a three-star prospect according to Scout.com, 247sports.com and Rivals.com … ranked as 25th overall prospect in Illinois according to Rivals.com … ranked as No. 2 QB in Illinois according to Scout.com … timed as a 4.70 40-yard dash … named a 2015 Player to Watch by Chicago Tribune … grandfather is Minnie Minoso a former Chicago White Sox player.
 
“Matt is a big quarterback and has great arm strength and can make all the throws. He’s deceptively fast and can run the ball when he needs to. He was a highly-recruited quarterback out of high school and I can’t wait for him to be on campus.”
 
—
 
Vincent McIntosh
Hometown: Tupelo, Mississippi
Previous School: Itawamba Community College
Position: Defensive line
Height: 6-1
Weight: 300
 
Personal Information: Played for one season (2018) at Itawamba Community College…did not play due to injury…played freshman season at Northeast Mississippi Community College…played eight games and recorded 24 tackles…three sacks for a loss of 11 yards…averaged 3.3 tackles per game.
Coach Hendrick: “Vincent McIntosh is a disrupter and very strong.  He fills an immediate need on the defensive line and I’m excited he chose Jackson State University.”
 
The 2019 early signing day period lasts from December 19 to December 21. The rest of the 2019 signing class will be introduced February 6.