Former Tiger gets SEC offer

Published 10:43 am Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

There will be three former Troup High football players in the Southeastern Conference when the 2020 season gets underway.

When the 2021 season rolls around, that number could be four.

Joko Willis, a linebacker who is preparing for his second season at Independence Community College in Kansas, earlier this week received an offer from the University of Arkansas, which is a member of the SEC West.

Three of Willis’ former teammates at Troup are already on SEC rosters.

King Mwikuta is a sophomore linebacker at the University of Alabama, and he’s competing for a starting spot after getting playing time as a freshman.

Two other Troup graduates, Kobe Hudson and Andy Boykin, will be freshmen on SEC rosters this fall.

Hudson, an all-state quarterback and wide receiver at Troup, enrolled early at Auburn and has been on campus since January.

Boykin, a defensive lineman, signed with Arkansas in February and will be with the team this fall.

Willis was a versatile player at Troup who was an all-state linebacker before excelling as a wide receiver during his senior season.

Willis was Troup’s leading receiver in 2018 when he caught 39 passes for 869 yards with eight touchdowns.

Willis will return for a second season at Independence Community College, as will former Troup Tiger Tyree Carlisle.

Carlisle was a standout running back at Troup, and he graduated in 2019 along with Willis and spent last season at Independence.

Willis, Hudson, Mwikuta and Boykin helped Troup go 12-2 in 2018 and reach the Class AAAA semifinals.