When Butch Jones arrived to Jonesboro after the 2020 season, he made it clear that the program and its culture would be rebuilt through dogged high school recruiting. Of course, the roster had glaring immediate needs, and Jones was compelled to add 17 players from the transfer portal, including prominent contributors like Kivon Bennett (DE, Tennessee), Johnnie Lang (RB, Iowa State), James Blackman (QB, Florida State) and John Mincey (DL, Tennessee).

We can graciously thank that transfer class for enabling the Red Wolves youth movement that is reaching its maturity in 2024. Join me in whispering a sincere thanks to James Blackman, who found himself scrambling for his life game after game behind an inexperienced offensive line. Raise a glass to Johnnie Lang and Kivon Bennett, who became all-conference players that set the sterling example to the freshman and sophomores. Sing the praises of Robert Holmes, the Austin Peay offensive lineman who sacrificed his body for the A-State faithful.

What has become of the 14 freshman who stood in respectful observance of these hardscrabble men of the gridiron? Let’s review:

No Longer With Us

• Seydou Traore, TE
• Dennard Flowers, ATH
• Wyatt Begeal, QB/WR
• Omari Walker, WR
• Jalil Muhammad, OL
• Torren Coppage-El, DL
• Bobby Mcmillian, RB
• Nason Simmons, OL
• Tristan Shorter, LB

Of the fourteen talents Butch Jones signed to his freshman class, ten have moved on, a true testimony of college football’s attrition and decimation. Some left for the bag, like very talented TE Seydou Traore (Colorado/Mississippi State). Others simply never found a niche in Jones’ locker room.

The 2021 Five

Upon surviving the flaming crucible of Red Wolves football, the five players who remain from Butch Jones’ 2021 freshman class have become seasoned veterans and valuable starters.

Cam Jeffery, Linebacker

Jeffery, a three-star talent out of Alabama, was Butch Jones’ highest rated recruit in the 2021 class. Jeffery was recruited as an “athlete,” but he was quickly assigned to the linebacker’s room once he arrived to Jonesboro. Last year, he recorded 17 solo tackles and a sack playing alongside Charles Willekes and Javante Mackey. Look to see Jeffrey ascend to starter in 2024.

Justin Parks, Linebacker/DB

Like Jeffery, Parks was also a three-star talent from Alabama, and he’s become an indispensable member of the defense. Last season, the 6″0″ Parks put down 24 solo tackles while patrolling the outer rim with Eddie Smith. Today, he is the undisputed leader and seasoned vet morphing into a a linebacker/DB role that Melique Straker performed so well last season.

Makilan Thomas, OL

The position in most need of an upgrade when Butch Jones arrived to Jonesboro was offensive line. While Jones has done well finding beefy bodies in the portal, Makilan Thomas has become a prime example of building a squad from the ground floor. This season, the 6’3″, 300-pound Makilan will be a starter on what Phil Steele sees as the third best offensive line in the conference – a far cry from where the position was in 2021.

Manny Stevenson, TE

When Traore portaled, the role of pass-caching tight end opened. While highly-regarded Miller McCrumby and emerging talent Tyler Little have made their talent leaps, Stevenson (who was recruited as a two-star wide receiver) has emerged as the leading man. At 6’3″, 230-pounds, Stevenson is looking to rebound for a big year after breaking his leg in Week 9 last season.

Ethan Hassler, DE

Since arriving to Jonesboro as a 3-star talent out of Tennessee, Hassler has gained thirty pounds of Grade A Beef to emerge as a dangerous threat on the Red Wolves defensive line. Last season, Hassler missed much of the season with an injury sustained against Memphis. Now he’s healthy and ready to cause some havoc alongside Tim Hardiman and Texas A&M transfer Micaiah Overton.

PHOTO CREDIT is mine

CORRECTION: This post originally cited Leon Jones as a freshman signee. Jones was recruited out of community college. We regret this error, and we’ve sentenced those responsible to 1,000,000 hours of community service.