2 football standouts sign scholarships

RUSSELLVILLE – Russellville High School football standouts Jah Williams and Zay Hubbard have signed scholarships to continue their careers at the collegiate level. Williams signed to play for Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Hubbard signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College.

“I’m very proud of them, and I was able to see growth from both of them in a year,” RHS head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “They were both really good players before we got here. They’ve been a joy to be around, and I’m happy for them that they’ve put themselves in a position to get this opportunity. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for them, and I’m looking forward to following their careers.”

Williams and Hubbard were leaders in the defensive secondary during the 2024 season, which was Goodwin’s first as RHS head coach. They also showed versatility getting additional playing time on offense and special teams.

“It means a lot to me to be the first in my family to get to sign somewhere to play in college,” Hubbard said. “To be the first one is different. You get to start a new tradition with your family, and this is going to be the first one that I start.”

Hubbard explained he likes the culture at Northeast Mississippi, the tradition that the program has, and the conference in which the Tigers play.

Williams, who was also a top player on the Russellville basketball team, explained what signing a scholarship means to him.

“Today means a lot to me because I wasn’t always in a position to get here. It took a lot of hard work, dedication and time off from other things to focus on football to get to where I am now.”

Williams likes the brotherhood feeling at Kentucky Wesleyan.

“When I went up there, they treated me like one of their own and like family. The players treated me like a brother, and I like what they’ve got going on,” he said.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Northeast Mississippi Community College is in Booneville Mississippi.