CoSIDA Academic All-America

SMITH BECOMES NORTHEAST’S INAUGURAL COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® RECIPIENT

Jamarcus Smith’s excellence in the classroom and on-field success with the Northeast Mississippi Community College football program has paid off with a prestigious award.

Smith was named to the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic AllAmerica® College Division Men’s At-Large Team.

He is the first student-athlete in school history to receive CoSIDA Academic All-America® distinction. Smith is an arts and humanities major from Saltillo with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Smith was one of only 10 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections in the College Division, which includes all twoyear institutions, Canadian universities and any four-year school in the United States that is not affiliated with the NCAA or NAIA.

“It’s a big deal for me to be honest,” said Smith. “I’m thankful for my coaches, my athletic advisors and for the whole Northeast staff. I’ve always been taught to do my work. That’s what I’m known for. I’m a hard working guy.”

Smith is a two-time recipient of scholastic accolades from both the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

The 6-1, 205 pound linebacker also earned Fall AllAmerica first-team recognition from the Rivals recruiting network publication JCGridiron and All-MACCC honors following his true sophomore campaign. “Jamarcus’ ability to approach every single day with a positive attitude is outstanding. It is a reflection of his upbringing,” Tigers head coach Greg Davis said. “His infectious ability to make other people around him better makes him valuable on the field.”

Smith’s efforts on the defensive side of the ball helped Northeast finish as the 2020 MACCC North Division runnerup with a 5-1 overall record. The Tigers also held a final national ranking of No. 13 from JCGridiron.

He was Northeast’s leading tackler for the second consecutive season with 58 total stops. Smith added a team-best eight tackles for loss plus two forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception.

Smith had three straight double-digit tackling performances in the heart of October. That stretch culminated with a season-high 17 takedowns during the Tigers’ home finale against Northwest Mississippi Community College.

His lone interception came during the first quarter of Northeast’s rivalry win at Itawamba Community College. Smith returned it to the Indians’ 26-yard line to set up a field goal by John Ellis Murrah moments later.

Smith’s career statistics include 147 stops, 15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and two pass break ups. He averages 9.8 tackles per contest in 15 appearances with the Tigers.

He posted a career-best 18 takedowns at East Mississippi Community College during the 2019 campaign. Smith also blocked two extra point attempts in the same game earlier that year versus Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

CoSIDA has recognized thousands of deserving studentathletes since beginning the Academic All-America® program in 1952. Nominations for Academic All-America® are open exclusively to CoSIDA members.