Arnold's Hester seals deal with Southern Mississippi

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The only proof of Jeremy Hester’s allegiance to Southern Mississippi in recent months was the team’s logo blazoned on his eye black. On Wednesday, he cemented it with a pen and paper.

Hester verbally committed to the Golden Eagles before his senior football season. He said the decision helped him clear any distractions in recruiting. It also allowed him to concentrate on honing his craft and becoming one of the best running backs to come out of Bay County.

“It felt good to get it out of the way then and now to be done with it so I can go up there and fight for a position,” Hester said. “I’m glad that I now have the opportunity to play on this level.”

Hester (click here for archived stories) chose Southern Mississippi in part due to the proximity to his family near New Orleans. Hester fled to the area with relatives as a Hurricane Katrina evacuee. He found a home at Arnold, where he starred like no other runner before him.

The 5-foot-7, 175-pounder became the first running back in county history to rush for more than 5,000 yards in his career. He also scored 70 total touchdowns, helping Arnold to an unbeaten regular season and a first-round playoff win as a junior. And he did all of this in three seasons.

“The thing about Jeremy is he worked so hard to get where he is,” Arnold coach James Hale said. “He was the first one there and the last to leave.”

Hester said he will be given a chance to play at running back as a freshman in Southern Mississippi’s spread offense. He said his biggest early impact may come as a kickoff returner.

He looked back on his career in awe, though he said he had goals. However, even his wildest imagination couldn’t predict the success he had as a Marlin.

“I worked hard and I am pretty proud of what I accomplished,” Hester said. “But records are made to be broken and serve as motivation.

“I want to be able to see that record broken in 10 or 15 years or whenever. I would like to come back here and meet that young man who does.”