Netflix’s “Last Chance U” returned on July 21, satisfying binge-watchers everywhere who can’t get enough of East Mississippi Community College.
Season 1 of the Netflix hit “Last Chance U” featured a slew of big-time talent such as D.J. Law, John Franklin III and Ronald Ollie. Law signed with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, while Ollie attended Nicholls State after leaving EMCC. Franklin, once a prized recruit for Florida State, opted to test the SEC-waters and suit up for Auburn.
More: Top 5 players from “Last Chance U”
Season 2 brought us plenty of new players to enjoy and get attached to their journeys. Some things that didn’t change? Head coach Buddy Stephens didn’t get any quieter, although he’s attempting to remedy his cursing. Brittany Wagner continued building her pencil inventory and caring for her players’ well-being.
What stars were born in Season 2? What players will make that leap on the field next season? We’ve got a top 5 to watch for in 2017, with one honorable mention for good measure.
Tim Bonner, Defensive End | Florida Atlantic University
Our honorable mention, Tim Bonner displayed a knack for pass-rushing during his high school days in Demopolis, Alabama. He was good enough to receive attention from Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Louisville – where he spent a brief period in 2015 before transferring to EMCC.
During Season 2 of Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” Bonner was one of many pass-rushers along the defensive line. He stood out with 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, but needs to improve his consistency in order to contribute week-in and week-out at the next level. Bonner made four or more tackles in five games for EMCC in 2016, but had only 13 tackles combined in the other seven contests.
"“A hell of a pass rusher…He’s a funny, bright guy – he don’t know when to shut it off sometimes, but mentally Tim just has to focus.” – Davern Williams, Defensive Line Coach | EMCC"
Bonner made his presence felt in the games, he also stuffed the stat sheet. In the season opener he had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. In their seventh game, Bonner sacked the quarterback twice and hopped on another loose fumble. Two weeks later, his collision course to the quarterback continued, reaching Hinds CC’s quarterback twice. He combined for 1.5 sacks in the final two games.
Bonner is transferring to Florida Atlantic University to continue his academic and athletic careers, along with another player on our list later and EMCC quarterbacks coach Clint Trickett. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 lbs., Bonner could light up quarterbacks in Conference USA if he gets an opportunity.
Ezekiel Rose, Defensive End | West Virginia University
Ezekiel Rose is a Clarksdale, Mississippi native, but wasn’t a big star in the hit series on Netflix. Regardless of camera time, Rose displayed a consistency on the football field that garnered attention from West Virginia University – a place that accepts JuCo transfers and molds them into stars: Bruce Irvin, Rasul Douglas, Justin Crawford to name a few.
Rose tallied 35 tackles and 6.5 sacks for EMCC in 2016, but strung together an impressive four-game streak where he sacked the quarterback in each contest. Rose joined a handful of other JuCo players in Morgantown in January.
Related Story: Who will emerge at wide receiver for WVU?
For the Mountaineers, Rose could see immediate time on the field this fall. Two defensive lineman graduated, leaving gaping holes up front. With his 6-foot-3 frame he could see time at any position along Tony Gibson‘s defensive line in Morgantown. In his debut to Mountaineer Nation in the spring game, Rose contributed three tackles.
Kamonte Carter, Defensive Tackle | University of Pittsburgh
Kamonte Carter, once a prized defensive line recruit from Germantown, Maryland enrolled at EMCC after leaving Penn State following his redshirt freshman season.
After arriving in Mississippi, Carter showed flashes of brilliance. He made a fan of position coach Davern Williams, bringing both encouragement and discipline. When Carter wouldn’t finish through drills, Williams was there to run (or roll) him. When Carter couldn’t concentrate in class because he broke his cell phone, Williams was there giving the tough love that Ms. Brittany (Wagner) couldn’t. Compliments seemed few and far between, but were well-deserved when voiced.
"“Kam played unexpectedly well. Kam olayed like a dominant interior lineman…So hopefully by the end of the season, he’ll be one of the top interior d-lineman in junior college in the country.” – Davern Williams, EMCC Defensive Line Coach"
“He had a great game. He had a SEC-caliber defensive lineman game,” claims Williams about his defensive tackle in the Mississippi Gulf Coast game. And he was right: eight tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss and one interception. He’d tally 36 tackles and two sacks on the year from his defensive tackle position, but clogged up a lot of room with his 6-foot-5, 300 pound frame.
Transferring to Pitt, Carter should make an immediate impact along the defensive front. Another factor in Carter’s decision might have been the Panthers schedule. Their week 2 opponent? Penn State, the team who first took a chance on Carter out of high school.
De’Andre Johnson, Quarterback | Florida Atlantic University
Florida native De’Andre Johnson dominated high school football before committing to Florida State. He garnered interest from all the top programs in the country, showcasing his talents in the Under Armour All-American game. But as the story goes, he ended up at EMCC in 2015 and was forced to sit out an entire year.
After getting the keys from coach Stephens in 2016, Johnson put up video game-like numbers as the signal-caller. He accounted for 2,646 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air, but also compiled 834 yards and five touchdowns on the ground – the true definition of dual-threat.
Johnson is also a vocal leader, a trait some desire in a quarterback. He’s often told by coach, “Get your team,” and picking teammate’s spirits up seemed to come natural to him. In one episode, after the center was having issues getting control of the snap, Johnson let him know he was sharp in the mental aspect of the game, calling out shifts and blitzes.
Teams weren’t swarming to EMCC to sign Johnson after his off-field issues at Florida State, but Florida Atlantic doesn’t seem to be worried. Lane Kiffin is the new head coach down there, with EMCC QB coach Clint Trickett following his latest project.
Chauncey Rivers, Defensive End | Mississippi State
Chauncey Rivers was a 4-star defensive end and one of the top 15 players from Georgia upon graduating high school. He accepted a scholarship from the Georgia Bulldogs before getting dismissed from the team following his freshman season.
After landing at EMCC, Rivers displayed the skill set that made him a highly-touted prospect. In 12 games in 2016, Rivers tallied 45 tackles and got to the quarterback for 8 sacks. He recorded three or more tackles in eight games for the Lions, playing consistent throughout the year.
He didn’t just beat up a bad offensive line in one or two games. His eight sacks came in nine different games (registered 0.5 sacks in two contests).
He enrolled at Mississippi State in January after five senior defensive lineman graduated. His familiarity to the SEC could prove to be a key factor in his adjustment back to Division-1 football.
Dakota Allen, Linebacker | Texas Tech University
Dakota Allen spent two seasons in Lubbock, Texas before transferring to EMCC. As a sophomore in 2015, Allen was second on the Red Raider defense in tackles with 87.
More: Is Dakota Allen a game-changer for Texas Tech?
The EMCC defense thrived under the leadership of Allen, with his team-high 117 tackles. Aside from his stellar on-field play, Allen helped tutor teammates in math, joined a bible study group, and got baptized.
He averaged 11.8 tackles through the first six games, only twice not reaching double-digit numbers (he recorded nine tackles in those games). Allen sacked the quarterback twice, intercepted one pass and forced a fumble.
Next: 10 most hated CFB coaches
With familiarity to the program and an opportunity to play at Texas Tech, Allen could be a star for head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Red Raiders aren’t known for their defense (at least how good it is),but they might have a real gem with the return of Allen to the program.