Harrison Central’s Jeremiah McNair shares inspiring story of making a collegiate football roster!

Four years ago, Jeremiah McNair walked the halls of Harrison Central High School. After an electrifying senior year that saw the Rebels make a second round playoff appearance, McNair had an offer to Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Unfortunately, the chance to suit up for the Wolves never came as Co-Lin took his offer away for taking too long to commit. McNair searched for his new home. He would take a walk on opportunity to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. McNair couldn’t make his way to the roster. The Bulldogs would cut him, leaving him once again without a home. 

Although he didn’t have a home, McNair put his head down and got to work. During the Summer of 2022, he lifted harder, ran harder, trained harder and put his body to the limits, all for just another shot to find a place and call it home. 

That opportunity would come in the colors of purple and white. Millsaps College in Jackson gave McNair a shot to make the team. He took this opportunity and ran with it. After not being on a roster for a season, McNair starred for the Majors. He played multiple defensive positions and allowed just one catch all season. After his career turning season with the Majors, McNair would enter the portal and look for his final spot to call home. 

In January of 2023, the Missouri Valley Vikings gave McNair the home that he was longing for. In the Vikings 2023 season, McNair had 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and had a team record of 8 pass deflections in one game. Last season, he was the number one player in the conference in interceptions after missing half of the season. 

McNair has now found his home at Missouri Valley. He was voted team captain for the Vikings after being a perennial leader on the defensive side of the ball. Even though McNair is grateful for the opportunity to play football, he is even more ecstatic to be the first person in his family to graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree. 

McNair credits his never quit mentality and attitude to his mother. He said she instilled that in him at a young age. McNair said he witnessed the work ethic she demonstrated while taking care of his siblings. He said his faith in God helped him separate himself from others, and McNair watching his older brothers play college football was a big part of his story. 

The main advice McNair had for younger athletes is to work. He said “if the dream is to play in the NFL, you can do that anywhere.” McNair wasn’t a 5 star. He didn’t have the big SEC offers. He never had flashy school visits. He didn’t even make a junior college roster; but he never gave up. He didn’t complain.  At every step, every road block, every obstacle; McNair could have given up, but he didn’t. Now for his grad year, he’s a team captain and has the opportunity to go pro. No matter how big or small the obstacle was or will be in the future, Jeremiah McNair will never give up.