By Jake Moore
Time was running out for the East Mississippi Lions in the semi-finals of the state playoffs.
With only a slim lead on the road against Jones Community College, the Lions needed a big play on fourth and one. When they approached the line of scrimmage, coach Buddy Stephens signaled for a time-out. His players gathered around him, Stephens turned over the play call to them. A near-unanimous agreement was reached--give the ball to Tyrell Price.
Price was ready for the moment.
He barreled through the defense and into the endzone for a touchdown that sent the Lions the state championship game, which they went on to win.
“He went out there and did what he does.” says former EMCC running back coach Courtland Hayes, now in the same position at Sanford “I’d take Tyrell Price’s best any day of the week and twice on Sunday.”
When the coach Stephens asked his players to call the deciding play, Tyrell stayed humble and recommended a different play. Price never asked for that kind of attention but the respect was given to him. In addition to being a dominant running back, Price had the ability to connect with his teammates.
In Scooba, Miss, where East Mississippi Community College is located, the nearest Walmart is more than 30 minutes away and there are only two gas stations. The players would spend a significant amount of time together, and Price was a leader on and off the field.
“We were all trying to better ourselves through football and higher education.” Hayes says. “That was one of the unique things about [EMCC]. We were so tight-together all the time and we really got to know each other, spending a lot of time with each other on and off the field.”
But attending EMCC was not Price’s first option. Coming out of high school, Price had the GPA to receive Divison I offers but his ACT scores held him back. Price eventually got his score up but the call from EMCC head coach Buddy Stephens had already arrived and he committed to the college. Price was Divison I eligible but decided to keep his commitment to EMCC.
In his freshman year, Price received little playing time because he was the second-string tailback behind Isaiah Wright, who was prominently featured in the Netflix original series, Last Chance U. But Price knew where he stood and was able to set himself apart from the other backs at EMCC.
“When your best player has that type of character, it just rubs off on everyone else.” Hayes says.
Price was given the starting job in his second year and proceeded to make a name for himself, leading the nation with 24 touchdowns.
“My first year [at EMCC] was his sophomore year, so that was my first full-time year as a position coach.” Hayes says. “So I kind of hit the jackpot getting a great player like Tyrell Price. He is the example of when talent meets character, he was the best of the best.”
After the breakout season and the NJCAA title, Price accepted an offer from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Price felt far from home once he got to Chattanooga. The short hills of Mississippi were replaced with mountains and the old-style architecture was replaced with large buildings and vibrant locations. Price had moved to a place that felt alive.
When his first semester arrived, Price immediately noticed an increase in difficulty and quantity in the academic workload, but after declaring a criminal justice major, Price enjoyed learning more about a subject he cared about.
“It is easy getting up and going to class and actually studying someone that you actually want to pay attention to.” Price said “[At EMCC] it was all like general classes to help your GPA out.”
The on-field differences are also apparent. At EMCC, the Lions adopted a spread style offense, which fit Price’s abilities. Under former UTC coach Tom Arth, the Mocs went with a pro-style offense. New head coach Rusty Wright and offensive coordinator Joe Pizzo have installed the spread.
The changes didn’t bother Price in his first year as a Moc. He led the team with 63.4 rushing yards per game and was voted to the All-Southern Conference second team.
Price speaks highly of the UTC coaching staff but has noticed some contrasts between the style and overall focus of the staff at EMCC.
“Buddy Stephens had everything organized; you were going to do everything you were supposed to--football-wise and classroom wise.” Price said. “Buddy Stephens was also a team coach. He supports his players through anything.”
Even if Price was unable to get a Divison 1 football scholarship, getting a degree was always his most important goal. Graduating means a lot to him as not many people in his family have accomplished that goal.
He looks forward to being able to start and provide for a family and overall is looking to live a happy life.