By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Frederick Brown Jr. and James Claiborne Jr. have spent the last four years playing alongside one another on the Jefferson County high school football team.

Now, they plan to play next to one another at the next level.

On Feb. 3, the duo signed with Hinds Community College, furthering their playing careers together.

While Brown and Claiborne are both teammates on the field, they are also the best of friends away from it, having forged a strong bond since their days growing up.

“It’s awesome (continuing to play with Brown),” Claiborne said. “He’s been my best friend forever. He’s always been there for me.”

The two received interest from a number of similar schools, yet ultimately decided Hinds was the best fit.

“We both wanted to go to the same school,” Claiborne said. “Hinds was just the best place for both of us, so that’s where we decided on.”

Brown said he chose HCC despite having given serious consideration to Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

“I felt like the playing opportunity will be better (at Hinds),” Brown said.

“I like the school and the football program. It’s got a great coaching staff, and I just I love everything about it.”

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman tallied 22 pancake blocks while allowing just three sacks last season.

“I think I’m going to have a lot of success (in college),” Brown said. “I like to roll up and bulldoze people. I’m really good at that.”

Claiborne, meanwhile, will share time at both quarterback and defensive back, similar to his role at Jefferson County, where he accounted for 16 touchdowns and two interceptions last year.

“I felt like it was the best place for me from the hospitality they showed me,” Claiborne said. “They offered me as a defensive back, but they’re going to list me on the roster as a quarterback and athlete.”

The tandem said the signing was a long-time coming, serving as a culmination of all their hard work over the years.

“I get up at 6 a.m. every day and run,” Brown said. “Then we’d go 4 (p.m.) workouts followed by agility drills.”

The pair both noted they would not have reached this point without a strong upbringing and guidance from Jefferson County coach James Herrington.

“Jefferson County is a great school,” Brown said. “Coach Herrington and all of the (JCHS) coaches, all of them are good dudes. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. They kept me motivated.”

With the signing comes a new level of expectations for both Brown and Claiborne, a task the duo is more than prepared to face.

“We are going to do big things at Hinds” Claiborne said. “We’re going to win the national championship, and we’re all going to go on to Division 1 programs.”