2023 athlete Jabrae Shaw burst onto the scene last season a sophomore quarterback at Watson Chapel. He led the Wildcats to a 5-5 season accumulating 2,356 total yards and 31 touchdowns, 14 of those scores on the ground averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He was named the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Player of The Week against Beebe for 343-yard. 5 touchdown performance…in the first half.

A native of Pine Bluff, Shaw moved with his father to Little Rock during the off-season feeling it was best to have a change of scenery. “My pops moved up here and I just really wanted to move with him,” Shaw mentioned. They ended up in the Mills district which gave Jabrae a chance to up up with longtime friends and previous teammates Achilles Ringo and Anton Pierce.

Ringo, Mills’ current starting quarterback, contributed as a freshman last season for the Comets and Ringo also came in from Watson Chapel prior to this year. “Me, Achilles, and Anton have played together since we were little,” Shaw mentioned. “We have always had a good connection on and off the field.” The trio led Watson Chapel to an undefeated season in junior high two seasons ago.

Mills began the season with a bang taking down 5A schools Hope and Jacksonville by a combined score of 92-58. In both games, Shaw had over 100 yards both rushing and receiving along with 6 total touchdowns. In the final non-conference game, a 40-8 rout of Forrest City, Shaw continued the success gashing the Mustangs for a season-high 172 yards (10.1 YPC) and 3 scores.

Putting up 116 combined points against Bald Knob and Central Arkansas Christian to begin 2-4A conference play, Mills was one of the hottest (and most surprising) teams in the state in all classifications at 5-0.

In a road game with Clinton the following week Shaw was injured his foot in the first half of 38-28 loss, Mills’ first defeat of the season. “It was in the second quarter with about 6 minutes left,” Shaw described. “I went up for a pass and when I came down the corner had fell on it. My whole foot was hurting at the time.

The most recent game against Lonoke was key for Mills in terms of conference and playoff seeding with the winner staying right behind first place Stuttgart. The Comets fell to the Jackrabbits 35-6 a game in which Shaw played, but was not himself. He broke free for a 17-yard gain to convert a 4th down that tweaked his foot reaggravating the injury.

Shaw has opened the eyes of colleges across the country through a season and a half currently possessing offers from Arkansas Baptist, Memphis, and Middle Tennessee State. He has also received interest from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, among others.

Being able to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, I asked what player college or pro would he compare himself to: “Everybody says I remind them of Le’Veon Bell on the offensive side. On the defensive side I would say Jalen Ramsey.”

As far as the next level goes, Shaw says he does not prefer offense or defense. “It really doesn’t matter to me,” he stated. “All three of my current offers are to play running back.”

Shaw believes his foot will heal just fine and he should see plenty of more playing time for his junior season.

At this point in the season, Shaw has 1,340 all-purpose yards (192 total yards per game) and 17 touchdowns.

Article published by Kyle Sutherland, @k_sutherlandHTP on Twitter