The Causey family’s football history with Mississippi Delta Community College is well-documented.
Kosciusko football coach Kelly Causey played at the school for the 1988-89 seasons, and his uncle, Wooky Gray, was head coach of the 1993 Mississippi Delta national championship football team. The school’s field house is named in honor or Gray.
Last week, the Causeys further solidified their ties to the school when Kody Causey inked his commitment to Mississippi Delta during National Signing Day. Causey’s teammate, Nick Mallett, signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Mallett played defensive end for the Whippets last year and finished the season with 56 total tackles to go with one sack and three forced fumbles. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defender is also a member of the Kosciusko track and powerlifting teams. He recently placed second in the regional tournament.
“Nick’s a kid who has really bought into our weight program and stuff like that, and he’s really added a lot of weight,” Kelly Causey said. “He’s an excellent, hard-working kid who has really earned what he’s got. He’s put in the hard work, and I’m really glad that he’s getting the opportunity to play at the college level.”
Mallet said Northeast Mississippi offered a familial-type of environment that left a strong impression.
“It’s a nice community,” Mallet said. “I could tell the coaches wanted me to be there, and they kept in touch with me every day and made sure that I stayed in the gym every day.”
Like Mallett, Kody Causey played multiple sports for the Whippets, as he was also a member of the school tennis team. The Causey family arrived in Kosciusko two years ago, and at Kody’s previous school, Cleveland High School, he played on the cross country, bowling and basketball teams.
He said his two-year experience as a Whippet has been enjoyable.
“It was kind of weird at first because it felt like Cleveland,” Causey said. “It just grew on me. I have a bunch of friends now. It’s crazy how many friends I have now and how many of them I can trust.”
Causey saw playing time at tight end, punter and on defense last season. On defense, he accumulated 55 total tackles, three pass deflections, one sack and one interception. He had a team-leading 26 punts for 907 yards (33.4-yard average). He plans to play tight end at Mississippi Delta.
Kelly Causey said he has enjoyed being able to coach his son during his prep career.
“It’s completely enjoyable, and it’s a lot of fun to do,” Kelly Causey said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There were times where you might be a little harder on him than you would with a regular kid, but you get to experience a lot of the ups and downs with him, and you’re right there in the middle with him. It’s been a thrill to be able to coach him.”
Kelly Causey said he believes both players’ ability to play and excel in multiple sports will help make their transition to college football a bit smoother.
“I think that a lot of the colleges are looking for guys who play multiple sports,” he said. “For one thing, it means you’re an athlete, and it shows that you’re a guy who wants to compete at all time.”
