Why prospect Detrick Munford visited Mississippi State football after tragic tornadoes

STARKVILLE — March 25 was supposed to be a highlight in Detrick Munford’s young life. The Class of 2024 defensive lineman from Amanda Elzy High School had an official visit to Mississippi State football.

However, as he prepared to make the trip, his family was faced with heartbreak. Tornadoes ravaged through Mississippi the night before claiming 21 lives. When his father, Detrick Munford Sr., saw a tornado made its way across Highway 35 toward Vaiden, he tried to get in touch with his brother and his brother’s wife.

Having heard back from neither, he headed toward their home.

“Once I got there, I knew that it was tragedy,” Munford Sr. said.

The couple, along with their son, died. Helen Munford, 54, was a teacher at Marshall Elementary in Carrollton. Danny Munford, 51, worked in construction. JaDarrion Murphy, 14, was an eighth grader at J.Z. George High School.

“He was always funny,” Munford Sr. said of his brother. “He always kept you laughing. He was a workaholic. He provided for his family − him and his wife, both of them did. You could tell with how their kids are. They worked and made sure they provided for their family.”

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Dealing with the loss, Munford was ready to reschedule his visit. However, his dad encouraged him otherwise. Munford Sr. lost his mom when he was 14 and his father six years earlier. He learned to deal with adversity at a young age, and he wanted to ensure his son knew how to battle through as well.

“I’ve been preparing him for this for a long time,” Munford Sr. said. “Things happen, but you have to keep pushing on. You have to do the right thing in life all the time, no matter what’s going on.”

Along with his dad’s motivation, Munford held tight to his uncle’s desire to see him succeed.

“Go and make us proud one day,” his uncle always told him.

When Munford arrived in Starkville, he was met with sympathy from coach Zach Arnett and his staff who were aware of the circumstances. They gave Munford an experience he says made him feel at home.

Defensive coordinator Matt Brock told Munford he was impressed by his film and wanted him back in Starkville for a camp in June.

Being a defensive lineman, the Bulldogs have given Munford many players worth looking up to, including Montez Sweat, Jeffery Simmons, Chris Jones and Fletcher Cox. Munford also holds a special affinity toward defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer of the New York Jets, and offensive lineman Kwatrivous Johnson, who is a graduate student at MSU, as players from his hometown of Greenwood.

“I want to be a part of that,” Munford said.

Plenty of work remains for Munford to reach his lofty goals, but he hopes his story can serve a purpose to other players battling adversity. When he shared his story of loss via social media, he noted it wasn’t for attention.

It was to send a message to others battling through difficult times.

“Never give up in life,” Munford said. “In life, you’re going to have to go through adversity. God is going to give you storms in life to see if you’re going to fold or keep going.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Detrick Munford visited Mississippi State football after tornadoes