Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics

Barry Todd was one of two players on the 1977 edition of the then-Northeast Mississippi Junior College football team that obtained the prestigious title of All-American.

Todd received second-team honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as a defensive back following the Tigers' best season in eight years.

Northeast, which was under the direction of legendary head coach W.B. "Bill" Ward, went 6-4 overall and 4-2 inside division play. The Tigers claimed a share of the north half runner-up position for the first time in program history.

Todd and the Tigers blanked Coahoma Community College, Holmes Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College. It is still tied for the most shutouts in a single year by any Northeast defense.

Perhaps the most impressive of those wins was the 10-0 decision at Holmes. The Tigers did not allow a pass completion during the entire game and held the Bulldogs to limited rushing yardage.

Todd had one of the top performances of his sophomore season that night. He racked up nine solo tackles plus forced two Holmes turnovers between a fumble recovery and an interception.

Northeast gave up two touchdowns or less in seven of its 10 total contests. The Tigers had a six-game stretch that started with a week two triumph over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in which they averaged only 7.7 points allowed.

Todd secured all-conference recognition as well that year. He donned the black-and-gold uniform one final time to represent Northeast in the state all-star game.

Northeast compiled an even 10-10 record with Todd on its roster. The Tigers tied for a season-low of seven points conceded in victories over Southwest Mississippi Community College and Holmes during his freshman campaign.

The Memphis, Tenn., native earned a scholarship after Northeast to Delta State University. However, an off-field injury unfortunately ended his career on the gridiron prematurely.

Todd developed a reputation of being a tough defender. A comic in The Beacon featured a man in a full body cast laying in a hospital bed with the caption, "…and then Barry Todd and Jerry Reno hit me at the same time!" with a doctor replying, "Two Tigers at once? No wonder…"