On to the next level: Hite joining SE Missouri State football as walk-on

Poplar Bluff's Logan Hite (1) huddles up with his teammates during Class 5 District 1 play last season against Farmington at Mules Stadium. Hite plans to walk on for football at Southeast Missouri State this fall.

DAR/D'Courtland Christian

Getting the opportunity to play football at the college level is challenging for any young athlete — and sometimes, the journey requires a different route than others.

Poplar Bluff High School graduate and football standout Logan Hite will get the chance to continue playing the game he loves as he will walk on at the linebacker position with the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team.

“I chose to continue my football career at Semo because I wanted to play at the highest level, and as a bonus, I’ll be close to home so my family can come watch,” Hite said.

Though Hite faced some adversity due to injury, his numbers were still solid on the field. This past season, Hite stepped up as one of the captains for the Mules and played a pivotal role in the success of the defense.

Hite finished at the top of the Semo area with 113 tackles, including 59 solo stops and nine for a loss and recovered a fumble. The 200-pound linebacker led a Mules defense that allowed 26.8 points per game against one of the most demanding schedules in the league.

Hite finished with double-digit tackle totals in seven games, the first five of which included eighteen versus Valley View in Jonesboro, Arkansas, during Week 2. Throughout SEMO North contests, when the Mules went 3-1, he averaged 11.3 tackles per game. A modern-day team record 324 tackles, four sacks, two recovered fumbles, and an interception were among Hite's other accomplishments during his four seasons on the field.

Hite was also named All-Conference and received the prestigious Derland Moore Defensive Player of the Year award for his outstanding defense for the Mules. Head Mules football coach Jeff Mannon said Hite has always been one of those kids who are very competitive in whatever he does, whether it be football or wrestling. He’s watched Hite become a tough player on both sides of the ball and can’t wait to see how he does.

With the opportunity to test out his skills at the college level, Hite said one of his main goals is to learn the system and hopefully get his shot on the field.

“I’m looking forward to the competitive side and all the competition at the division-one level,” Hite said. “My expectation is to get there, work hard and eventually earn a starting spot. My goals are to earn a starting spot, make the team better and go win a championship.”