Ole Miss football star Will Echoles coaching baseball just start of how he's helping hometown

OXFORD — Right before the East Coast Sox 12U baseball team came up to bat, Shaune Holiday had a conversation that made him chuckle. Holiday was with star Ole Miss football defensive tackle Will Echoles . But Echoles wasn't doing anything football related. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound potential top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft was getting ready to hold elbow pads from hitters half his height. “I went out there with him one day, and Will was in the first base box," Holiday said. "The opposing coach looked at me and he says, 'Is that who I think it is?' ... the other coach was kind of starstruck, you know." Over the past year, Echoles has built a foundation from the ground up to give back to his hometown of Houston, Mississippi, and the surrounding communities. He has also spent free time since last spring − even during the football season − partnering with a friend from high school to coach a youth baseball team. His favorite part is being the first person to talk to a player after he makes a mistake. “A kid can be down on themselves," Echoles said. "They can strike out or make a bad