When Kameron Mills arrived at Columbia this past season, he didn’t just transfer schools — he transformed a defense.
Mills made his mark right away for the Tigers when he blocked a punt in a 42-6 win over rival Suwannee. One week later against Coffee, the Mandarin transfer was even better.
Facing a squad that beat Columbia just a year earlier, Mills jumped in front of a pass early in the contest and returned it 41 yards for a pick-6 to help spark a 20-14 win. It was just the beginning of a stellar season for the CHS senior linebacker, who led a defense that limited opposing offenses to just 11.6 points per game under the guidance of head coach Brian Allen and defensive coordinator Chris Martinez.
Just how good was Mills? He finished the season leading the Tigers with 78 tackles, including an area-most 20 for loss, and tied for an area-most 11 sacks while recording two interceptions and three forced fumbles. His impact wasn’t limited to defense either, contributing in all three phases with a pair of blocked punts while racking up 414 all-purpose yards that included two rushing touchdowns.
It all helped Columbia finish 9-3 and win its first playoff game since 2022. It’s also why Mills has been named the LCR’s Defensive Player of the Year.
“I feel like coming into Columbia as a new player, I had to do some things and learn the playbook and stuff,” Mills said. “Once I did that, I knew that I was going to have a great season with coach Martinez and coach BA’s help.”
Did he ever, thanks to a position switch in fall camp.
After playing primarily on the edge for Mandarin, Mills was asked to play more of a linebacker/safety hybrid role on the Tigers’ defense, a position Allen and Martinez felt he was better suited for in college. It unlocked another level in Mills’ game, one where he was able to impact the defense at all three levels.
“They used me as the player I am, not trying to limit me to certain things,” said Mills, who felt his skills weren’t maximized at Mandarin. “They used me to what I could handle and that was obviously a lot because they used me all over the field. I played nickel, I played off the edge, I played a little bit of safety here and there, so they used all my abilities and they maximized them. And I really appreciate Columbia for that.”
Before the season ever started, Allen had high praise for Mills. He compared him to former standout Zedrick Woods, who went on to play collegiately at Ole Miss.
That type of comparison isn’t thrown around lightly by Allen, which is why he wasn’t surprised to see Mills meet his expectations.
“The things Zedrick did — the tackles for losses, the big plays that he made — we saw all of that with Mills this year,” Allen said. “His speed to be able to close to the ball, the violence in the way he played, all those things showed up.”
While Mills’ season was paved in part by his switch to linebacker, it can also be attributed to a chip on his shoulder. He says he was out to prove not only to himself but others that he was more than a pass rusher.
It’s partly why he decided to transfer from Mandarin to Columbia. He wanted a better opportunity, and needless to say, he made the most of it.
“People were saying, ‘I don’t know if he can play linebacker, I don’t know if he can cover or he can play in the box,’” Mills said. “So I just had a lot to prove this year, and I feel like I did my thing and did my part to show people that yeah, I can play linebacker and be a true linebacker — inside the box, outside of the box and cover.”
Despite his impressive campaign, Mills’ senior season ended with heartbreak in the Region 1-5A semifinals at Choctawhatchee. After the Tigers let a 20-7 lead slip away, they had a chance late to send the game into overtime facing a 4th-and-4 at the Choctaw 5-yard line.
Allen called on his best athlete to make a play, but a run with Mills was stopped just short at the sideline to send Columbia home. It’s a loss that still hurts for Mills, one he’s watched multiple times.
“I replayed it over and over to see what I could’ve done to help my team come out victorious,” he said. “It still sticks with me because it was my last game of my senior season, but there are always better things, and I have to move on and thank God for another opportunity to play at the next level.”
Where that will be is still to be determined. Mills says he’s still weighing offers from several schools ahead of signing day in February. But one thing is certain — Mills left his mark on a Columbia defense that was stronger, faster, and more dynamic all thanks to him.
“He’s one that’s comparable to some of the ones that have done it over the past 15 or so years,” Allen said. “He’s up there with the year that he had. He made plays all over the place defensively, was able to make things happen on the offensive side of the ball when we brought him over. He just came in and had a remarkable year. He was one of the best performers that we’ve had in a while.”
ALL-DEFENSE TEAM
DL: Terry Henry
Columbia, senior
Tied for the area lead with 11 sacks and had 48 tackles (15 for loss) while also forcing a fumble and recovering two.
DL: Jaden McCray
Columbia, junior
Had eight sacks and recorded 49 tackles, including 12 for loss.
DL: Kyten Davis
Columbia, senior
The Jacksonville State signee had seven sacks and 60 tackles (13 for) while also forcing one fumble and recovering one fumble.
DL: Kyler Watson
Suwannee, junior
Led the Bulldogs with 78 tackles (11 for loss) and eight sacks while also forcing two fumbles and recovering a fumble.
LB: Kameron Mills
Columbia, senior
The LCR’s Defensive Player of the Year led the Tigers with 78 tackles (an area-most 20 for loss), tied for an area-most 11 sacks and recorded two interceptions (one pick-6) while also forcing three fumbles. He also contributed in all three phases, blocking two punts while finishing with 414 all-purpose yards that included two rushing touchdowns.
LB: Trevor Byrd
Lafayette, junior
Led the Hornets with 86 tackles (eight for loss) while recording one interception and forcing one fumble.
LB: Wyatt Derringer
Branford, senior
Led the area with 102 tackles, including seven for loss.
DB: Julian De La Cruz
Columbia, senior
Tied for an area-high with four interceptions while recording 49 tackles and recovering one fumble.
DB: Tacori Allen
Columbia, junior
Returned three punts for touchdowns and also had a pick-6, one of his two interceptions in a year where he also had 35 tackles and one sack.
DB: Von Lane
Columbia, senior
Had two interceptions, one of which was a pick-6, and recorded 45 tackles.
DB: Jayden Jackson
Fort White, senior
The Georgia Southern signee tied for an area-most four interceptions and forced three fumbles while finishing the year with 37 tackles.
P: Mathan Cook
Columbia, junior
Averaged 32.7 yards per punt with long of 52 yards, pinning 13 inside the 20.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Allen, Columbia
Led the Tigers to an area-best 9-3 record and their first playoff win since 2022 — a 35-0 win over Rickards in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals — with a defense that allowed just 11.6 points per game. Columbia nearly advanced to the regional finals but came up just short against Choctaw in the regional semis in a 27-20 loss.