Wesson's Walker Breazeale in Second Place for National Youth Athlete of the Year, Voting Ends Thursday

A ninth grader from Copiah Academy is sitting in second place in a national competition, and his hometown has four days to push him to the top.

Walker Breazeale currently ranks No. 2 in the 2026 Youth Athlete of the Year competition, a nationwide search hosted by 3BRAND, the youth apparel company founded by Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and Ciara. The winner will receive $25,000, be featured in a 3BRAND national ad campaign appearing on CBS and in Sports Illustrated, and get a one-on-one mentoring session with Wilson.

Voting for group finals ends this Thursday, Sept. 24, at 10 p.m. Central.

For Breazeale, baseball has never been just a game.

"Winning the youth athlete of the year would mean the world to me," Breazeale said. "It would mean that I have accomplished what I set out to accomplish, being recognized for my hard work."

On his competition profile, Breazeale says he has loved the game since birth and is committed to growth and development on and off the field. Ask him what he loves most about the sport, and the answer comes fast: the chance to compete.

That competitive streak hasn't made him complacent. Breazeale says he has always felt a natural talent for baseball, but he doesn't lean on it.

"I know that I still have to work really hard because someone will always try to outwork me and the competition will always be tight," he said.

That work ethic has already produced a moment he points to with pride: a hit off a pitcher already committed to play college ball.

Off the field, Breazeale looks to former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow for inspiration, calling him "a good person that inspires me to be my best on and off the field."

"I'm thankful that I've been given this opportunity," Breazeale said. "I'm grateful that I have loving support and I'm proud of where I came from and I'm excited for the future to see where it takes me. I love the game of baseball."

Fans can vote for free once, and sometimes twice, each day. Additional votes can be purchased through a donation benefiting the Why Not You Foundation, Wilson and Ciara's nonprofit focused on education, children's health and fighting poverty.

With four days left, Wesson has a chance to send one of its own to the top spot, but only if enough people show up for him.

Cast a free vote for Walker Breazeale at athleteoftheyear.org/2026/walker-44b1.