After a dynamic freshman season and the adversity of three coaching changes in his career, JD McKissic could've taken his talents beyond Jonesboro, Arkansas.
 
But instead, he stayed put, battled the obstacles and built one of the greatest careers in Arkansas State football history, setting multiple single-season and career records during his four-year stint from 2012-15. As a result, he will be enshrined in the A-State Hall of Honor on Friday, Oct. 25, at the annual banquet at the Woodard McAlister Family Club inside the Johnny Allison Tower of Centennial Bank Stadium.
 
McKissic noted that, while his numbers and accolades alone are Hall of Honor-caliber, and he believed he would be in one day, he was still humbled and honored when former teammate Taylor Stockemer delivered the news over the summer.
 
"It was great to hear him tell me that all of my hard work is finally being rewarded," he said. "It's such an honor. I expected it, but I just never knew when the call was going to come."
 
After a redshirt year in 2011, McKissic set the single-season program record for receptions (103) for 1,022 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2012 to earn Second-Team All-Sun Belt Conference laurels. Following that year and Gus Malzahn's departure after one season – the second head coach in as many seasons for the Phenix City, Ala., native after redshirting under Hugh Freeze – McKissic reflected about how he wanted to be remembered.
 
"It all come down to leaving a legacy, how I wanted to be remembered," McKissic said. "Arkansas State really became home for me. I did have chances to leave, but (I thought) about my teammates and the city of Jonesboro. I wanted to be here with these dudes. We were already doing some great things, and wanted to continue to do that."
 
In his second season, this time under Bryan Harsin, McKissic led the Sun Belt Conference with 82 grabs for 662 yards receiving. He also carried 18 times for 139 yards, totaling five more scores (four receiving) en route to First Team All-Sun Belt honors as a wideout and all-purpose back. He also racked up 629 kick-return yards, leading the conference with 30.0 yards per return.
 
As a junior, McKissic again had to learn a new offensive scheme under a new head coach, as Blake Anderson took the helm. But again, McKissic showcased his versatility on offense, averaging career highs in yards per catch (12.1) and yards per rush (12.8). He totaled 629 yards on 52 catches with 115 yards on nine rush attempts to help A-State to its fourth bowl game in four seasons.
 
Despite the consistency of the same head coach in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career, McKissic faced another obstacle: an offseason ankle injury. After a successful surgery and rehabilitation, he was ready for his final spin in Scarlet and Black.
 
In that final season, in 2015 – Anderson's second season – McKissic cemented his legacy as one of A-State's all-time greats. He added 52 more catches for 525 yards to establish program career records in receptions (289) and receiving yards (2,826), and earned First-Team All-SBC honors as an all-purpose back and second-team wideout.
 
Such a career – and the versatility of a Swiss-Army knife – caught the eye of numerous NFL teams, who believed he could help not only in the passing game, but on the ground. He got his chance in the backfield late in his rookie season with Seattle in 2016, but noted that A-State more than prepared him for the position switch.
 
"A-State definitely got me ready for a lot of things, especially when it comes to football and being able to get the ball in all sorts of ways," McKissic said. "I was moved to running back towards the end of my first year in the NFL, and it was unexpected, but I had carries at Arkansas State and they got me ready for that. (Under Malzahn), we had a lot of bubble screens, but those were almost like carries and got me used to putting my foot in the ground and getting vertical. That really taught me how to be the bell cow."
 
McKissic rushed for 187 yards on 46 carries in 2017 – his first full season – while hauling in 34 catches for 266 yards with the Seahawks. Two seasons later, he was picked up by the Detroit Lions where he totaled 438 yards (205 rushing, 233 receiving) and played 16 games.
 
His fifth season found him with the Washington Football Team, where he shined brightest. He totaled 954 yards of offense (365 rushing, 589 receiving) with a career-high 80 receptions in 2020. He had 609 yards of offense (212 rushing, 397 receiving) in 2021, and then played in eight games in 2022 before retiring after being placed on the IR with a neck injury.
 
McKissic would return to campus to train during the offseason, but came back to Jonesboro for another reason this past spring: to sign autographs at Pack Day. While the place has evolved since his time as a Red Wolf, the same love from the fans is what stuck out to him.
 
"It was great to see how the fans were ready and willing to come see me and (Blake Grupe)," he said. "Coming back now and seeing how Jonesboro has evolved, it's a totally different city. It was amazing to see (the changes to the football facility) and to come back and get some of that love (after my NFL career ended)."
 
Amidst coaching changes, injuries, successful seasons and everything in between, it's the love that Arkansas State had for McKissic that he recalls most.  
 
"Arkansas State prepared me for adversity," he said. "When I think about A-State, I think about a loving place, a place where I really was able to get away from everything else in hard times."
 
The Hall of Honor induction ceremony and banquet is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased by contacting the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online here. Those interested in purchasing tickets can also contact Brandon Cunningham at 870-972-3005 or by emailing redwolvesfoundation@astate.edu.