Although his offensive statistics caught the attention of a handful of college programs, Brainerd’s Jermaine Williams was drawn to the one team that wanted him as a defender. Williams signed with Tennessee Tech on Wednesday morning, citing his comfort with the campus, academics and the fact that Golden Eagles coaches told him they planned to use him as a safety.
“I like to hit,” Williams said. “I know most schools liked me as a receiver, but I wanted to play defense.
“I felt comfortable walking around the campus and got to know a lot about the academic side of the school. My parents asked me if I would be comfortable going to school there if I didn’t have football and when I said I was, that helped me make my decision.”
The 6-foot-4, 186-pound Williams was also recruited by Eastern Kentucky, Alabama State, UT-Chattanooga and Austin Peay as a receiver after averaging 20.9 yards per catch as a senior on his way to a 1,000-yard season.
“It’s always good when we have a kid who meets the ultimate goal of getting to play at the next level,” Panthers coach Marvin Jones said. “Jermaine’s a good example of what hard work on the field and in class can do.”
Williams, a three-year starter, also made 72 tackles and joins a program which boasts several other former area players – Red Bank receiver Tim Benford, South PIttsburg receiver Antonio Robinson and Howard running back Tremaine Hudson.
McCallie defensive lineman Midoho Okpokowuruk also signed with Tennessee Tech on Wednesday. Okpokowuruk is the third brother in his family to sign a college scholarship, following Ayanga and Ifreke, who have each played at Duke University.
Signal’s has 1st signee
When Trey Skyles faxed in his paperwork with Carson-Newman he became Signal Mountain’s first college football signee. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Skyles played offensive guard and linebacker for the Eagles, making 86 tackles, but will likely move to the defensive line at the next level.
“We’re all very proud of Trey because he’s a young man who really overachieved,” Signal Mountain coach Bill Price said. “It’s exciting for our program and hopefully he will be the first of many to make it to the next level from here.”
Pirates continue trend
With Wednesday’s two signees – defensive end Jiajuan Fennell with Middle Tennessee State University and quarterback Terrell Robinson with UT-Chattanooga – South Pittsburg has had nine players sign scholarships in the last three years and 12 in the last five.
“For a Class 1A school with about 215 boy students, that’s a pretty unbelievable total,” Pirates coach Vic Grider said. “This type stuff doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects the commitment level our kids have not only to our football program, but to their academics.
“It’s a lesson to our younger kids because those kids have made themselves attractive to college coaches not just with their talent but by having their grades in order.”
Robinson currently ranks second in the school’s senior class academically and Fennell is fifth.
“A lot of people overlook their school work but that’s what I’ve always focused on, even more than football,” Fennell said. “That’s what’s important because football doesn’t last forever.”
Rudy Award goes to …
It wasn’t all good news for the Pirates’ program Wednesday, however. Defensive lineman Jonathan Blevins, who was one of 30 national finalists for the High School Rudy awards’ inspirational scholarship, did not win the award. Caleb Leindecker of Baton Rouge (LA) won the $10,000 scholarship. Justin Ray Duke of Shepherd (TX) and Kyle Weafer of Overland Park (KS) won the two $5,000 scholarships.