Besides his obvious on-field talent, Haynes Eller will be taking several outstanding qualities that should help him compete at the next level. Eller, the 6-foot-5, 210 pound all-state quarterback from East Hamilton High School signed scholarship papers to East Tennessee State University Tuesday.
While putting up gaudy statistics as the Hurricanes starter over the last two seasons, Eller also earned respect and was unanimously voted team captain before his senior season.
"Haynes is a great quarterback and a competitor who has earned everything," said East Hamilton coach Grant Reynolds during Tuesday's signing day which also honored standout defensive tackle/left guard Brandon Williams (University of the Cumberlands) and basketball star Marcus Long (Southern Wesleyan University).
"One thing that has always stood out to me is the way he leads," Reynolds added. "In the locker room he was so personable with everyone. He would talk to the freshman players like they were on the same level as him and make everyone feel comfortable. That's an important trait that will serve him well not only in college, but life as well."
Eller's game skyrocketed when Reynolds took over the East Hamilton program and changed the offense from a triple-option attack to a pro-style set, which fit Eller's strong-armed abilities perfectly.
East Hamilton's star quarterback completed 296-of-485 (.610) passes for 4,447 yards, 41 passing touchdowns and three rushing scores over the past two seasons. The Class 4A Hurricanes' eight wins in 2020 were the most for the program since advancing to the state quarterfinals in 2015.
Anxious to begin his college career in Johnson City, Eller is focused on putting in work in the weight room and on the field.
"My dream is to set some records," said Eller, who started for East Hamilton's winningest basketball team and also was a standout baseball pitcher this spring. "I want to go out there and prove myself and play as early as I can. ETSU had been in contact with me throughout the whole process and I really think they are the perfect fit for me. I am very thankful and blessed for this opportunity."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / East Hamilton High School (12) Haynes Eller throws the ball Friday. Sullivan South played at East Hamilton in the class 4A football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.