National Signing day came and went Wednesday and it was a bittersweet afternoon for coaches and players.
On one hand, the coaches were happy their players had signed letters of intent to play college football.
But they were also wishing they didn’t have to fill the holes those players were leaving.
“I think each one of those guys are comfortable in the places they’re going and they like the players there and coaches there,” said Rome coach Sid Fritts, maybe speaking on behalf of all area coaches.
“We’re proud of them for accomplishing that, but by the same token, we’re sure going to miss them. We’d like to have them another year for ourselves.”
On Wednesday, 22 area players signed letters of intent to play with colleges and universities.
Rome High led the way with four players signing with Division I schools.
Linebacker Toryan Smith signed with Notre Dame, receiver Brian Watters inked with Central Florida, linebacker Roderick Jackson signed with Murray State and running back Otis Spivey went with Austin Peay.
“All four at the Division I level is nice, but we’re thankful they’re able to continue their education and on top of that continue to play the game they love,” Fritts said.
Smith was the 2005 Rome News-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year, an all-state selection, and the Region 7-AAAA player of the year for the second straight year.
Smith is part of the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation, according to ESPN.com, and the first official class under coach Charlie Weis.
“It was more of the senior’s team than anyone else’s and they had more at stake,” Fritts said. ‘Those guys took us a long way and Toryan was a leader because of what he brought to the defense.”
Watters, an all-area selection at receiver, was a big part of Rome’s success on both sides of the ball.
“Brian may be the most versatile player I’ve ever had the chance to coach,” Fritts said. “We could use him a lot of ways on offense and watch him step back and play free safety without ever knowing it was his first time.”
Spivey, a top running back, and Jackson were two that escaped the spotlight but were given their rewards in the end.
Darlington’s Ryan McMahon, an all-area selection, signed with Florida State after being the school’s first defensive commitment of the year prior to last football season.
“We were excited when Ryan started getting offers,” said Darlington coach Tommy Atha. “Once he visited Florida State, as far as he was concerned, it was a done deal. He felt it was a right fit. It was a blessing because he already knew where he was going, so he could focus on the Darlington Tigers the rest of the year.”
McMahon was the third player in three years from Darlington to sign with a Division I school.
Chantz McClinic signed with Wake Forest two years ago and Sam Wilson inked with Southern Miss last year.
“We certainly think it’s a feather in the cap for our kids to move on to Division I programs,” Atha said. “We’ve been blessed with kids that can play. Anytime they can not only further their career but to do it at the D-I level it is rewarding.”
Adairsville’s Nick Sloan, a Rome News-Tribune All-Area pick, signed with the Mountaineers of Appalachian State.
Coosa had four players sign with on Wednesday, all of whom inked with Shorter.
Daniel Burchett, David Robinson, Cohan Sharp and Jamie Penney signed with the Hawks.
Calhoun quarterback Cody Worley signed with Furman to play for Bobby Lamb, brother of his high school coach Hal Lamb.
“I think that they have similar styles,” Worley said. “Both are great coaches and great men. I’m sure that it will be fun.”
For Calhoun High teammate Kris Durham, signing his letter of intent to Georgia Wednesday was simply a formality, since he had already enrolled.
Durham, the AA All-State Defensive Player of the Year and Rome News-Tribune Offensive Player of the year, caught 55 passes this season for the Class AA runner-up Yellow Jackets with an average of 19.3 yards per reception.
Rockmart High School had a trio of football players sign with Division II schools Wednesday that were all a part of taking their team to the state playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
Larry Timmons, the 6-foot-5, 365-pound lineman for the Jackets, signed on the play with Fort Valley State University.
Fort Valley is a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and is located west of Warner Robins.
Rockmart’s top wide receiver, T.C. Jay, committed to joining the ever-growing ranks of the Shorter College Hawks.
All-Area running back LaTrenton Peek signed with Truman State University.
Formerly Northeast Missouri State, Truman is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Four Cedartown players also inked letters of intent.
Russell Tillery signed with Shorter College, Ricky Cooper inked with Fort Valley State University and Michael Monroe and Dennis Glover signed with Saint Augustine’s College.
Gordon Central linebacker D.K. Nicholson signed with Air Force, while running back T.J. Hamilton went with Tennessee-Martin and receiver Jahoyde Owens inked with Louisiana Tech.
Hamilton is Central’s all-time rusher with 3,614 yards. Last fall, he ran for 1,233 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns.
Nicholson was the Warriors’ top tackler for the past two seasons (243 solos and 67 assists). That included 14 tackles for losses, four caused fumbles and three recovered fumbles.
As a tight end in his senior year, he caught 22 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Owens is Central’s all-time leading receiver with 1,679 yards. Last season, he had 24 catches for 333 yards and four touchdowns — adding two six-pointers rushing and one kickoff return.
“It speaks well of how hard our players work to get into a position to be recruited,” Central head coach Bill Long said. “It speaks how well our athletic program is at the national level. It takes both academics and talent.”
“This is a celebration about our school family and football family,” he said. “On Saturday afternoons in the fall, it’s another chance to see somebody (on television) who played at Gordon Central.
“There is no feeling in the world like it. These guys are humble about it.”
(Sports writers Doug Hawley, Jeremy Stewart and Brad Easterwood contributed to this story.)
