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...Click here to see a video of Shorter College’s recruiting day.
Four Floyd County high school seniors signed letters of intent with Shorter on Wednesday, becoming part of a Signing Day that saw 33 players make a commitment to the Hawks of the Mid-South Conference.
“We’re real happy with the young men that have signed with us and we appreciate them,” Jones said. “I think we have really helped our football team for the future.”
Coosa seniors Drew Putnam and Zach Owens joined Pepperell players Don Burkhalter and Mike Fletcher in signing with Shorter on Wednesday.
For the Eagles’ duo, both of which were named to the Rome News-Tribune All-Area team, their senior season became a new beginning. “Those two guys, in my opinion, moved to the forefront of our team last year and showed great leadership,” Coosa coach Chad Perry said.
“I’m tickled to see them si
gn, of course, but for them to play so close to home for a coach like coach Jones, I feel like they’ll be a good fit there.”
Owens, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound all-purpose player, had 41 tackles, 19 assists and 8 tackles for a loss as an outside linebacker in his senior season while also playing tight end and on special teams.
“When you talk about Zack Owens, he’s one of those guys that we’ll need to get three guys to replace him.”
Putnam was put in at linebacker for his senior season while still playing starting center for Coosa and impressed Perry with his intelligence.
“We put a lot on his shoulders going into his senior year and he spent the time and the effort to excel,” Perry said.
The 5-10, 200-pound player graded below 90 percent in just one game last season at center and recorded 36 tackles, 29 assists and three fumble recoveries on defense.
“First of all, both of them are good students and high-character kids,” Jones said of Owens and Putnam. “I think we’ll get some versatile players in those two.”
Pepperell coach Jeff Shiflett was pleased to see two of his seniors take up with Shorter and was high on both of them to make an impact with the Hawks.
Fletcher, who transferred from Indiana as a sophomore, found his spot on the Dragons’ roster last season as he had 30 tackles, 13 assists, five TFL and 10 sacks at linebacker.
“He’s got a huge motor,” Shiflett said of the 6-foot, 180-pound athlete. “We stressed 110 percent on our team last year and that’s the way he played.”
“Don’s got a lot of natural ability and a big frame,” Shiflett said. “His body type is what most schools are looking for on an offensive line at the college level.”
“Burkhalter has a very good size and we think he’s got his best football ahead of him,” Jones said. “And to get a local football player with his talent is important to us.”
Jones said Fletcher, a Rome News-Tribune All-Area honorable mention this past season, had a lot of heart and will look at being utilized on both sides of the ball.
Also a part of Shorter’s 2008 recruiting class are a group of players that helped lead their respective teams to a state championship.
Class AAAAA State Champions Lowndes County had three of their own sign with the Hawks — All-State left tackle Levi Vedas, All-Region center Ethan Barwick and running back Adrian Hargett.
Andy Kellogg, the starting center for the 2007 Class AA State Champion Buford Wolves, also committed to Shorter.
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