Busy day for signings in Tiftarea

Steve Carter/Assistant Managing Editor CNHI

TIFTON — For fans of college and high school football National Signing Day is an unofficial national holday.

If it is truly a holiday, friends, fans and family joined six local players Wednesday in helping celebrate Wednesday.

At Tift County High, Shaq Johnson and Jakevin Jackson decided to remain teammates as both signed with Georgia Military College.

The only junior college in the state of Georgia that offers football, Georgia Military is known as a national power. The school has had 30 representatives play in the National Football League since 1995, and has had 123 sign with Division I schools.

Jackson said that was one of the reasons he decided on going to GMC.

“I had surgery on my shoulder and they were one of the schools that stayed after me,” said Jackson. “I thought it was a good place for me, because I can get better and sign with a bigger school after my sophomore year. They told me they have sent over 300 kids on to four-year schools, so I know I will get noticed.”

Johnson added, “I liked the program, and I know they will help me become a better football player.”

Both players had the same response when asked about the school’s military requirements.

Jackson said, “The discipline will only help me become a better person and football player,” as Johnson nodded in agreement.

Later in the day, Nick Utley became the third Tift County Blue Devil to ink a college scholarship. The wide receiver inked with Valdosta State.

Utley’s father, Shawn, played at the school, but he said there were other factors in wanting to play for the Blazers.

“The coaches, campus, the people down there are all great,” said Utley. “I loved the facilities, as well.”

Utley said he was also offered by West Georgia, Shorter and Furman. But, Valdosta State also offered something else for the former Blue Devil.

“I am real excited about being close to home,” said Utley. “I like being able to come back and visit.”

Over in Fitzgerald, two Purple Hurricanes inked scholarships to play at the next level.

JaQuadrian Lewis will take his talents to Troy (Ala.) University next season, while teammate Tolerance Shepherd will be going to play for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Lewis was named first-team All-State after his senior season after recording 148 total tackles during the 2011 campaign. He also had two interceptions and two pass break-ups.

During his combined junior and senior seasons, Lewis had 286 total tackles.

After rushing for 1,564 yards and 24 touchdowns his senior season, Shepherd was named honorable mention All-State.

UTC Head Coach Russ Huesman said this about Shepherd on the school’s website, “Tolerance does a lot of things. He's a running back, he can play wide out in the slot or at defensive back. Right now we have him penciled in at running back, but he's a guy who can fly. He's a 10.8 100 meter guy. (He looked) really, really impressive (on) film. Loved him when he came up for his visit. We really feel like we got a sleeper in this one."

Finally Cook High School’s Travin Henry inked Wednesday to play for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

During the 2011 season, Henry had 47 catches for 987 yards, and eight touchdowns.

Yellow Jacket Head Coach Paul Johnson said in a quote e-mailed to the Gazette, “Travin is a young man we're really excited about. He has great size and we feel like he has a lot of potential. He's versatile enough to play a number of positions."

While there were only six reported signings in the Tiftarea Wednesday, there will be more in the coming days, according to head coaches in the area.

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