TIFTON — Tift County football celebrated Jaden Nelson Monday as the Blue Devils star signed with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Athletic director Chris Martin said it was special for any athlete at Tift County to have earned the right to play at the next level. “We appreciate your effort you’ve put forth here at Tift County High School,” said Martin.

“We appreciate the buy-in that Jaden gave to the values we presented,” said Blue Devils football head coach Jeff Littleton, who came in for Nelson’s senior season.

He is one of 11 announced for the Mocs’ early signing period. Nelson’s bio on the Chattanooga website mentions he will be a mechanical engineering major.

Littleton and staff are not just proud of what Nelson brought to the football program. “We’re proud of his efforts in the classroom,” Littleton said, touting Nelson’s character as well.

“We look forward to watching him on Saturdays,” said Littleton. He called UT Chattanooga “a great school, a great program with a lot of tradition.”

On their website, Mocs head coach Rusty Wright complimented both Tift County and southern Georgia football.

Nelson “[d]oes a really good job of playing back there in a secondary for them,” said Wright. “Has really good ball skills, good tackler. You know, just I think he’s got an opportunity to grow and be a really good one for us for a long time.”

Nelson thanked God for the opportunities to continue his academic and athletic career. He also thanked his parents, coaches, teammates and family.

He was a first team All-Region pick for 1-6A this year as a safety, a year after he was a second team selection.

Tift stats credit Nelson with 37 tackles this year, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He rarely missed a snap, featuring on special teams returns and recovered an onside kick to begin the Lowndes contest.

Nelson was a quarterback option early in his high school career, but didn’t fully figure into the offense until he was a senior.

This season, Nelson scored twice. One was an interception return against Griffin in the season opener. The other was a one-yard run when the Blue Devils played at Richmond Hill. Nelson was a wildcat quarterback on the play, using his a line push and his strength to reach the end zone. He officially caught six passes for 66 yards.

Beyond football, Nelson has been a key player for the Blue Devils on the basketball court. Head coach Tommy Blackshear often calls Nelson his best defender and though an injury has kept him out of games early this season, Nelson is expected to share in point guard duties once he returns.

Head boys basketball coach Tommy Blackshear popped in to congratulate Nelson and family. Getting a scholarship is difficult, he said. “This is a big step,” he said. “Just go do good.”