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Signing roundup Feb. 7
Eight area athletes choose colleges
EDITOR’S NOTE: These are the first of the National Signing Day stories to be published by The Daily News. We will continue to cover other signings over the next several days.
Being a workhorse may not have ended just in high school for Adrain Williams.
The former White Oak football standout plans on doing much of the same at the next level.
Williams, the Vikings’ workhorse running back, signed his National Letter of Intent early Wednesday evening to play at North Carolina-Pembroke.
As a senior, the 5-foot-7, 218-pounder rushed for 1,365 yards and 16 touchdowns in leading White Oak a 6-6 mark and a berth to the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs. Williams’ biography on Pembroke’s athletic Web site proclaimed that he ran for at least 85 yards in all 12 games.
When his season was completed, Williams ended with 197 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per tote.
“I know for sure they (UNCP Braves) don’t have a back who can carry 20-30 times a game and a couple of times this past year I carried 30 times,” said Williams. “I know when the fourth quarter comes I can still carry the ball for them.”
The possibility of providing an early contribution is one reason Williams decided on Pembroke among other considerations, including three-time reigning Division I Football Championship Subdivision champion Appalachian State, Lenoir-Rhyne, Wofford, Alabama-Birmingham.
Another was the fact the campus wasn’t too far from home and from brother Deunta, currently playing at North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
“There were a lot of schools that I wanted to go to,” said Williams, the son of Phillip and Danine Collins. “I took visits to narrow them down and I am glad (the process) is over with because it was very tiring.”
White Oak head coach Bob Blick believes UNCP is a good fit.
“Pembroke really liked him,” he said. “Adrain is a powerful runner, he has a great set of hands and they feel he can fit in and fill their needs.
“He has a good opportunity to play right away.”
During their inaugural season in 2007, the Braves went 4-7, dropping four games by 10 points or less. Williams explained the program primary consisted of freshmen and sophomores.
“I know I can bring leadership,” said Williams. “Talking to the coaches during my visit, they told me they wanted me to contribute early and lead by example.”
[] Batchelor to St. Augustine’s: Football wasn’t the lone reason Rowdy Batchelor decided where he was going to attend college.
Rather, St. Augustine’s offered the White Oak linebacker more.
“They have a 99 percent graduation rate, so it’s not only about football, it’s also about me graduating,” he said. “They also are really family oriented.”
Batchelor will receive a minority scholarship at the school located in Raleigh. Among other schools he considered were Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Methodist, Randolph Macon, Lenoir-Rhyne and NC Wesleyan. And despite Batchelor becoming one of the few non-African Americans at predominantly black St. Augustine’s, he said he felt comfortable with the campus environment.
“The football team is family,” said Batchelor, the son of John and Jennifer Batchelor who also acknowledged uncle Nick Hunter. “That is what matters to me.”
Blick feels Batchelor’s toughness will impress the college coaches.
“They need a linebacker and they feel Rowdy can fill a need for them right away,” said Blick. “Rowdy is a very powerful young man and is extremely aggressive.
“He will come up and hit you and that is the kind of player they need.”
Added Batchelor: “I am not scared of anybody. I will go up (against anybody) because I am there to hit.”
Just a matter of time before he displays that attitude in practice.
“As a freshman I am going to go up there and give everything I have,” Batchelor said. “I will try to outplay everybody and get playing time as a freshman.”
Division II St. Augustine’s last season was 2-8 overall and 2-5 in the CIAA.
[] La’Tarrance Young: Pretty soon White Oak’s La’Tarrance Young will find himself repeating the phrase “Go Army, Beat Navy.”
Because on Wednesday, Young signed his letter of intent to play for the Black Knights based in West Point, N.Y.
“It (signing) went good,” he said. “I’m glad it’s over with because it is a long process.”
The 5-11, 197-pound cornerback said he also considered Buffalo and Connecticut. In the end, it came down to a couple of things.
“Army’s academic program is real good,” said Young, the son of retired La’Tarrance Sr. and Sandra Young. “Their facilities are top of the line.”
But before participating with the football team, Young will spend a year with the prep school. There he will get accustomed to the military and college life. After the year, Young will still have four years of eligibility with the Black Knights, who last season went 3-9, including a 38-3 defeat to Navy.
“I think I will be alright (with the military life) because I’m used to it,” said Young, who will be on a full scholarship. “I am going to take that first year as a learning experience.”
There is a possibility Young will use the initial year to learn the linebacking position. While a defensive back, he said the coaches might look at him lining up closer to the offensive line.
“But I’d rather play safety because I am more comfortable there,” he said. “I think it fits me because I have speed to cover.”
Added Blick: “La’Tarrance is a strong, scrappy young man.”
[] JHS’ Johnson to Campbell: Jacksonville running back Justis Johnson zeroed in on Campbell University early and stuck to his plan, signing with the Camels.
“Last summer I went to a football camp upthere and I just really liked the campus a lot,” Johnson said. “They’ve got a good football program, a good academic program.”
Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 185-pounder, rushed for nearly 800 yards last season and was a versatile threat for the Cardinals, returning kicks and catching passes out of the backfield. He expects a similar role at Campell.
“They said I’d probably start (as a freshman) on special teams … and maybe some offense,” he said.
Jacksonville head coach Ben Marsh sees Campell as an excellent fit for Johnson.
“Campell is just starting out their football program and I know they’re excited getting the type of athlete Justis is,” Marsh said. “I think he’s a little better athlete than they’re used to getting at this point.
“They fell in love with Justis at football camp last summer and recruited him hard all day long. They really like his quick feet, the way he moves and they think that he can do some things as probably a receiver or kick returner.”
Campbell will be playing football this season for the first time in more than half a century as the school is restarting its program under coach Dale Steele. The Camels last played football in 1950.
“I thought it was a good opportunity,” Johnson, the 17-year-old son of Thaddeus and Jana Johnson, said of joining a brand new program. “I get to try to help out and start the program back up.”
[] Dante Dixon to Mt. Olive: Dante Dixon will take his soccer scoring abilities to Mount Olive.
The midfielder from Richlands chose the Trojans over Gardner-Webb, Methodist, Appalachian State and UNC-Pembroke among others.
“Coach (Jerry) Riggs recruited me for a while, I know him and I like him as a person,” said Dixon. “I like the way he coaches … he told me he doesn’t base things just on experience and how I can come out and earn a position.
“I like that philosophy.”
But that was not the lone reason for the decision from Dixon, the son of Jeff and Terry Dixon.
“My mom graduated from Mount Olive and my parents said they will try to make every game,” he said. “My family is supportive.”
Richlands head coach Mike Roed likes Dixon attending Mount Olive.
“It’s a good fit, there are some local guys there that he knows and who will make him feel comfortable,” he said. “Dante kind of knows the system … he will be able to adjust.”
As a senior, Dixon shared The Daily News Offensive Player of the year honor after the forward led the area in scoring with 30 goals and 19 assists. Many times he used his speed to get in position to receive the ball close to the goal.
“My speed always helps me out,” said Dixon. “I am looking at playing a little bit up top (for the Trojans).”
Roed believes Dixon’s quickness is just one thing that can allow him to earn early playing time.
“Dante is determined and he works hard because he doesn’t just want to be average,” he said. “Dante is able to see what will happen before and he anticipates what types of runs to make.”
[] Dixon’s Gray picks Pfeiffer: Erin Gray has accomplished a lot over her four years playing volleyball at Dixon. She was named two-time Daily News Co-Player of the Year and was 2007 Coastal Plains 1-A Conference Player of the Year.
Her accomplishments gained the attention of several colleges and now she will have the opportunity to play volleyball as she signed a letter of intent to go to Pfeiffer University.
“I’m pretty excited,” Gray said. “I’m excited to continue to play volleyball and to not stop. “(Pfeiffer head coach Ben Guiliano) came to many of the camps I’ve been to. He’s a great coach. When I visited the campus, I met the players and knew that I would fit in with them.”
Dixon head coach Fay Hall said Pfeiffer is an excellent school for Gray to continue her volleyball career and her education.
“Erin has worked really hard to go to Pfeiffer. What helped her was playing club volleyball. She is so committed to playing volleyball. Erin will fit well with the program. The transition will be good for Erin. I think the coach is a protective coach. Academics are big at Pfeiffer. I expect her to do well. She deserves it.
“As a player, she can fit with any team very well. They fit into a family role. That is a great thing for her. Whatever the coach ask for her to do she will do whatever needs to be done. That’s one thing she’s capable to do. She gives it 100 percent.”
Gray had 189 kills, 147 service points, 125 digs and 58 in her senior year and helped Dixon to an undefeated regular season and sent Dixon to the semifinals of the 1-A Playoffs.
[] Putnam heading to UNC-Asheville: In her four years at Jacksonville High, Erin Putnam was a force in the Mideastern 3-A/4-A Conference. She will continue to build on that as she signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross country and track at UNC-Asheville.
“I could not be happier,” said Putnam. “It’s been a pretty long road. All of my hard work paid off. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
“I heard a lot about Asheville. A girl I used to run against went there and she said some good things about it. They have good academics. Everything seems to fit.”
The 17-year-old daughter of Craig and Laura Putnam also considered the Naval Academy, Georgetown University and High Point University.
“I think it’s great,” said JHS cross country head coach Tim Hood. “She worked hard for the last four years. She’s been a great leader. … She’s the second player to be All-Conference all four years and the other one was Tsehaye Dagnachew and she runs for UNC-Charlotte.”
Hood explained he saw something special in her from the moment she made the cross country team.
“She came in right on the scene,” Hood said. “She did well in the conference and the (Eastern) Regionals as a freshman. We knew that she would have a successful career. She battled a little bit of injuries this year, but she battled hard.
“(UNC-Asheville) is going to get someone who’s not going to complain. Whenever the coach asks her to do something she won’t complain. They will get an all-around student-athlete.”
Putnam’s biggest factor in choosing UNC-Asheville was the way the cross country and track program was going.
“I have visited the school twice,” she said. “I met coach Jesse Norman and the athletic director (Janet Cone). They have a vision for UNC-Asheville for the track and cross country programs. I’m excited about being there.”
[] Harkless to Campbellsville: Isaac Harkless has always been undersized throughout his career playing football.
But the Campbellsville University coaching staff saw potential in the 140-pound player and Harkless signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky.
“They are willing to give him a chance with his quickness,” said Lejeune head coach Tom Childs. “He worked hard to get it. He’s tough. I think he will do well. He went out there and visited them. He liked it and his parents liked it too. They like the academics there. It’s a good fit there.”
Harkless, the 18-year-old son of Martin and Tina Harkless, said he also looked into Greensboro College before making his decision to choose the NAIA school that started its program in 1987.
“I’m excited,” Harkless said. “I can’t wait to get there. I went there before, it caught my attention the second time. The people are nice there. I can have one-on-one time with the teachers if I need it. It’s nice to know that my hard work on my own helped out.”
Harkless said he’s likely to play special teams along with seeing some time at running back.
“I was happy for him because of his size,” Childs said. “He weighs 140 pounds. He has the ability to do well. He feels comfortable there and he likes the coaches. I want them to go on to the next level."
