HIGH SCHOOL

Oakland's Wanya Moton commits to UT Martin

Cecil Joyce
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

The UT Martin football team is tapping into Rutherford County talent for its 2017 signing class.

Having already received a commitment from Smyrna's Deylon Williams last month, the Skyhawks also have a lot of interest from Bulldogs Deven Sims and Nick Okeke, who took visits there last weekend.

UT Martin scooped up Oakland's Wanya Moton over the weekend.

Moton committed to UT Martin on Sunday following a recruiting trip. The defensive back said it wasn't a tough decision.

"When I first got up there and met with the coaches, it's got that family feel," Moton said. "It was like a home away from home, which is something I was looking for. It was a perfect fit for me."

Moton had 28 tackles and three interceptions for the Patriots, who went 14-1 and finished state runner-up in Class 6A.

The versatile defender could step in at any of the Skyhawks' defensive back positions.

"A little bit of both," he said, referring to safety and cornerback. "I'm going to be working for a corner (position)."

Moton wasn't the only Patriot on recruiting visits over the weekend. Standout safety Kaleb Oliver visited Ole Miss a week after decommitting from Mississippi State.

Teammates Lazarius Patterson and Sun Reed both visited Bethel over the weekend.

MTSU softball gets another local commitment: MTSU's softball team got another local commitment when Oakland junior infielder/pitcher Gracie Kirby chose the Blue Raiders over the weekend.

As a sophomore, Kirby batted .417 with 33 runs, 12 doubles, three home runs, 26 RBIs and a 1.182 OPS in just 33 games.

As a pitcher, she had a 2.33 ERA in eight appearances, striking out 17 in 21 innings.

Kirby joins Riverdale senior Brooke McClure as locals who have committed to the Blue Raiders over the past week.

Belmont got the early jump on local softball talent by receiving commitments from Siegel sophomore Presley Leebrick and Oakland freshman Sophie Golliver recently.

Leebrick batted .355 last season in 110 at-bats for the Lady Stars. Golliver is a freshman pitcher for the Lady Patriots.

Blackman sophomore Kendall Andrews also recently committed early, choosing Chattanooga.

The outfielder batted .383 in 101 at-bats as a freshman last season, belting seven doubles, two triples, a home run and 12 runs scored.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.