buckeyeball Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Good luck to the kids in all of those schools. Clearly the players put the work in on the field. Hate that they'll suffer due to reckless adults. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted August 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Sunday Sports Brunch: Germantown star picks Hoosiers John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 10:00 a.m. CT Aug. 6, 2017 Germantown star picks Hoosiers A little more than a week after de-committing from Ole Miss in the wake of the Hugh Freeze resignation, Jaylin Williams has found a new home. Williams, the talented defensive back from Germantown, announced on Twitter last week that he has verbally committed to Indiana, one of the dozen or so schools that had offered. "Sometimes in life, things happen beyond our control," proclaimed a video accompanying Williams' Tweet. "So I made the decision that was best for me." Williams — who made an unofficial visit to Bloomington on July 30 — is the Hoosiers' 13th commitment in the Class of 2018. Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com. Edited August 7, 2017 by kwc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted November 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 Kirby High School QB, Jaden Johnson commits to play football at Louiville Jaden Johnson on Louisville Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted November 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) Kirby's Jaden Johnson commits to Louisville John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 10:00 a.m. CT Nov. 6, 2017 (Photo: Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal) From Chris Redman and Brian Brohm to Teddy Bridgewater and Lamar Jackson, the University of Louisville has historically done a terrific job of producing quarterbacks. Jaden Johnson will have a chance to join that list. Johnson — a class of 2019 standout — verbally committed to the Cardinals last week. The decision came after a visit to the school for the Clemson game on Sept. 16. Verbal commitments are non-binding but the player said he was thrilled to say yes to coach Bobby Petrino. "What made me commit was the atmosphere (and) the coaching staff," he said. "The fans ... really just the whole atmosphere. They really treat you like family. The tailgating was fun; they really make good bar-b-que." Culinary delights aside, Johnson should fit in well with the Cardinals' high-octane offense, which led the nation with 549 yards per game through the first nine contests. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Johnson has the arm to make all the throws but can also get out of the pocket and make plays when needed. As a junior, he averaged just under 200 yards per game of total offense and accounted for 19 touchdowns. Cougars' coach Chester Flowers is quick to point out though that it's not just Johnson's skill that impressed the Cardinals. It was also his football brain. "This is a young man that came in as a freshman and embraced a very complex offensive system," he said. "He never shied away from the difficult things I was wanting him to do early on. "He can make throws to every area of the field, but it's his mental ability, the ability to break down defenses, executing read-progressions ... they're seeing him do things they don't normally see a high school quarterback do. "He can get on the board right now and probably break down any defense you put up there." Johnson said the long hours were worth it. "It was real tough," he said. "There were a lot of long hard days in the summertime when I couldn't make the throws. Now the game has just really slowed down for me and I can process things a lot faster." Johnson said he plans to work on his leadership this summer before returning for his senior season with the Cougars next fall. And his coach says the best is still to come. "He's not even close to being the finished product," Flowers said. "There's so much room for him to grow and I think that's what Louisville sees in him. The ceiling is so high." Video Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas. Edited November 9, 2017 by kwc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 Cordarrian Richardson leaving UCF for Texas A&M John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 9:13 p.m. CT Jan. 18, 2018 | Updated 10:59 p.m. CT Jan. 18, 2018 (Photo: Nikki Boertman, The Commercial Appeal) Former Trezevant football star Cordarrian Richardson confirmed to USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee Thursday that he is leaving Central Florida and intends to transfer to Texas A&M. Richardson played in eight games as a true freshman for UCF, rushing for 161 yards on 47 carries and scoring twice as the Knights finished 13-0 and won the AAC championship before defeating Auburn in the Peach Bowl. While at Trezevant, he led the Bears to back-to-back Class 2A state championships in 2015 and 2016. Richardson ran for 342 yards in the BlueCross Bowl game victory over Marion County in 2015 and was named Mr. Football as a senior after rushing for 1,761 yards and scoring 12 times. Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 Memphis high school football signing day list The Commercial AppealPublished 11:10 a.m. CT Dec. 20, 2017 (Photo: Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal) Here's the list of Memphis-area football players who signed with FBS schools on Wednesday. 1) Jeremy Banks, RB, Cordova, Tennessee 2) Micah Breckenridge, K, White Station, Richmond 3) Jerome Carvin, OL, Cordova, Tennessee 4) Jordan Davis, DL, Southwind, Alabama 5) Jacolby Hewitt, WR, Cordova, Indiana 6) Cam Jones, OLB, St. Benedict, Indiana 7) Devon Robinson, DL, Whitehaven, Mississippi State 8) Kundarrius Taylor, WR, Ridgeway, Oklahoma 9) Jaylin Williams, WR/DB, Germantown, Indiana Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted February 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) On 1/23/2018 at 0:02 PM, kwc said: Memphis high school football signing day list The Commercial AppealPublished 11:10 a.m. CT Dec. 20, 2017 (Photo: Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal) Here's the list of Memphis-area football players who signed with FBS schools on Wednesday. 1) Jeremy Banks, RB, Cordova, Tennessee 2) Micah Breckenridge, K, White Station, Richmond 3) Jerome Carvin, OL, Cordova, Tennessee 4) Jordan Davis, DL, Southwind, Alabama 5) Jacolby Hewitt, WR, Cordova, Indiana 6) Cam Jones, OLB, St. Benedict, Indiana 7) Devon Robinson, DL, Whitehaven, Mississippi State 8) Kundarrius Taylor, WR, Ridgeway, Oklahoma 9) Jaylin Williams, WR/DB, Germantown, Indiana Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas. Memphis-area high school football signing day list (February 7, 2018) John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 4:06 p.m. CT Feb. 7, 2018 | Updated 7:26 p.m. CT Feb. 7, 2018 Here's a list of Memphis-area high school football players who signed national letters of intent to play college football Wednesday, as reported to The Commercial Appeal. For updates, please e-mail John.Varlas@commercialappeal.com or Tweet @johnvarlas. Briarcrest 10) Tyler Badie, Missouri 11) Luke Coleman, Navy Brighton 12) Aaron Alston, Southeast Missouri State 13) Spencer Cartwright, Southeast Missouri State 14) Cameron John, Southeast Missouri State 15) Jordan John, Southeast Missouri State CBHS 16) Dominick Garrett, Eastern Kentucky 17) Patrick Healy, Harding University 18) Ryan Winkel, Arkansas Central 19) Rashaad Clayton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20) Jaylen Pearson, Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC 21) Christian Robinson, Missouri S&T Cordova 22) Christian Arrambide, Bethel Douglass 23) Niko Cooper, Hutchinson (Kan.) CC East 24) William Bradley, Mississippi Valley State FACS 25) Jack Grissom, Mississippi College 26) Joe Thaxton, Mount St. Joseph's 27) Johnny Westbrook, Livingston College Germantown 28) Tyler Boyd, Henderson State 29) Lemarkus Dotson, Independence (Kan.) CC 30) Micah Mack, Delta State 31) Max Martini, Independence (Kan.) CC 32) Reggie Sanders, Tabor College Harding 33) Will Lawrence, Memphis Hernando 34) Jon Burt, Northwest Mississippi JC 35) Tucker Garrison, Delta State 36) Caimon Nettles, Delta State Hillcrest 37) Javonte Garrett, Northern Colorado 38) Jaylyn Rogers, Northern Colorado 39) Kristoff Smith, Lakleland 40) Paul Todd, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Kirby 41) Tommy Fonda, Lane College Lausanne 42) Josh Crawford, Prairie View 43) Jalen Edwards, Culver-Stockton College 44) Corteze Love, Memphis 45) Nyle Love, Memphis 46) Parker Pulliam, Tennessee-Martin 47) Dedric Turner, Millikin MAHS 48) Caleb Johnson, Mississippi Valley State 49) Justin Payne, Langston 50) Deion Sims, Millikin 51) Donterrius Steward, Mount Union Mitchell 52) Parron Hooker, Nassau CC 53) Terrance Neal, Independence CC Middle College 54) Kenneth Richmond, Missouri S&T 55) Rashad Robinson, Missouri S&T Munford 56) Will Hankins, South Alabama Olive Branch 57) Jaylon Gale, Itawamba (Miss.) JC 58) Fabian Lovett, Mississippi State 59) Jaylon Reed, Mississippi State Southwind 60) Jaylon Alexander, Itawamba (Miss.) JC 61) Tokaloh Moore, Highland CC 62) Donterrio Smith, Tabor College 63) Cortarius Wilson, Coffeyville (Kan.) JC St. Benedict 64) Jaylen Becton, Ellsworth (Iowa) CC 65) Eric McGlown, Avila St. George's 66) Brian Payne, Carson-Newman White Station 67) Cincir Evans, Coastal Carolina 68) Xavier Robertson, Henderson State Whitehaven 69) Ricardo Clark, Thomas More 70) Eddie Gatewood, Arkansas Baptist 71) Kevin Gee, Lane 72) William Jackson, Missouri Baptist 73) James Jones, Lane 74) Keyshaun Lewis, Carson-Newman 75) Jarius Macklin, Millikin 76) Joseph Pegues, Southwestern CC 77) Jaylon Sanders, Hutchison CC 78) Marquis Traylor, Tennessee-Martin 79) Rayshad Williams, UCLA 80) Chris Witherspoon, Bethel Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas With the final signing date being April 1, 2018. I wonder how many more young men will sign schollys before then? 80 isn't a bad number at all. It's good to see so many get a chance to play on Saturdays ... regardless of the level. Most importantly ... chances to get college degrees. Edited February 9, 2018 by kwc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) Add White Station's Greg 'Butta' Williams to the list, He signed to play at the University of Memphis. See image below from his twitter page. Edited April 3, 2018 by kwc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 Add CBHS's Nick Cantu to the list as well. CBHS lineman Nic Cantu heading to Ole Miss John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 11:00 p.m. CT April 2, 2018 | Updated 8:56 a.m. CT April 3, 2018 Nic Cantu first saw the passion of Ole Miss football as a young boy. Now that he's a young man, he'll get to be part of it. Cantu — the standout class of 2018 offensive lineman at CBHS — announced via Twitter Sunday that he'll be playing his college football for the Rebels, the same school where his father Herkey played in the early 1990s. In a heartfelt post that accompanied his announcement, Cantu said it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Nic Cantu@Nic_Cantu 100% committed 2:21 PM - Apr 1, 2018 724 134 people are talking about this "I fell in love with football when I was 9 years old," he posted. "It was the first time I saw Ole Miss beat LSU. I remember how happy my father was ... (and) I remember thinking, 'why is he so happy?' "Then it struck me; it was his passion for football. His passion for the game really hit me and made me always want to be passionate for football." The 6-5, 307-pounder was instrumental in CBHS' success last season as the Brothers won their first 11 games before losing 14-7 to Montgomery Bell Academy in the Division II-AAA semifinals. He joins fellow senior Ryan Winkel — who signed with Arkansas in February — as Brothers' linemen who will play in the SEC next year. According to 24/7 Sports, Cantu had offers from Southeast Missouri State and Western Illinois along with interest from Illinois State, Memphis and Southern Miss. Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) On 1/23/2018 at 0:02 PM, kwc said: Memphis high school football signing day list The Commercial AppealPublished 11:10 a.m. CT Dec. 20, 2017 (Photo: Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal) Here's the list of Memphis-area football players who signed with FBS schools on Wednesday. 1) Jeremy Banks, RB, Cordova, Tennessee 2) Micah Breckenridge, K, White Station, Richmond 3) Jerome Carvin, OL, Cordova, Tennessee 4) Jordan Davis, DL, Southwind, Alabama 5) Jacolby Hewitt, WR, Cordova, Indiana 6) Cam Jones, OLB, St. Benedict, Indiana 7) Devon Robinson, DL, Whitehaven, Mississippi State 8) Kundarrius Taylor, WR, Ridgeway, Oklahoma 9) Jaylin Williams, WR/DB, Germantown, Indiana Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas. Memphis-area high school football signing day list (February 7, 2018) John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 4:06 p.m. CT Feb. 7, 2018 | Updated 7:26 p.m. CT Feb. 7, 2018 Here's a list of Memphis-area high school football players who signed national letters of intent to play college football Wednesday, as reported to The Commercial Appeal. For updates, please e-mail John.Varlas@commercialappeal.com or Tweet @johnvarlas. Briarcrest 10) Tyler Badie, Missouri 11) Luke Coleman, Navy Brighton 12) Aaron Alston, Southeast Missouri State 13) Spencer Cartwright, Southeast Missouri State 14) Cameron John, Southeast Missouri State 15) Jordan John, Southeast Missouri State CBHS 16) Dominick Garrett, Eastern Kentucky 17) Patrick Healy, Harding University 18) Ryan Winkel, Arkansas Central 19) Rashaad Clayton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20) Jaylen Pearson, Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC 21) Christian Robinson, Missouri S&T Cordova 22) Christian Arrambide, Bethel Douglass 23) Niko Cooper, Hutchinson (Kan.) CC East 24) William Bradley, Mississippi Valley State FACS 25) Jack Grissom, Mississippi College 26) Joe Thaxton, Mount St. Joseph's 27) Johnny Westbrook, Livingston College Germantown 28) Tyler Boyd, Henderson State 29) Lemarkus Dotson, Independence (Kan.) CC 30) Micah Mack, Delta State 31) Max Martini, Independence (Kan.) CC 32) Reggie Sanders, Tabor College Harding 33) Will Lawrence, Memphis Hernando 34) Jon Burt, Northwest Mississippi JC 35) Tucker Garrison, Delta State 36) Caimon Nettles, Delta State Hillcrest 37) Javonte Garrett, Northern Colorado 38) Jaylyn Rogers, Northern Colorado 39) Kristoff Smith, Lakleland 40) Paul Todd, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Kirby 41) Tommy Fonda, Lane College Lausanne 42) Josh Crawford, Prairie View 43) Jalen Edwards, Culver-Stockton College 44) Corteze Love, Memphis 45) Nyle Love, Memphis 46) Parker Pulliam, Tennessee-Martin 47) Dedric Turner, Millikin MAHS 48) Caleb Johnson, Mississippi Valley State 49) Justin Payne, Langston 50) Deion Sims, Millikin 51) Donterrius Steward, Mount Union Mitchell 52) Parron Hooker, Nassau CC 53) Terrance Neal, Independence CC Middle College 54) Kenneth Richmond, Missouri S&T 55) Rashad Robinson, Missouri S&T Munford 56) Will Hankins, South Alabama Olive Branch 57) Jaylon Gale, Itawamba (Miss.) JC 58) Fabian Lovett, Mississippi State 59) Jaylon Reed, Mississippi State Southwind 60) Jaylon Alexander, Itawamba (Miss.) JC 61) Tokaloh Moore, Highland CC 62) Donterrio Smith, Tabor College 63) Cortarius Wilson, Coffeyville (Kan.) JC St. Benedict 64) Jaylen Becton, Ellsworth (Iowa) CC 65) Eric McGlown, Avila St. George's 66) Brian Payne, Carson-Newman White Station 67) Cincir Evans, Coastal Carolina 68) Xavier Robertson, Henderson State Whitehaven 69) Ricardo Clark, Thomas More 70) Eddie Gatewood, Arkansas Baptist 71) Kevin Gee, Lane 72) William Jackson, Missouri Baptist 73) James Jones, Lane 74) Keyshaun Lewis, Carson-Newman 75) Jarius Macklin, Millikin 76) Joseph Pegues, Southwestern CC 77) Jaylon Sanders, Hutchison CC 78) Marquis Traylor, Tennessee-Martin 79) Rayshad Williams, UCLA 80) Chris Witherspoon, Bethel Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas With the final signing date being April 1, 2018. I wonder how many more young men will sign schollys before then? 80 isn't a bad number at all. It's good to see so many get a chance to play on Saturdays ... regardless of the level. Most importantly ... chances to get college degrees. 81) Greg Williams (White Station) - Memphis (Walk-on) 82) Nic Cantu (CBHS) - Ole Miss 81) Garrett Sapp (White Station) - Memphis (Walk-on) (See article below) Edited April 3, 2018 by kwc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 Patience pays for White Station's Greg Williams joining Memphis Tigers football John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – TennesseePublished 10:00 a.m. CT April 1, 2018 (Photo: Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal) Good things come to those who wait. Greg "Butta" Williams did indeed have to wait but now he and the University of Memphis football team have a chance benefit from one another. Williams, who is a finalist for The Commercial Appeal Sports Awards offensive player of the year, announced this week that he is joining the Tigers as a preferred walk-on. He'll pay his own way for the first year with the hopes of earning a scholarship afterward based on his performance. His performance for White Station was stellar; Williams ran for 1,771 yards and 22 touchdowns, added another 380 yards receiving and returned a kickoff for a score as the Spartans advanced to the Class 6A semifinals despite winning just three times during the regular season. But Williams' case also highlights the vagaries of college football recruiting. Why would a player who proved himself time and again against the best large-school competition in the area and one with no grade or disciplinary issues still be on the market seven weeks after National Signing Day? Heck, the video from the second-round playoff game against undefeated Germantown alone would be worth a scholarship. Williams carried the ball 43 times for 165 yards and caught a 35-yard touchdown on fourth and 10 in the closing seconds as the Spartans advanced, 17-14. So what gives? "I think he had a knock on his size," said Spartans coach Joe Rocconi of the 5-10, 194-pounder. "Some people questioned his speed ... you know how it goes. He had three DI offers that dropped him in, like, the last two weeks. Of course I'm biased (but) I think he can play at any level. "You can't say he's unnoticed. And I think college coaches will tell you they miss on people all the time. You see walk-ons playing in the Super Bowl, All-Americans in college that had no offers. You can give a million examples. "But I tell you, he handled it a lot better than I would have. A lot better." Indeed, the recent success of former walk-on and soon-to-be NFL draft pick Anthony Miller played a key role in Williams' decision. As did his relationship with new Tigers assistant and former Cordova coach Anthony Jones. "He called me and texted almost every day," said Williams. And ultimately, it all worked out. Not that standing by and watching players he competed with and against sign full rides was easy. "I got frustrated at one point but I had to just sit back and think," he said. "I believe in God and things happen the way He wants them to happen ... I had a couple of (smaller) offers but I felt like Memphis was my best choice." Williams is the second Spartan to join the Tigers as a walk-on for next year, joining tight end Garrett Sapp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.