WEST POINT — Wednesday was a big day for the Class 5A champs.
The West Point High School football program saw nine players from its 2010 Mississippi High School Activities Association state championship team sign to play football in college level. The signings included three to Division I schools.
“It”s an eye-opener for not only us as coaches but the students as a whole and the (players) coming back next year to see these guys able to continue their careers not only athletically but academically,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said.
As expected, quarterback Justin Cox signed with Mississippi State. It is believed he will intercept passes rather than complete them as a member of the Bulldogs” secondary. His decision to go to MSU will reunite him with former West Point High teammate Michael Carr, who was a freshman wide receiver at the school this season.
Although no other schools were really in the running for Cox, he expressed relief to have the signing behind him.
“I”m excited because it”s close to home,” Cox said. “I got a lot off my chest now. I”m glad I made the commitment.”
Defensive end Vontarius Dora was less certain prior to signing his letter of commitment to Louisiana Tech University. When Chambless called Dora to the signing table, Dora spread his choices in front of him and had to be skipped as he pored over the letters.
“I had made up my mind last night, but when I got here I was nervous and thinking about where I”ve been,” he said.
He decided to go with Louisiana Tech because the school continued to recruit him despite his undergoing shoulder surgery in May.
Defensive lineman and running back Tommy Keys chose to walk on at the University of Alabama, where he expects to play special teams.
“They were out of scholarships, but there”s a good chance I”ll be on one my second year,” Keys said.
Other West Point players signing Wednesday included: Michael Bush (Northeast Mississippi Community College), Deismon Robinson (East Mississippi C.C.), Willie Swift (Itawamba Community College), Jamarius Tallie (NEMCC), Lakenderick Thomas (EMCC), and Li”eric Walker (EMCC).
Justin Bobo is expected to make a singing choice in the near future.
Chambless couldn”t recall a bigger signing class during his time at West Point. He said witnessing senior teammates sign letters of intent serves as motivation for younger players to work toward the next level than anything the coaching staff can say.
“Other players see that and see it can be done, so that”s what they strive to do,” Chambless said.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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