WEST POINT — West Point baseball has been a hotbed of college talent in recent years, very much a pipeline for players to continue their careers at the next level.
Friday afternoon saw part of that next class of players officially take the jump as seniors Jaylen Davis and Elijah Young signed their National Letters of Intent as part of Fall Signing Day.
Second-year head coach Mitch Bohon already saw a number of seniors last year receive offers to play college and junior college baseball and this just continues the trend for the Green Wave.
“I’m stoked for them because they’ve both worked really hard,” Bohon said. “Both of them have committed to the process of getting better every day and they’re a testament to what hard work does.”
Davis has been a rock in the middle infield for West Point in recent years, and that’s exactly where he’ll be making an impact in college, signing to play for Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama — a historically black college playing in the SSAC.
The Tigers have seen their fair share of struggles in recent years, but Davis looks to bring stability in the middle infield and speed to the lineup.
“I talked it over with my family and I felt like it was the best decision to go to an HBCU,” Davis said. “After touring the school, talking with coaches and future teammates, it just felt like home.”
While Davis has been patrolling the infield for the Green Wave, Young has been getting things done on the mound and at the plate, taking up a two-way role a la Shohei Ohtani.
Young will be continuing his playing career right down Highway 45 in Scooba, playing at East Mississippi Community College.
“I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to further my career in Scooba,” Young said. “They have a great pitching coach, a great baseball team, and I just feel like it was a great fit for me.”
Fall Signing Day is a day to celebrate athletes who will be continuing their athletics careers, but also a day that for the athletes themselves, is a time of relief.
High school, especially as a junior and senior, can be stressful as college applications are sent and college decisions are made.
To have the decision part done and out of the way heading into senior year is a big load taken off the shoulders of anyone.
“It’s a big relief, honestly,” Young said. “There’s a lot of pressure off my back of what college I want to go to now that I’ve signed. I’m just looking forward to a great senior year.”
As Davis and Young celebrated with family, friends, teammates and coaches on Friday, the biggest takeaway was just how important this West Point community has been for them.
Through the highs and lows, both have put it out on the line for the Green Wave to represent the name on the front of their jerseys and the initials on their hats.
It’s helped to push them to this point and will continue to push others waiting in the wings for their shot.
“My teammates have something to look on and strive for,” Davis said. “It gives them motivation to push hard and continue to be great.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion