Early National Signing Day Includes Local Talent
MADISON- The Early National Signing Day came with a burst of talent in the Madison area as five players signed national letters of intent to play college football.
At Bob Jones, Jaydon Hill signed a scholarship with the Florida Gators. Across the confines of the City of Madison at James Clemens, three players made their choices of college known as Daevion Davis and Jamil Muhammad signed with Vanderbilt University while their teammate Zach Hopkins agreed to sign with Mercer University of Macon, Georgia. Sparkman had one player sign his scholarship papers as Dell Pettus put his name in ink with an offer from Troy University.
Zach Hopkins- Mercer University
For Hopkins, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker chose the Bears, which is a NCAA Div. I school that participates in the Southern Conference. He carries a 3.5 grade point average, is a starting outfielder for the Jets’ baseball team, and wants to study business and possibly merge into business with his family owned business Roosters Restaurant in Athens.
“I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do about which school to choose as I also had offers from Jacksonville State, Furman and Eastern Kentucky,” said Hopkins. “But when I visited Mercer it was like a big family and the academics are outstanding.”
The son of Mark and Dawn Hopkins began playing football in the Madison Pop Warner program at age eight. He soon realized he was good at both baseball and football and saw the extra points of talents as a linebacker.
Jamil Muhammad- Vanderbilt
After missing all of the 2017 season due to an ACL tear during summer workouts, Jamil Muhammad came back in his senior season to lead the James Clemens Jets to the best season in school history. The Jets not only won its first region championship, but also beat its cross-town rival Bob Jones for the first time.
For Muhammad, an early commit to Vanderbilt, the 6-2, 217-pound quarterback is looking forward to his jump to the Southeastern Conference where he wants to continue his quest to be the best signal caller he can be and earn a degree in business and finance as he currently has a 3.75 grade point average.
“I feel it is a great fit for me as a person and student-athlete as the school has a great athletic and academic atmosphere,” said Muhammad.
He will join his James Clemens teammate Daevion Davis at Vanderbilt as both signed with the Commodores and will continue their teammate-friendship they’ve experience since middle school.
Jaydon Hill- Florida
Regarded as the top football recruit in North Alabama, Hill (6-foot, 172) is being looked at as a possible quick insertion into the Florida Gators’ defense at cornerback. Despite missing most of his senior season due to a knee injury suffered in the Patriots’ contest versus Florence and subsequent surgery, he remained a top prospect and a key recruit for the SEC school.
Hill’s decision came down to the Gators, South Carolina and Tennessee, but he felt as though he was at home when his visited the Florida campus located in Gainesville
Daevion Davis- Vanderbilt
Early National Signing Day concluded a busy week for Daevion Davis as the 6-1, 305 defensive lineman played in the 33rd annual Alabama-Mississippi Classic in Montgomery where the visiting squad from Mississippi pulled off a 24-20 victory over the all-stars from Alabama. The game came just two days before Davis signed his scholarship with Vanderbilt.
The three-year starter for the Jets verbally committed to the Commodores’ program early on and stuck with his intentions to play for the Southeastern Conference School located in Nashville, Tenn.
His plans are to earn a degree in medicine.
Dell Pettus- Troy University
“I’ve put in the work since I was a child and I feel this is just another step God has put me on in this path of life,” said Dell Pettus who signed with Troy University. “But, I’m not finished yet.”
The 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back for the Sparkman Senators worked his way through the Senators’ disappointing 4-6 season in 2018 as he recorded 34 solo tackles, had 23 assists and grabbed four interceptions. He said the coaching staff at Troy indicated he could play any of the positions in the secondary and with a couple vacancies expected next fall, Pettus feels confident he may get some early playing time.
“I’ve enjoyed the coaching staff, campus and the athletic facilities at Troy and it was the best fit for me as an athlete and my education in business,” added Pettus.
The son of Glenn and Tamara Pettus, the two-sport athlete who also runs track at Sparkman and who’s younger brother, Michael, is a sophomore on the Sparkman football team, said his choice of Troy came down to the Trojans along with Middle Tennessee State University and Memphis.
Pettus has been earning his education at Sparkman where he has a 3.8 grade point average. He’s also been working during December as a part-time employee for UPS where he assists drivers deliver packages during the holiday peak season.
“I’m happy to have signed and feel blessed to what has happened to me and I look forward to what will happen,” said Pettus.
