National Early Signing Day 2024 in Middle Georgia

Here is a recap of all the student athletes that signed their letter of intent to play collegiate football next season on Wednesday

MIDDLE GEORGIA – (41NBC/WMGT) – Wednesday marked the start of the national signing day period for high school football commitments around the country. In middle Georgia, there were a total of eleven players signing their letters of intent.

In Houston County Wednesday morning, four boys from Highway 96 committed to their respective schools. First up, it was all-star four star commit QB Antwaan Hill Jr, the man who beat Jake Fromm’s school career passing touchdown record this season, putting pen to pad to commit to the University of Memphis. While his teammate, three star Runningback Amir Thomas will be joining him next season on the Tigers. Four star commit, and Bears Wide Receiver, Isaiah ‘Bull’ Mitchell just flipped last week from the University of Cincinnati, and has signed to play with the Bulldogs at Mississippi State next season. The big man up front. four star commit Peyton Joseph, will be taking his talents to Georgia Tech to play on the offensive line of the Yellow Jackets.

Here’s what each of them had to say about their future that lies ahead.

“I’m just really proud of all four of us. Really just a long journey, high school went by quick, I mean, it came quicker than I thought it was, in the blink of an eye, so me and my boys we just ready to show out at our schools, and just make our family proud” said Hill Jr. “Really just a great opportunity to try and start as a freshman and everything. I feel like I walked into a great situation. To all the young kids that are getting recruited I would say take your time and enjoy it because when its over, its over. I mean of course I miss going to the games and stuff. I mean, you’re locked in now so. I’m a Memphis Tiger, and I’m ready to work.”

Hill went on to speak about having a teammate join him for the ride. “Just to have someone up there that I really know, especially my teammate up there, it’s going to be a quick transition and I feel like me and him are going to catch on to the playbook so, we can both hit the field at the same time.”

“To go far away, and to have somebody with you, it copes with it, you know what I’m saying?” said Thomas Wednesday. “It’s extraordinary man. It’s like a once in a lifetime moment. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was little. So, to actually accomplish it, its amazing.”

“This is a big moment. Big moment. Great moment. {Feeling} good, wonderful, ready to get there” said Mitchell. “I think I’m going to develop a lot. I got Ricky up there. Me and him get work on the off season late night, anytime of the day.”

“Past football, I can do anything with a Tech degree. So hey, why not? That’s why I really chose tech, for the opportunities” said Joseph. “I’m feeling great to be committed to Georgia Tech. Going to do big dreams. I’m going for All-American. I want to thank everyone at Houston County high school. Everything, the work they put in with me, everything, but I’m feeling great. 404 Sting ‘Em. Yes sir.”

At Warner Robins high school, Demon Senior and Five star commit Isaiah Gibson put pen to paper in front of family, friends, teammates, and coaches to officially commit to the University of Georgia. The number one ranked Edge Rusher in the state chose the Dawgs out of the 52 FBS offers he received, to join Kirby Smart in Athens next season, where he will major in business.

Gibson chose the UGA because of the passion the Dawgs bring every Saturday, stating he has never missed a home game and is excited to get to work in a new culture that’s close to home.

“The culture in the program is what really got me to make this decision” said Gibson. “I feel like it’s a decision you can’t beat. In my opinion, Georgia is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be apart of so, I feel like that’s the best decision for me. Being able to come back home when I have time to and not having to rush a flight, or worry about that, I can always drive home when I want to, when I’m available. Always being around family and friends, I feel like that was, in my opinion, the biggest part of why I made my decision. The relationship I have at Georgia, I don’t have anywhere else.”

Over in Perry, two four star commits sealed their collegiate future Wednesday afternoon. Panthers Linebacker Jordan Donald and Wide Receiver Kory Pettigrew signed their letter of intent in front of a huge crowd of friends and family. Donald will commit to Western Kentucky next season, while his teammate, Pettigrew will be making the trip to the sunshine state to play for the Bulls of South Florida. Both student athletes shared their excitement for this moment and what lies ahead in their future.

“Really, it’s just like a surreal feeling. I mean, I’m real proud of myself, and I appreciate everybody who poured into me, and I want to thank God, and everybody who put me in a position to sign today” said Donald. “It’s a business trip. I’m trying to get on the field as fast as I can, make as many plays as I can, play to the best of my ability.”

“I feel pretty good. I’m excited for the future, and it was a good season, but I’m ready to get to work. I am shooting for the NFL, that’s always the goal, you know, trying to be the best at what I do.”

In Eastman, Dodge County Senior and five star commit Darrell ‘Duke’ Johnson signed his letter of intent to play for the University of Alabama next season. The Indians Linebacker was a big part of the Dodge County turnaround, as they say “flip the script”, going from nine losses last year, to nine wins this season. Besides the incredible linebacker stats of his senior season, ‘Duke’ got over 1000 yards rushing with 28 touchdowns on the ground. The Crimson Tide commit plans on majoring in sports management to be a coach one day, if he doesn’t make it to the NFL of course.

“It means a lot to me. The inner childhood in me is just like so amazed. I can cry right now” said Duke Wednesday afternoon. Seeing my family proud, my friends supporting me and everything. When I was a little kid, I always said I wanted to play for the University of Alabama and I actually did it. It’s set in stone now. The hard work and everything finally paying off, but you got to continue to work hard also. The people there, how they treat me and my family, their scheme, their defense is like fast and physical. Then, Dodge County is the same way, fast and physical, so it just means a lot. The coaching staff, the playing style, everything was there.”

In Gray Wednesday afternoon, it was an all Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) day for the Greyhounds. Three Jones County Seniors signed to play collegiate ball. Greyhounds Wide Receiver Jaivon Solomon will play next season at Duke University. Jones County Safety Javion Butts signed to play 10 miles down Tobacco Road from his teammate at the Blue Devils rival, the University of North Carolina. Greyhounds Linebacker Zacari Thomas will head north to play ball at Boston College.