NSD 2020: Autauga Academy sends three to bayou

Scenes from Wednesday’s signing ceremony at Autauga Academy. (Photos by Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

PRATTVILLE -- Signing day at Autauga Academy provided an interesting moment as three seniors all signed with Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.

Dominique Webster, Tyreshon Freeman and Raymond Cutler were among five players at Wednesday’s signing ceremony in the school gym. All three, as it turned out, were heading in the same direction to play college football.

“I sent them film and asked them if they had needs,” Autauga Academy coach Bobby Carr said. “They called and said, ‘Coach, I cannot believe all three of these guys are still available.’ They were looking to sign two more DBs and another tight end, so I guess God works in mysterious ways.”

Webster, a three-year starter for the Generals at tight end, was a matchup nightmare for opposing teams this season and has drawn comparisons to another tight end who played at the school, Tampa Bay’s O.J. Howard.

“His football future, the sky is the limit for him as he continues to work and grow,” Carr said. 

Freeman, who transferred from Selma High this past season, played a variety of positions for the Generals but showed a lot of versatility later in the season as Carr allowed him to play some quarterback in addition to his normal role in the secondary.

“He played a lot of different positions for us this year, whether it was kick returner, defensive back, quarterback, receiver,” Carr said. “He had over 1,000 yards of offense for us and was second on the team in interceptions.”

Cutler, who transferred in two years ago from Billingsley, was one of the Generals’ primary big-play threats at receiver this year, but was recruited to play cornerback in college.

Carr called Cutler a “very dynamic player. He actually got recruited as a defensive back. That tells you what kind of athletic skills he’s got.”

Southeastern Louisiana head coach Frank Scelfo, now in his second year, said the addition of the three Autauga players, along with six others signed on Wednesday, gives the signing class some big-play potential.

"We needed to increase our depth, length and speed," Scelfo commented. "When we were in those two playoff games this past year, it was evident that we needed to make some strides from a physicality and athleticism standpoint. We believe we helped that issue in December and these nine young men we added today all fit the mold of what we're looking for."

In addition, Autauga tailback Tre Cutler, who Carr termed a “tremendous talent,” signed with Coffeyville Community College. In one of the more interesting signing day stories, Autauga offensive lineman Jalen Morrow received a scholarship offer late Wednesday morning from Arkansas Baptist College and the senior held up the ceremony for several minutes after having to go home to get a coat and tie for the ceremony.

“Jalen started at offensive guard the last few years and we moved him to left tackle this year,” Carr said. “He did a great job of anchoring the offensive line. I believe his best football is in front of him.”