NSD 2020: Carver's Robinson leads solid River Region recruiting class

By GRAHAM DUNN

James Robinson was sporting his new colors during G.W. Carver’s signing ceremony on Wednesday.

Asked if he looked good in Tennessee orange, he gave the perfect answer.

“I look good in any color.”

Robinson was part of the tradition of Carver football becoming another in a long line of players to sign with an SEC school. His signature came back in December during he early period. But he wanted to celebrate with his teammates as part of National Signing Day.

“I wanted to be with my brothers,” he said. “We’ve been together through a lot and this was something I planned even when I signed back in December.”

A total of seven players from the school either signed or intend to sign a letter of intent, part of another banner day in the River Region with recruits moving to the next level.

“It’s always a special day, maybe my favorite day of the year,” Carver coach James Thompson said. “They have worked very hard to get here and this is another payoff for them to get the chance to continue their education and their opportunity to play the game they love.”

Other players to sign from Carver included quarterback Kole Williams, who chose Alcorn State, Kendamon Smith, who will play at Huntingdon along with teammate Cortavious Smith. Broderick Howard will play with Rochester Junior College in Minnesota.

“They made me feel right at home,” Williams said regarding his choice of the Braves. “All of the players there made me feel comfortable. I knew pretty quickly that’s where I wanted to be.”

At Sidney Lanier, two players announced their intentions to play college football. Running back Alazavia Berry will play at Birmingham Sports Academy while Chris Armstrong chose to stay close to home and will play at Faulkner.

“It’s always tough to lose guys who have meant so much to your program,” stated Lanier coach Marvin Cunningham. “We were blessed to have 13 seniors this year and several more besides these two will sign later on.

“This has been a great group of seniors. I am so proud of what they have accomplished. They’ve done a lot despite fighting through so many hardships. They will do well whatever they decide to do.”

Robert E. Lee also had several players sign letters of intent including Deyunkrea Lewis, who signed with Troy. Wideout Jamari Smith signed with UAB while quarterback TJ Franklin signed with Bethune Cookman.  Defensive back Kendrick Simmons signed with Western Kentucky and offensive lineman Keaundra Salter signed with Alabama State.

Coach Tim Perry and Wetumpka announced one signing. Tyquan Rawls decided to sign with Jones County Community College in Ellisville, Miss. Rawls had other offers including UAB, Troy and Liberty among others.

Eight players from Prattville High School signed scholarships including Kyle Kramer with West Alabama, Kendrick Rogers with Marshall, Carter Barnes with Huntingdon, Mason Taylor with Coffeyville Community College, Brodarius Lewis with Jones Junior College, Ethan Bittle with Ft. Scott Community College and Wade White with Ithaca College. Tight end Taylor Thompson signed with UNC-Charlotte in December.

Prattville Christian’s Jake Bius signed a letter of intent with Stetson, just the second player in the program’s history to sign with a Division I school.