NSD 2022: Autauga Academy sends eight to next level
Seniors from Autauga Academy made their next destinations known during a special signing ceremony on Wednesday. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
PRATTVILLE - Eight players from 2021 state champion Autauga Academy signed the paperwork on Wednesday to continue playing football collegiately, including two players at Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals Grambling State and Southern.
“It’s a great day for Autauga,” head coach Bobby Carr said. “I’m super proud of them. We always tell kids we’re going to help you get your film out to collegiate coaches, but it’s up to you as a player to get that scholarship, not just on the field but in the classroom as well.”
Three players -- quarterback Robert Rose, receiver James Wright and lineman Bobby Mitchell -- signed with Florida Memorial University, an NAIA and HBCU program just southwest of the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
“That was the first team that really took a chance on me and offered me as soon as the season started,” Rose said. “I was talking to them, telling them I’ve got what it takes to be a great quarterback. My teammates going down there really bought me in, saying they wanted me, and it brought me to where I wanted to be.”
Carr said the school was a good fit for anyone looking for early playing time.
“A couple of them took the trip to Miami Gardens and they really liked it,” Carr said. “Miami sells itself. I think it’s a fairly new program that’s been playing two years now, so it’ll give them an opportunity to play early.”
The highlight of the signing day was the signing of tailback Karl Ligon by Southern University and lineman Mel Capurs to Grambling State.
“Karl had a number of offers, 12 or 13 Division I-A offers, and he just felt at home at Southern University,” Carr said. “He wanted to play at an HBCU so it was down to Southern and Grambling and he really like the atmosphere at Southern.
“Mel originally committed to Tennessee State and Hue Jackson was at Tennessee State but took the head coaching job at Grambling. And when he did, Mel really like Hue and the relationship they had.
Jackson, who coached for 18 years in the National Football League before serving a year as offensive coordinator at Tennessee State, took the job as Grambling’s head coach in mid-December. On Wednesday, Capurs became part of a school-record 36 signees.
For Ligon, the former Carver High tailback said he felt more comfortable at Southern.
“The main reason is I went on a visit to Southern, and it was short notice, and when I went there it was all love from the beginning to the end,” Ligon said. “At Southern, it’s all about family and I know they’re going to lead me on the right track. Coach (Eric) Dooley is a great guy.
“I always wanted to go to an HBCU. To be able to go to an HBCU and chase my dream at the same time, it’s just a blessing.”
In addition, lineman O’Ronde Henderson signed with Virginia State, a highly successful Division II program coached by Reggie Barlow; Pharrell Banks, who signed with Faulkner; and Caden Henry, who accepted an offer to play at Huntingdon College.