Three Patriot players sign letters of intent
LINDEN — Three members of the Linden High Class of 2013 signed national letters of intent Wednesday morning, cementing their collegiate football opportunities at three Alabama schools.
Tyler Davis inked his intent to continue his playing career at Alabama A&M. The 6-2, 325-pound offensive lineman passed up offers from Miles, Faulkner, Stillman, Alabama State, Huntingdon and Mississippi College to go to a place of which he says he has always been fond.
“I like the program,” Davis, who explained A&M intends to use him as a guard, said. “I really always wanted to be a Bulldog to tell the truth.”
Davis earned West Alabama Watchman All-County Team honors in 2012 and Honorable Mention All-State nods in 2011 and 2012.
Linden running back Marquise Shelton signed a scholarship offer from Stillman College. Shelton finished his senior year with 1,381 yards and 13 touchdowns in just 10 games for the Patriots. He earned West Alabama Watchman All-County Team honors as a senior and Honorable Mention All-State as a junior.
His Stillman commitment came at the expense of offers from Miles, Huntingdon and Faulkner.
“I like the program they have and it’s just close to home,” Shelton said. “I just need to work hard and keep doing what I’m doing so I can stay in shape and get better.”
Anthony Robinson Jr., who shined at three positions during his four-year high school career, opted to continue his playing days at the University of West Alabama where he will be utilized as a cornerback.
Robinson, who also played quarterback for four years and safety for two years, earned Honorable Mention All-State honors as a freshman before garnering First Team recognition the next three years. The Class 1A Back of the Year runner-up as a junior, Robinson returned in 2012 to lead his team in tackles and interceptions while tallying almost 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball and returning two punts for scores on special teams.
Robinson’s efforts also earned him the West Alabama Watchman Player of the Year Award in 2012.
He selected UWA over Valdosta State, Miles, Stillman and Faulkner.
“For one, it was close to home,” Robinson said of his decision. “Just the atmosphere and the UWA staff has good relationships with the players on and off the field. Most importantly, they feed on you getting your degree and making you finish school.”
The trio of signees brings the tally to 17 Linden Patriot players who have gone on to play college football in the six years that Andro Williams has been at the helm of the program. For the Class 1A program that is a product of the smallest school system in the state, National Signing Day has become an annual celebration.
“You want to succeed where your kids have an opportunity to go onto the next level and continue their playing time,” Williams said. “The main thing is giving them an opportunity to be exposed here in Linden not only athletically, but academically, to show they can succeed at the next level. You try to see them grow as individuals to get better at handling the things they encounter over the course of their high school careers. You want to help them to become productive citizens.”