By Kyle Parmley
CLAY — National Signing Day 2015 will go down as a banner day in the history of Clay-Chalkville High School. The Cougars watched 11 student-athletes, including seven football players, sign letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Held in the auditorium, head football coach Jerry Hood emceed the ceremony for the school’s athletes, allowing the kids’ specific coaches to say a few words before prompting them to put pen to paper with their signature.
Afterward, Hood was able to take a moment to reflect on his football signees, part of a class of seniors that brought the school its second state championship in 2014. Over the last three seasons, they led the Cougars to a record of 37-4.
VIDEO: Watch Jerry Hood talk about National Signing Day 2015.
“These guys are blessed with great athletic ability, and they have taken advantage of this situation,” Hood said. “They are going to go on and do great things with their life. I am super proud of them, and this is always a fun day.”
Defensive end Kendell Jones signed with Mississippi State, the top-ranked team in the country at one point last year. He struggled putting into words what the day meant to him.
“This is what you dream about. It’s just a great thing,” he said.
VIDEO: Watch Kendell Jones talk about signing with Mississippi State.
Hood believes the Bulldogs will ask him to gain some weight to be able to play some at the defensive tackle position along with his natural defensive end slot.
“Kendell has all the measurables,” Hood said. “He has the raw talent. I think he’s got a chance to be a great player.”
Undoubtedly the heart and soul of the Cougars’ championship team, running back Terelle West will play college football at Middle Tennessee. Despite tearing his ACL and MCL during the playoffs, the Blue Raiders never wavered on their scholarship offer.
“It’s very special because I know my mom doesn’t have to come out of her pocket to pay anything,” West said.
VIDEO: Watch Terelle West talk about signing with Middle Tennessee.
West doesn’t think being a college football player will truly sink in until the first day of classes in the fall, but his value went far beyond the field in his four years at Clay-Chalkville.
“Terelle is the most special kid that we have here for a whole bunch of different reasons, the least of which is what he did on the football field,” Hood said. “This is a great young man. I think he is going to set Middle Tennessee on fire.”
Kam Prewitt, cornerback and punt returner for the Cougars, will continue his career at Memphis. His best asset, according to Hood, is his wingspan. Despite being close to six-feet, his reach is nearly three inches longer than that.
VIDEO: Watch defensive coordinator Sean Talsma talk about Kam Prewitt.
“He’s very athletic. If you have ever watched him move around, he is very ‘rubbery.’ He’s a shutdown corner type of kid,” Hood said.
The fourth Football Bowl Subdivision prospect for the Cougars, LaDarius Harris, will move on to Southern Mississippi to play on the defensive line. The sky is the limit for the player that switched positions on the defense before finding his home.
VIDEO: Watch LaDarius Harris talk about signing with Southern Mississippi.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up in the NFL,” Hood said. “He has the skill set and the raw power to potentially play at that level.”
Two other defenders inked their letters to colleges Wednesday, as cornerback Izzy Bennett selected Tuskegee and safety Torrence Willis signed with West Alabama. Wide receiver Eric Blockum signed with Miles College.
This class doesn’t signal the end of Clay-Chalkville churning out football prospects, as junior quarterback Ty Pigrome and junior wide receiver T.J. Simmons look to sign with FBS schools as well. Both players received scholarship offers from Arkansas State shortly after the festivities concluded for the current seniors.
“We have been on the map long enough that schools see what caliber football player we are putting out,” Hood said. “Everybody is darkening the door of Clay-Chalkville right now, and that’s a good thing.”
A pair of baseball players signed as well, with pitcher Matthew Calvert choosing UAB and shortstop Tyler Duke heading to Lawson State Community College.
Calvert made a promise to his mother before she passed away that he would play college baseball, and he delivered on that promise with his signature.
“I can get a great education at UAB, and to play at a great program like them, it’s an honor,” he said. “I’m glad I can stay home and be with my son, and be the father that I need to be to him.”
Dalton O’Rear marks the second athlete in Clay-Chalkville history to accept a golf scholarship. He will attend Wallace State Community College. Ceara Gray signed with Baylor University, as she accepted an acrobatics and tumbling scholarship as a competitive cheerleader.