By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
CLAY – The 6A State Champion Clay-Chalkville Cougars had five players sign on “Early Signing Day” on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Signees included Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas), Mario Craver (Mississippi State), DJ Barber (Auburn), Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama), and Jac’Qawn “Shaq” McRoy who made his choice a bit more dramatic, hurling a Colorado hat into the crowd and sticking with his original choice, the Oregon Ducks.
It is well documented that the Cougars had quite the 2023 season and the payoff comes on days like today when parents, fans, friends and community came out to Clay-Chalkville High School to watch five of their beloved players sign to play at the next level. Even more impressive, all five of them will graduate early and be able to enroll at their universities in the next few weeks with a few already enrolled.
The day started with coach Drew Gilmer addressing the crowd and speaking of each player individually before showing a short video package on each of them as well. After that, it was opened up to everyone for pictures and interviews. It was quite the day for these young men and their school and community.
Pinson Valley transfer Tevis Metcalf got things started as Coach Gilmer said the following about him. “Tevis came to us at the end of last year. He works his butt off and does anything you ask him to do. He’s a phenomenal player. He got injured early but we got him back and he had a phenomenal playoff run and helped us win a state championship.”
Metcalf, who was also presented with a jersey from the Army All-Star game that he played in this past week, said, “The transition from Pinson to here was interesting because of the rivalry between Clay and Pinson. I had to solidify myself in the spring and it was good to get around people who know me a little bit. It was good to be around folks who wanted to work with me. I chose Arkansas because of the fans and the area. I love Fayetteville. There is a lot of opportunity for after football.”
Next up was Mario Craver who garnered praise from Gilmer. “He has been a player that has been here since middle school and came to us as a talented freshman. We have butted heads some because we are competitors. He is dynamic every time he touches the football. When he touches it, you have to watch out. When we played Mountain Brook two years ago, we weren’t moving the ball and he told me to put it in his hands. We ran a little screen to Mario and he took it like 60 yards to set up a touchdown. That’s just the type of player he is. He’s a great young man who is going to graduate early.”
Craver said, “It feels great to get this process over with. I’m ready to go to work. I picked Mississippi State because of the situation with me and Coach Lebby and the relationship with coach Bump. He recruited me when he was at Utah and has recruited me since I have been able to be recruited. I just felt that relationship. I think I will strive in that offense.”
Jaylen Mbakwe was the next player introduced and Gilmer had the following to say about his quarterback. “Wow! What do you say other than wow! Jaylen is one of those kids that grew up in our system. Phenomenal football player. The one thing I look back on and remember him for is being selfless. He is willing to do whatever it takes for his team to be successful. It’s not all of the plays. That’s great and wonderful. This kid makes you better just by walking through the door. He’s just a great kid.”
The Bama commit said, “It’s great. I’m just ready to get to work and show off my talents as a freshman and just get to work. I picked Bama because of Coach Saban and being around the team. It was a no-brainer. It’s a family atmosphere where they love each other and it was just a no-brainer.”
Auburn Commit DJ Barber was next in the spotlight with very high praise from his coach. “I told people before, if my son grows up to be like him, I will be a happy father. He is soft spoken but when he speaks, you listen. You don’t get guys like him anymore. He’s humble, quiet, a hard worker. I remember this kid would be the last one to leave every day. I would come to the locker room and he would be sweeping the floor or taking out trash and doing the stuff no one else wanted to do. Then, what a stop against Saraland in the championship game. Their quarterback got loose and we were all scared and then you see number six get the stop.”
Barber said, “It feels good to know that I’m blessed to be in a position to go play football and further my academic and athletic career at a good university like Auburn. I chose Auburn because they made me feel at home. They made me feel like a priority from day one. There was constant communication and a relationship there.”
McRoy made a bit more of a splash on signing day as he had been a solid Oregon commitment for quite some time but a last-minute visit to Colorado caused some uncertainty and when Shaq came to the table today, there were two hats sitting there and a crowd full of people sitting on pins and needles awaiting the decision from the big man. McRoy began to speak and quickly picked up the Colorado hat, acted like he was going to put it on and then threw it aside and placed the bright green Oregon hat on his head to make it official that he was an Oregon Duck.
Gilmer said of McRoy, “The first time he walked through my door, he had to duck to get in. I heard a coach say that God doesn’t make kids like this every day. He’s a great young man. He has an electric personality. He always has a smile and cuts up and he is just a big kid. He has worked his tail off.”
JacQawn said, “It feels amazing to finally get recruiting over with. Now I can just focus on getting my degree and getting to the NFL. Oregon was always my dream school as a little kid and being able to have an opportunity to go there. I couldn’t refuse it.”
Gilmer summed the day up like this. “It’s like a proud dad moment. These kids are so special. Great football players but greater men. To see them do things the right way and graduate early and go play for the university of their choice. I’m just proud of them. They all know that this is home and we will do anything we can for them.”
The early signing period was a pretty big one for the Clay-Chalkville Cougars. All the best to these young men.