MOULTRIE – Academics. Character. Then player.

Ten members of the Colquitt County High senior football class – plus a room full of Packer underclassmen, parents and supporters – heard these words from head coach Rush Propst Wednesday. The 10 student-athletes were the reason to be there early in the morning – just like at any other high school in the nation – for they were the ones offered and who accepted a spot on a college football roster as 2017 recruits.

Some are going to the Division I level – Bowl and Championship Subdivision – and they are cornerback Shawn Shamburger to the University of Tennessee, tight end John Samuel Shenker to Auburn, safety Tirise Barge to Tulane, and linebacker Willie DeBruce to Western Carolina.

Some are going to the same school in Tennessee: receivers Xavier Powell and Tory Ponder and end Nelson Louis all signing to play at Tusculum College.

Some are going to other small colleges: tackle Ian Brinson to Lenior-Rhyne in North Carolina and receiver Sheronsky Sloan to The University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.

And one other, guard Quan Stokes, is going the junior college route at Northwest Mississippi with the goal of transferring straight to the rebuilt Division I program at Alabama-Birmingham.

“This is a dream come true for a lot of young men today,” said Propst. “The game of football’s always been a popular sport. What’s been amped up in the last few years is what a college scholarship is all about. What it means, what it can do, and how it can change a life. One thing we see a lot of here is that first time, first generation college students coming from families. Giving these kids an opportunity to go to school is very important.”

Case in point would be Powell, stating that he is the first in his family to go to college.

Propst said athletic ability and developing it is important to get to this level, but more so it’s about being solid academically.

“And probably more so now that ever before … character does count,” he said. “You not only have to be right … you have to appear to be right. There’s a huge difference. Being right and appearing to be right … sometimes we as athletes think we’re right, but it doesn’t appear that we’re right. You sign today, all the luster and clamor of being a signee, then reality sets in.

“Academically, you’re on the chopping block. You are into the fourth quarter and overtime of your life. You still have some work to do. That’s first and foremost.

“Secondly, if you go to a university and try to do less than what we’ve done with you in the weight room, then you are making a grave mistake. Now you are just one of many on that team that is as good or better than you are.”

These 10 Packers will join several fellow alumni at all levels of college football, from South Carolina to The Citadel, from Middle Tennessee to the New England area.

Tusculum is a Division II institution that plays in the South Atlantic Conference and last year went 4-7.

“Some of our kids decided they wanted to go to the same school,” said Propst. “I like the school they’re attending. It’s a very pretty campus.”

Louis had 66 total tackles, three quarterback sacks and two memorable interceptions in back-to-back region games, including the championship tilt at home vs. Lowndes. Only five receiving yards separated Ponder and Powell (738 to 733) in 2016, but Powell had more touchdowns, 6 to 5. A little debate sparked about which one is better.

“Of course I’m going to say I’m better,” said Powell. “I can’t say I’m better, but I’m better.”

“Oh, I’m way better,” said Ponder. “I’m more of a fundamental player, and Ty’s more explosive.”

They can agree that good things are store in Tennessee.

“After my visit, I fell in love with all the people,” said Powell. “They treated me like family, like I was already part of the team.

“We’re looking to turn it around, get a winning season, maybe win a championship. I’m going to work hard every day, work after hours.”

“It seems like it will be a great experience,” said Ponder. “It won’t be uncomfortable having guys I know there with me.

“They’re rebuilding right now, so I think having me, Ty and Nelson can have a big impact on it.”

Barge had one of those changes of heart. Propst said he was committed to Troy, but had several other opportunities. For 2016, Barge was the leading Colquitt tackler with 99, eight for a loss.

“It was hard telling some people no,” said Barge. “It was my first real man decision, having to tell people no. But I loved the recruiting, the visits. I experienced a lot of things.”

“I think (former Georgia Southern head coach Willie) Fritz being in this area and now at Tulane – and if anybody knows anything about Tulane it’s a high, high, high academic institution – you are very lucky you are getting in it,” said Propst. “You have everything at a Division I program you need. You come out of there with an education, you lay that (diploma) on a desk, you probably have a better chance of getting a job.”

“I’m very, very, very thankful for the opportunity,” said Barge. “I know I’m going to have to step my game up in the classroom. Going from high school to college (football), I will have to step up. I think I’m a pretty good player now, but I can only progress. I’ll have a chance to start at the nickel position and playing a little safety, but I’m going to grind wherever I go.”

Barge’s academic plans include business management. He said he would like to reach CEO status or even start his own business.

DeBruce will go to Western Carolina off a season with 77 tackles and five sacks.

“Great university and a great opportunity for him,” said Propst.

“The recruiting process was difficult because I didn’t know what school I wanted to go to,” said DeBruce. “I had all these coaches saying this is a better school, you should come here. We have the best education for you. We can put you on the field the most.

“(Western Carolina) was more hands on with me. I talked to the professors, and they were all about us learning and graduating. That was their whole purpose. I liked that.”

DeBruce wants to go into the business field. To get ready for college football, he’s running on the track and field team and doing that weightlifting. He added that WCU plans to use him both inside and outside as a linebacker.

“I’ve wanted to play college football since the second grade,” said DeBruce.

Brinson will have a former Packer as a teammate at Lenior-Rhyne. Landon Scott was a freshman in 2016 when the Bears went 3-8.

“I think (Brinson) made the right choice,” said Propst. “Very expensive school. Very good school. They play good football in Division II.”

Sloan only got into seven games as a senior, but scored three touchdowns among his 14 receptions.

“He secured his deal his junior year,” said Propst. “He had a torn ACL, but it was torn in a place where they could harvest the whole thing and reattach it where he didn’t have to have the whole knee reconstruction. We had no data to prove whether it would work. He was sort of the guinea pig. I’m awful proud he got through the year although he did limp some. I feel good about him receiving a scholarship.”