matthew.brown@gaflnews.com

MOULTRIE – Even Rush Propst was (standing) on the edge of his seat on William Bryant Court.

Saving the real drama of the day for last, first it was Colquitt County High cornerback Jay Ward choosing the LSU Tigers, and then lineman Kamaar Bell donning a visor with the Auburn Tigers logo. They were two of the 13 Packer football seniors to announce where they wanted to go play college football Wednesday, the traditional National Signing Day.

The other Power 5 school to secure the services of a Colquitt Packer was Florida State University. Placekicker/punter Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of multiple school and state records, committed to the Seminoles of nearby Tallahassee, Fla., 11 days before Wednesday’s ceremony.

Even defensive lineman Brian Merritt waited to the last moment to let it be known whose papers he would be signing. He will go to Florida Atlantic University, which is led by former Tennessee and Southern California head coach Lane Kiffin.

Ward had narrowed his choices down to LSU and Kentucky, the school he first committed to prior to the 2018 season but then decommitted in the middle of the season. Bell had a plethora of visiting locations from Indiana to Louisville, but the only other hat in front of him Wednesday was from Florida State.

The other new signees from Colquitt County’s senior class were:

Akeem McKiever, defensive back, to Savannah State

Kam Woods, defensive back; Josh Hadley, tight end; and Jerick Davis, lineman, all to the University of the Cumberlands

Kameron Barnes, lineman, and Marvion McDonald, receiver, to Shorter University

Ty Leggett, running back, and Samari ‘Smoke’ Louis, defensive back, to Georgia Military College

JuJuan Williams, defensive back, to LaGrange University

“This is a very good number, the highest we’ve had here in quite some time,” said Propst. “It’s a great accomplishment. This is as important a day as winning a football game, a big football game. This is their future. It gives them an opportunity to do something with their lives. With the cost of education going up, up, up, most of these kids here will have a full ride. They’ve earned this, and we’re glad they’ve done the things necessary to be up here today.”

Propst said Merritt double signed on Wednesday. In addition to Florida Atlantic, he signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

“It’s a relief,” said Bell, the 320-pounder, who is now ready to kick back and “chill.”

“What made me decide on Auburn … I would have been crazy not to go there. I have a better chance to play at Auburn. I felt at home. I could see myself playing for them. I could see myself being coached by coach (JB) Grimes. The SEC is very competitive, and I’m ready for it.”

It was in the spring when Bell said his recruiting picked up and was a non-stop process.

“Everybody was hitting on me,” he said, adding it was hard to focus on having a regular life, including being a high school student and player for the Packers. But he plans to bring a “Colquitt attitude” to the Plains.

The goal in four years is to make it to the NFL, but Bell knows football will not last forever. His field of study will be criminal justice.

“I’m just glad to be finally done with recruiting,” said Ward, who picked off six passes in 2018. “LSU’s been on my mind for the longest. I was thinking about signing with them in December, but I wanted to explore my options (like visits to Texas A&M and Florida State). I’m going to give them my all, 100 percent every day. I’m bringing everything, ready to play.”

As for playing in the Southeastern Conference, Ward said being a Colquitt County Packer was like the SEC. This is a program in Baton Rouge, La., that sends defensive backs to the National Football League. Ward would like to be a part of that tradition, but to him the biggest reason to go to college is for an education. His plans now are to study real estate business and/or sports management

“The (Shorter) coaches really wanted me there,” said McDonald, who was Colquitt’s back-up quarterback but was mainly a receiver with 21 catches, three for touchdowns as a senior. “I feel I can go in and play and turn the program around. They didn’t have a good season last year, but I feel I can go in and change the program around. Over the years with coach (Troy) Hobbs and coach (David) Hill, they helped me a lot – Coach (Jeff) Hammond too – to become a better receiver. The (Shorter) head coach told me from my junior tape to senior tape he saw a difference, that I run better routes.”

McDonald wants to major in business, and he does have eyes on a possible NFL career.

“Just thankful to have the opportunity,” said McKiever, who opened the 2018 season with a bang intercepting two passes against McEachern at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “Just ready to get up there. Me and the (Savannah State) coaches have a very good relationship. I feel like I could do big things there. I could be getting a starting spot at the nickel … try to make all-conference.”

McKiever said there can be no better program to grow up in than Colquitt County because it gets its players ready for the next level. He plans to pursue a business degree at Savannah State. What’s his favorite thing to revolve a business around: shoes.

“I like the (Cumberlands) campus, the facilities, all the things,” said Davis, who went from guard to center on the Packer offensive line. “I had to talk it over with my family and make a good decision. We all (him, Woods and Hadley) went there on a visit and we all liked it. They said I have a good chance to start (at guard), so I’m going to see what happens. (Coach Joey Bennett) made me the player I am now, and I’m thankful to him.”

So then Davis, upon graduation from college, wants to come back home and be a coach himself.

Woods expects to be ready for Cumberlands; he was at Signing Day with a brace around one of his knees. He said he’s in rehab daily. Woods also has another visit to the university planned for next week. It was also an easier decision for him having two Packer teammates tagging along.

“I play come-down safety,” said Woods about his role on the football field. “I play a little cornerback.” While he said the Cumberlands coaches haven’t discussed his role in their scheme, he does expect to compete for playing time right away.

Though the results were not great, Woods said his greatest memory of Packer football will be playing in the two state championship games as a junior and senior.

“I’ll get over it one day,” said Woods about the losses to Milton and North Gwinnett. He plans on studying sports medicine in college.