Signing Day: 10 Lowndes players sign with colleges

VALDOSTA �" One of the most successful classes in Lowndes High's football history gathered one more time on Wednesday to see 10 players sign their letters of intent. Like many of the Vikings' games over the past four years, there was drama.
Telvin Smith sat at a table, surrounded by family and friends, debating the biggest decision of his young life. The standout linebacker said on Monday that he would sign with Florida State, but as he sat at the table with a pen in his hand, he stared at two different packets of paper: One from FSU and one from Georgia.
Smith had truly not made up his mind on which school he wanted to attend. Finally, he smiled and signed the one with the Florida State logo on it, fulfilling the verbal commitment to the Seminoles that he made last fall.
“I had Georgia papers on the left side and I had FSU papers on the right side,” Smith said. “I was kind of going back, thinking in my head what I was going to do. In the end, I said, ‘I think I'm going to go with Florida State, because I feel that's where it started, and that's where I'm going to finish.,”
Smith said picking between FSU and UGA was a very difficult decision, but he ultimately picked the place where he thought he would fit in. He said the fact that former teammates Greg Reid and Gerald Demps are at FSU didn't play a major role in his decision.
“At the end of the day, it's going to be me on the field and in the classroom,” Smith said.
Nine other Vikings also signed letters of intent on National Signing Day. Over the last four years, the 2009 class has helped the Vikings to a 42-8 record. From their sophomore season on, the 2009 seniors went 36-4 and 8-2 in the playoffs. They won the state championship in 2007.
“This is a very good senior class,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said. “It's a good group of kids character-wise. Good academics; they were real concerned about their grades. They're good athletes and good people. They represented Lowndes High well with character and honor. We're going to miss them.”
All-State right tackle Ed Christian was dressed head-to-toe in Auburn gear, and expressed excitement at becoming a Tiger. He said he was impressed with the Auburn coaching staff and fans.
“It was a good recruiting process. I was ready to get it over with,” Christian said.
Valdosta State raided the Vikings' offensive and defensive lines. Center Michael Miller, left guard Layne Grant, left tackle Justin Browning and defensive lineman Dion Crenshaw signed with the Blazers on Wednesday.
Miller said VSU's facilities, campus and proximity to home helped him make his decision. One thing he'll have to get used to is calling Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, the home field of both Valdosta State and Valdosta High School , home.
“Definitely the first couple of games, it's going to be different,” Miller said. “Walking out on the field and seeing that big paw print that you've come to despise for four years that you played in high school, that's going to be different. I think after the first couple games, and definitely as the season progresses, it'll fit in.”
Khary Franklin, who rushed for 981 yards on only 104 carries in 2009, is headed to Troy, where he'll play running back and slotback.
“I love the environment, the coaches and the plans they have for me,” Franklin said.
Franklin said the Troy coaches told him he has a good chance to play next year, and they want him to play right away. He said Troy wants to put him at H-back, something he relishes.
“I feel like the things they want me to do I can do,” Franklin said. “I can jump in right away.”
Defensive end Michael Copeland signed with Florida Atlantic and defensive lineman Jordan Black signed with Eastern Kentucky.
Aaron Winston will eventually line up across from Miller, Grant and Browning at West Georgia. Winston said the Wolves plan to turn him into a safety. He played wide receiver and punted at Lowndes .
Defensive end Riyadh Moore is off to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Two other Lowndes seniors did not sign on Wednesday, but will sign with schools in the future. Fullback Robert Anderson is looking at Panhandle State (Okla.) and Cumberland (Tenn.).
Defensive end Brian Moore is debating whether to play football or basketball. He has offers to play football at St. Augustine's (N.C.) and Panhandle State. Oxford (Atlanta) has offered him a basketball scholarship. Moore said he will wait to make a decision until basketball's signing day.
“There are several seniors that didn't sign scholarships today who are very good academically, and are going to move on to the next level at whatever,” McPherson said. “They might not play football, but every kid in this senior class is going to be successful.”