5 Hattiesburg High players sign with colleges
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Five players from Hattiesburg High School officially signed Wednesday as a part of National Signing Day.
Head coach, Tony Vance said, "Certainly, it's an emotional day for us as coaches. But, even more so as players and for their parents and guardians. At the end of the day, it's a great day to be a Hattiesburg Tiger man, and we're proud of these young men."
Wide receiver, Jordan Murphy will play in the SEC, as he signed with the University of Tennessee.
Murphy said "it feels good, because this is one of the goals I have always wanted to accomplish by signing to a D-1 school. I see myself as an outside (receiver), but I can play slot (receiver). But, they said they will use me at both."
Quarterback, Julian Conner signed with East Mississippi Community College.
"I like their style of play. That's what I'm used to and accustomed to. So, that's why I chose East Mississippi. I kind of made this a dream my 8th grade year when I first started playing football. And ever since then, I kind of just fell in love with it. And, I've been working to get where I'm at now," said Conner.
Both, Deontrae Barnes and Reggie Williams will play at Pearl River Community College. And, Chandler Phillips will play at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
All of the players loved playing for Coach Vance.
"He told me to work hard. He just helped me with my mentality. So, yeah, Coach Vance was a big help for me," said defensive back, Reggie Williams.
"It's a wonderful experience. I promise you, some people don't see him for what he is. He's like a father figure, and he really helped me to get where I am today. He helped me on the field and off the field. He helped me become a better person," said defensive back, Chandler Phillips.
Every single one of these players will work their tail off to try and make it big.
"Wherever the Lord takes me to. I'm just trying to play and show everybody that I can do what I can do. And, I have capabilities to do what I can do," said Williams.
