The Columbia football program had a record-setting National Signing Day Wednesday with seven stars inking scholarships to play at the next level.
The signees included running back Kentrel Bullock, Ole Miss; safety Jamison Kelly, Louisiana Tech; safety Teshonne Franklin, Pearl River Community College; defensive tackle Jordan Aaron, Hinds Community College; defensive end Justin Lee, Hinds; cornerback Sadarion Magee, East Central Community College; and offensive lineman Ethan Bond, East Central.
Bullock had actually decommitted from the Oxford school when Matt Luke was fired as head coach, but after Lane Kiffin was hired and he got to meet with the eccentric coach he pledged his future to the Rebels once again.
“I realized you’re not just committing to a coach; you’re committing to a school,” Bullock said. “I talked to coach Lane, and our relationship built up. The rest of the coaching staff was just like the last one, and it still felt like home.”
The four-star running back also held offers from Auburn, Mississippi State, Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Southern Miss, Troy, UAB, Jackson State, Alcorn State and several junior colleges. 247Sports ranks Bullock as the No. 282 prospect in the entire country, the No. 24 running back and seventh-best in Mississippi.
Bullock thanked his mom, Lashunda Nelson, for being with him every step of the way. He said he’s also thankful for head coach Chip Bilderback always being there for him and being a father figure on the field who taught him right from wrong.
Kelly, along with Bullock, signed his official letter of intent during the first signing period in December, but the star duo opted to hold off on doing a ceremony so they could sign alongside the rest of their teammates. Kelly said they wanted to share the special moment with their brothers.
Bullock added that doing it as a seven-man group helps show how talented the players in Columbia are and that they wanted to do it the same way they play together: as family.
Kelly committed to La Tech shortly after being offered more than a year ago, and despite receiving even more interest since then he stayed firm on his commitment because the Bulldogs remained loyal to him.
“They didn’t try to go over after somebody else. They were like, ‘This is our guy. This is who we want,’” he said.
The rangy defensive back also held offers from Troy, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Jackson State and a whole host of junior colleges.
From his discussions with the coaching staff, Kelly believes he will get the chance to play as a freshman. And while his preferred position is free safety, they have told him he could play some strong safety or cornerback as well.
Kelly thanked his mom, Lakisha, for doing all of the little things throughout the years, his dad, Jamison Sr., and uncle, Brandon Louge. He also thanked Bilderback for his guidance and getting him connected with good schools and coach Brandon Thompson for helping him make his body.
Franklin said his decision to choose PRCC was because he really likes the proximity of Pearl River to Columbia and the relationship he has with defensive backs coach Ta’Ron Sims. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College also offered Franklin, but he had his heart set on Pearl River from the beginning.
The ballhawk, who grabbed eight interceptions as a senior, said his primary position will remain strong safety, but the coaching staff plans to move him around a little bit in the secondary. Franklin said he plans on playing football for as long as he can and hopes to land at a four-year school.
Franklin thanked his mom, Tamika, six brothers, coaches, teachers and God for helping him along the way.
“Not a lot of people can do the things we do,” he said. “I’m just blessed.”
Nearly two weeks ago Aaron shut down his recruitment and committed to Hinds. He said it was like a burden lifted off his back when he chose Hinds because he finally knew where he was going. He said it’s always been a dream of his to play collegiately, and he’s excited about the possibility of extending his career past the junior college ranks.
The defensive tackle also had offers from East Central and Pearl River, but Hinds was home to him.
“It felt like I was supposed to be there,” he said. “It was the coaches and the environment. And Hinds was the first school to offer me after my junior year.”
Aaron thanked Bilderback for molding him into the player he is and his mom, Tammy, because without her he wouldn’t be here.
Aaron will be joined by fellow defensive lineman Justin Lee, who plays on the edge, at Hinds. Lee said he chose Hinds because it’s an established winning program that consistently sends players to four-year schools.
“They had like 20 sophomores sign D-1, and it felt like home when I went up there,” he said.
Southwest Mississippi Community College and Coahoma Community also offered Lee, but the family atmosphere and the opportunity to play alongside Aaron again sold him.
“We’re probably going to be roommates up there. That’s another two years playing with a buddy; that will be fun,” he said.
Lee said all the hard work he’s put in over the past four years paid off when he signed his letter of intent, and it was a proud moment. He thanked his parents, Rickey and Amy Lee, God, teammates and the Wildcats coaching staff for pushing him to be his best.
Another pair of Wildcats will be teaming up at the next level as well, with Magee and Bond signing with East Central.
Magee, who will play cornerback in college, said it was a dream come true for him when he received an offer from East Central, which was his first and only. Up until a few weeks ago Magee thought his football career might be over, but the Warriors extended an offer Jan. 22.
“I was thinking at first I wasn’t going to get one, but I prayed up to God and He told me to wait and that my time was coming. And it came,” he said.
The atmosphere, facilities and the program’s emphasis on academics drew Magee to East Central. Magee thanked his mom, Latasha, brother, Sederick, and stepdad, Patrick Armstrong, for pushing him to reach the next level.
Bond’s experience was similar to Magee’s because he wasn’t offered until January either. He said after Columbia’s final game he realized he didn’t want his gridiron days to be over so he continued to push himself.
His first offer came Jan. 8 from Mississippi Delta Community College, who actually called him during a class. He said he was really excited because he knew his career wasn’t over yet, but a week later East Central offered, too. Bond said the coaches there remind him a lot of Columbia’s coaches and were what sold him on that being the place he wanted to be.
The offensive lineman thanked coach Craig Cluff, who taught him the importance of fundamentals. He also thanked his dad, Robbie, who has always pushed him to do his best.
Before it’s all said and done, Bilderback said the Wildcats could have one or possibly two more players sign at a later time. He named DaQwan Jones and AJ Walker as the possibilities.
