Four Co-Lin stars join sr. colleges
Published 6:00 am Thursday, December 21, 2006
WESSON — Four standouts from Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegehave planned their future football careers with senior collegeswhile another has postponed his scholarship signing until Saturday.Co-Lin quarterback Cedric Johnson has signed with Jacksonville(Ala.) State University, offensive guard Zack Ray has signed withWestern Kentucky, linebacker Blake Spiers has signed with SouthernMiss and Kyle Tutor has cast his lot with Southeastern LouisianaUniversity.
Defensive lineman Jessie Bowmn was scheduled to sign Wednesdaybut a misdemeanor 5-day jail term for trespassing and burglarydelayed his signing until Saturday, according to Co-Lin head coachGlenn Davis and Bowman’s attorney, Joe Fernald.
Johnson (5-10, 166) was instrumental in leading the Co-LinWolfpack to the MACJC South Division championship. He was namedMost Valuable Player in the Golden Isles Bowl Classic in Brunswick,Ga., directing Co-Lin to a 21-0 win over Georgia Military Schooland a 9-3 record.
Johnson, an Americas, Ga., product, originally signed withIllinois coming out of high school. He holds the Georgia statecareer touchdown record with 92 and the state record for most TDsin a season, with 41, during his senior season. He earned all-statehonors for 3 years at Americus High School.
In 2006, Johnson accounted for 2,057 yards and 26 touchdowns. Hecompleted 138 of 246 passes for 1,775 yards and 15 touchdowns. Healso rushed for 282 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“Cedric is one of the most athletic quarterbacks that I’veseen,” said Jacksonville State head coach Jack Crowe. “He remindsme of former Gamecock All-American Montressa Kirby. Cedric is verytalented and we’re very excited to have him join us inJanuary.”
Jacksonville State is an NCAA Division I-AA school and a memberof the Ohio Valley Conference. Under Crowe’s guidance, theGamecocks won the OVC championship in 2003 and 2004. They were 6-5overall and 5-3 in the OVC this year.
Ray (6-3, 305), from Brookhaven, was a stalwart in Co-Lin’soffensive line. In 2004, he helped the Ole Brook Panthers win theClass 4A state championship.
Spiers (6-2, 220), from Brandon, was one of Co-Lin’s leadingtacklers this season.
Tutor (6-2, 283), from Meadville, anchored Co-Lin’s offensiveline at center.
Bowman (6-1, 310) of Brookhaven originally signed withMississippi State coming out of high school but he was academicallyineligible to play for the Bulldogs. He enjoyed two exceptionalseasons at Co-Lin, earning NJCAA All-American honors as asophomore.
Another Co-Lin product who has made an oral commitment to MSU isJasper O’Quinn (5-11, 190) of Meadville. O’Quinn signed with DeltaState University out of Franklin County High School but transferredto Co-Lin for his sophomore season. He expects to sign in Februarywith MSU and graduated from Co-Lin in May.
Davis said several more members of Co-Lin’s sophomore class wereexpected to sign scholarships in the near future.