Teammates sign letters to play football
If National Signing Day's festivities in Columbia County had a movie title, then 2004's event would have been dubbed The Magnificent Seven after seven players signed letters of intent.
Greenbrier seniors Josh Adams (left) and Eugene Rogers sign national letters of intent to play football during National Signing Day festivities on Wednesday. Adams, an offensive lineman, signed with Tusculum College while Rogers signed with Liberty University.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
This year's signing day events could be named after the Dennis Rodman/Jean-Claude Van Damme action flick: Double Team.
On Wednesday, the Brierpatch was the county's lone locale for signing day activities.
Greenbrier receiver Eugene Rogers and offensive lineman Josh Adams put pen to paper and signed national letters of intent. Rogers signed with Division I-AA Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., while Adams inked with Division II Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn.
"It is really nerve-wracking," said Rogers. "You sit and watch teammates do this but you never understand how nervous you get when it is you in front of that paper."
Greenbrier football coach and athletic director Mickey Derrick watched like a proud father as his two players signed.
"Anytime you have a player sign a scholarship you feel proud," said Derrick. "To have two is just great. You know how hard these guys worked and you just feel great for them."
Rogers received notoriety after being named County Player of the Year after his junior season in which he led the CSRA in receptions (47) and receiving touchdowns (10).
However, Rogers suffered a setback after breaking his hand during preseason practice. He missed Greenbrier's first three games and the Wolfpack went 0-3 during that stretch.
"I think my injury hurt me in recruiting," Rogers said. "I wasn't able to play the full season and I didn't feel I got the attention (from coaches) that I would have if I played the entire season."
Despite the injury, Rogers amassed 600 yards of total offense.
Navy, Presbyterian and Georgia Southern all offered Rogers a scholarship.
"Georgia Southern told me not to wait for them because it might be late before they offered," Rogers said. "If they would have been on me earlier, then things could have been different. It is a long and frustrating process and that kind of stuff happens. But I gave the Liberty coaches my word and I'm excited about heading up there."
Adams landed a scholarship with the Pioneers largely because of his size and potential.
At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Adams was the area's biggest football player. He transferred to Greenbrier from Augusta Christian for his senior season.
"Josh came in for us and earned a starting job after a few games," Derrick said. "He has great size and potential and Tusculum got a special player."
Adams said he will be redshirted next year and was recruited as an offensive tackle.
"The coaches were real pleased with my size," Adams said. "They want me to improve on my footwork. I don't mind being redshirted. I'm thrilled to be able to play college football. Tusculum is a great school and the campus is up in the mountains. I'm really excited."