Football stars to make decisions official today

Evans High School football coach Marty Jackson was pleased yet worried at this time last year.

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Some of Jackson's top defensive players graduated in 2008 and signed letters of intent or scholarships to play football at the collegiate level. Jackson was left wondering how this year's defense would respond.

After an undefeated season in which the Knights' defense allowed one touchdown per game, National Signing Day will be another active one for the Evans coach.

Defensive end Nigel Charles, defensive back Brandon McCladdie and defensive end Reuben Faloughi are expected to make their college choices official today.

Charles has been leaning toward Coastal Carolina, but he recently said he was still considering Savannah State and the University of South Carolina.

McCladdie is bound for The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Faloughi will attend the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on after turning down a late scholarship offer from Furman University.

"I told them my decision was made," Faloughi said.

Greenbrier defensive lineman Dylan Turner's two grandfathers served in the military, one in the Army and the other in the Navy. Turner will add the Air Force to the family's military history. He should sign today after committing to play football for the Air Force Academy. He will serve for five years after graduation.

Turner said at least one of those years will be spent as a graduate assistant. He plans to major in business and manage airplane sales.

"(I like) the positives I'm going to have when I graduate," Turner said. "(I'll) have a good job and be playing big Division I football in the Mountain West Conference."

Harlem tight end and long snapper Barry Davis will sign today with Georgia Military College.

Augusta Christian's William Banks, who played quarterback, wide receiver and tailback for the Lions, will attend Georgia Southern as a preferred walk-on. Lions coach Bruce Lane said Banks will enroll at the school for its second summer session and that the Eagles planned to use Banks as a defensive back. Lions lineman Jonathan Gibbs is expected to accept an offer from Brevard College in North Carolina.