National Signing Day: 4 names to watch in the Chattahoochee Valley
It’s probably safe to say that much of the buzz surrounding February’s National Signing Day is reduced by the early signing period, which takes place in December. Most major recruits make their college choices then, some choosing to early enroll and get a jump start by taking part in spring practices.
Most, not all.
There are still quite a few notable unsigned athletes in the Chattahoochee Valley, and most of them sign their letters of intent Wednesday. While many athletes have their college choice already mapped out, some are a bit more coy about the process.
Here are four names to watch for on National Signing Day:
ANDY BOYKIN
Three-star prospect Andy Boykin started out as a freshman tight end at LaGrange before transferring to its cross-town rival, Troup, before his sophomore season. Since then, he’s blossomed into one of the premier defensive linemen in the area.
The defensive end’s 2019 stats don’t show it — Boykin drew a lot of double teams and played primarily defensive tackle last year, his coach said — but he played a vital role in the Tigers’ defense in Troup’s run to the 2018 GHSA 4A playoff semifinals and the first round of the playoffs the following season.
The 6-foot-3, 301 pound Boykin has gotten offers from top Division I programs like West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, Miami, Florida State and Florida. He took an official visit to Arkansas over the weekend and committed to the Razorbacks soon after.
Boykin said he and Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman have a “great relationship,” in a Jan. 28 interview with the Ledger-Enquirer.
Pittman visited with Boykin, his family and Glisson last week. Boykin called Pittman a “very genuine and classy person.”
Boykin will sign at 1 p.m. EST at Troup’s indoor facility. He also mentioned the possibility of double signing with a Division I program and a junior college due to academics while speaking to the Ledger-Enquirer on Jan. 28.
He’s considered a hard commit to Arkansas by 247 Sports.
MIKE HARRIS
The highest rated unsigned area prospect from Alabama, Central’s Mike Harris was long considered to be leaning toward Arkansas. He decomitted from the Razorbacks on Jan. 10, then visited Ole Miss four days later.
Harris, a 6-foot, 180 pound safety, received an offer from Baylor on Jan. 28, took his official visit three days later. The three-star (247 Sports Composite) recruit is projected to pick the Bears after shutting down his recruitment on Feb. 2.
Harris, along with several other Red Devils, will sign at 9:30 a.m. EST at Central’s football expansion facility.
KHIARI MCCOY
Stopping — or even just slowing down — Carver running back Khiari McCoy was no easy task for defenders in 2019.
The Ledger-Enquirer’s 2019 All-Bi-City Player of the Year, McCoy ran for 1,959 yards as a senior, averaging over 171 yards rushing per game. He added 22 rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores.
McCoy finished his senior season with 2,269 all-purpose yards as Carver won region 1-4A for the first time since 2015. The Tigers compiled a one-loss regular season and were the only team in the region to finish with an unbeaten region record.
The Tigers scored 40 or more points in seven games. McCoy, at one point, scored 11 touchdowns over two games.
McCoy holds offers from Valdosta State and Albany State. He visted Valdosta State in January.
McCoy and four other Tigers will sign at 10 a.m. in Carver’s auditorium.
BRANDON THOMAS
Another running back who provided many issues for opposing defenses out of the backfield in 2019 was Brandon Thomas.
One of the key players in Marion County’s class 1A public state championship runner-up season, Thomas ran for 1,030 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, adding 609 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
Thomas is also a standout on the Eagles’ basketball team. He will sign a dual scholarship to play football and basketball for Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, Florida), an NAIA school that plans to join NCAA Division II next year.
FOLLOW SIGNING DAY LIVE
The Ledger-Enquirer will be covering National Signing Day from beginning to end. Follow @JoshDMixon on Twitter, and visit ledger-enquirer.com for signing day news and updates throughout the day.
