Photo by: Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Devron Glenn fills out forms for the Presbyterian College football program.

Photo by: Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Brandon Hughes and Dalton Robinson fill out paperwork for Newberry College.

Newberry College landed the most Summerville-area football players on National Signing Day.

Wednesday marked the first day high school seniors could sign scholarship documents or a national letter of intent officially committing them to play football for the college or university of their choice.

Ashley Ridge linebacker Brandon Hughes and kicker Dalton Robinson, as well as Fort Dorchester wide receiver Chris Rouse, signed with Newberry.

Hughes, the 2011 All-county Line Defensive Player of the Year, led the Swamp Foxes in tackles this season. He finished the season with an impressive 206 tackles, including 68 solo tackles. The linebacker also recorded 21 QB hurries, six sacks, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Robinson is a four-year starter for Ashley Ridge. As a senior, he made 47 of 48 extra-point attempts and was 7 of 9 for field goals. His longest of the year was from 43 yards out.

Rouse was a key component in a Fort Dorchester offense that gained more than 2,700 yards with passing this season. The team captain had 33 receptions for 382 yards and three touchdowns.

In all, Newberry signed more than 30 football players Wednesday and only one isn’t from a South Carolina High School.

"We are very excited about the young men who have decided to join the Newberry College family, and we look forward to them joining us on campus,” Newberry coach Todd Knight told newberryathleticsite.com. “This is a very talented group of young men who will benefit from learning from the returning players in front of them and will help make our returning squad better as well.”

Three other Fort Dorchester players made their choice of college official.

Wide receiver Devron Glenn signed with Presbyterian College. As a senior, he made 50 receptions for 493 yards and four TDs. He also rushed for 309 yards and four TDs and had 493 return yards with a special teams TD.

Offensive lineman Robert Coleman signed with Jacksonville State University.

“A few years ago I would have never thought I would have this opportunity,” Coleman said. “I just want to thank the entire staff of Fort Dorchester. When I came here, I wasn’t a D-1 athlete, but they believed in me. I always wanted to play college football so it’s great to be signing away the next four years of my life.”

Quarterback Ethan Long, who was named the Patriots 2011 MVP after completing 213 pass attempts for more than 2,700 yards and 29 touchdowns while only throwing 11 interceptions, moved out of state after graduating early in December. While he wasn’t at the school’s signing-day celebration, Fort Dorchester Athletic Director/football coach Steve LaPrad said Long signed with East Carolina University.

Two other Swamp Fox football players participated in the Ashley Ridge celebration.

Receiver Seamus McKinney signed with St. Norbert College in Wisconsin. He has been the leading receiver for Ashley Ridge for the past four seasons. As a senior, he made 53 receptions for 806 yards and eight TDs. He also served as the team’s punter.

McKinney was offered a scholarship by Newberry, but his parents recently moved out of the area and he chose to sign with a school closer to his family.

Linebacker Lorenzo Baker also participated. He plans to play for Louisville Prep in Greenville and then transfer to another school.

Baker was a key component for the Swamp Fox defense, which helped Ashley Ridge advance to the semi-final round of the state playoffs this season.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com

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