3 North Florida Christian baseball players sign to play college baseball, 1 heading to FAMU

From middle school to signing day, that is the story of North Florida Christian baseball players Noah Miller, Walker Sparkman and Garrett Workman.

The trio of seniors put pen to paper on their college decisions on Wednesday, with Miller heading to Daytona State College, joining former NFC player Joey Ervin, Sparkman signed on to play at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama and Workman is staying home, joining the FAMU baseball team.

For the teammates, the moment of signing together was years in the making.

"We've all just been training for this moment our whole lives we've always dreamed of this," Sparkman said. "So now we're getting to all play together this season and know that we get to keep playing after high school, which really means a lot."

The Eagles baseball program has produced several college athletes under head coach Mike Posey, with the trio being the latest group to join the list of players making the jump into the college ranks. Seeing players go from the baseball program at NFC to college programs was inspiring to the group as they progressed throughout their high school careers.

Both Miller and Sparkman have been two of NFC's most consistent players, and the duo feels like Posey and past players have helped them get to the next level.

"A lot of great athletes have come through here, so coach Posey always brings it up, no matter how hard you have to work, we can get there," Miller said. "He tells us about the stories of other players. So it just gives us the motivation to be able to go out there and work hard and get to the next level."

"It's really a legacy here with NFC," Sparkman added. "We just have to keep building on to it."

With the group signing on Wednesday part of the NFC team that finished as state runner-up in 2022 and regional finalist in 2023, they are looking to finish their high school careers on a high. With fall ball wrapped up, the group is ready for the spring season and competing for another deep playoff run.

"I'm really excited for the spring season," Miller said. "I feel like we had a really good spring, we got a couple of new guys coming in and I really feel like this year is gonna be a good year for us."

Staying home

Just under five miles. That is the distance that Workman will travel from NFC to FAMU.

The senior pitcher has been a standout for the Eagles during his high school career, making the All-Big Bend teams in 2022 and 2023, and being one of NFC's most reliable arms on the mound. With all that comes with playing at the next level, one of the biggest things that excites Workman is getting to see some familiar faces.

"It is kind of a continuation of my journey," Workman said. "I'm excited to get back with some of my old teammates who went here that are now at FAMU and play baseball with them again."

Workman isn't the only senior in the Big Bend who's joining the Rattlers, with Leon baseball player Jay Campbell also staying home and playing for FAMU following high school. The ability to stay in town and compete for FAMU was an opportunity Workman didn't want to pass on.

"I'm stoked about it," Workman said about signing with the Rattlers. "I can't wait to get out there and get to work with the team."

Where have Big Bend Athletes signed

Athletic Directors, if your athletes signed and aren't shown on this list, please email a copy of their name, sport, and college to lrooney@tallahassee.com so they can be added!

Chase Davis, Leon, signs to South Alabama baseball

Jay Campbell, Leon, signs to FAMU baseball

Philip Garcia, Leon, signs to Gulf Coast State College baseball

Jace Estes, Wakulla Christian, signs to Florida State baseball

Amelia Haggins, Leon, signs to Tulane volleyball

Kenzie Hultquist, Florida High, signs to Florida State University sand volleyball

Amelia Wass de czege, Florida High, signs to University of South Florida volleyball

Kaylin Johnson, Chiles, signs to the University of West Florida volleyball

Ashlyn Koerner, Lincoln, signs to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universtiy volleyball

Patrick Koon, Leon, signs to Stanford cross country

Cade Swart, Chiles, signs to the University of Pennsylvania track and field.

Dillyn Suggs, Florida High, signs to Campbell University softball

Riley Deem, Florida High, signs to Faulkner University softball

Ashlyn Powell, Florida High, signs to Thomas University softball

Estella Diaz, Lincoln, signs to Flagler University soccer

Izzy Brantley, Lincoln, signs to King University soccer

Dakota Morris, Florida High, signs to Barry University basketball.

Ryder Gentry, Chiles, signs to Louisiana State University swimming

Payton Bundy, Maclay, signs to the University of Tennessee Martin equestrian

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: NFC baseball sees 3 players sign to play college ball, with one staying home.