Four Trojans sign on National Signing Day

Feb. 8—There was reason to celebrate National Signing Day at John Milledge Academy as four student-athletes signed letters of intent to continue their academic and playing careers at the next level Wednesday.

It was the first wave of signees as Athletic Director JT Wall believes many more will put pen to paper before this school year is up.

Leading the charge were Ana Land, who signed to play softball at Georgia Military College; Brandon Watson, football at Shorter University; Solomon Burney, football at Fort Valley State University; and Griffin Barnard, football at the University of West Georgia.

"The one thing all four of these athletes have in common is that they are student-athletes. Their grades have opened the door for each of them," Wall said in opening the signing ceremony inside the school's Trojan Center gymnasium.

Land and her powerful bat will stay in town to play softball for head coach Ashley Bunn at GMC. A catcher and third baseman, Land is following in her sister Autumn's footsteps. She suited up for the Bulldogs as an outfielder a few years ago.

The younger Land has been at John Milledge the last three years, and has made a major impact while playing under her father/head coach Wes Land. She was an All-Region and All-County selection every year as a Lady Trojan, All-State the last two, and was chosen as Region Player of the Year her junior season. Throughout her career she collected 114 hits, 89 RBI, and four home runs, helping JMA softball to three Final Four finishes and back-to-back region championships. Land's collective average over the last three years is just south of .400, which is no accident as she can often be found in the batting cage taking extra cuts before and after practices.

She hopes to do what many have done before her, show what she's capable of over two years at GMC and take her talent to a four-year university.

"You can never go wrong with JuCo," Land said. "So many Major League Baseball players started at JuCos and made their way up to the biggest and best. I think it's a great opportunity for me to go to GMC first and see what I can do at the collegiate level."

Headlining the list of Wall's football signees was Watson the defensive lineman. At 6-2, 310 pounds, he was a force on the inside for the Trojans these last two seasons. Before that, he did his best to get his older teammates ready for Friday nights. Watson was named Scout Team Player of the Year as a sophomore before blossoming into the destructive player he became.

"Brandon's success did not happen overnight," Wall said. "He worked hard to get where he is today. As a coach, it's refreshing to see a guy who earned Scout Team Player of the Year eventually turn into a multi-year All-State player who signs a collegiate football scholarship on National Signing Day."

Besides the All-State accolades, Watson was also a two-time All-Region and All-County player in addition to being named the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year for 2022, a season that culminated in a state championship.

Watson's is one of many similar stories of high school athletes trying to earn college scholarships today. His recruitment heated up after a strong junior campaign as he received an offer from Georgia Southern University. That offer disappeared though as Southern fulfilled its needs through the transfer portal, a practice becoming more and more prevalent in today's college football climate. Schools would rather take a chance on a player with college experience than someone fresh out of high school.

"It hurt me a little bit, but I know what I'm worth," Watson said. "I kept my faith in God and kept working."

In stepped Division II Shorter University up in Rome, which is where Watson will head this fall.

"I'm thankful for it because a lot of people don't get to play college football," he said. "Shorter took a chance on me, so I'm going to give them my all."

Like Land, Burney is following an older sibling to his college destination, though he'll actually get to suit up with his older brother Joshua as a member of the Fort Valley State football team. The younger Burney transferred to JMA from Baldwin High School for his senior year and also changed positions from quarterback to wide receiver/outside linebacker.

"He was a sponge," Wall said. "He soaked up all the knowledge he could about the offense and defense we were running. His knowledge of the game combined with his work ethic has gotten him to where he is today."

The 6-5, 200-pound two-way player totaled 63 tackles and eight tackles for loss on defense his lone year as a Trojan. He was named All-County, All-Region, and to the GIAA All-Star team for his efforts. Burney said he expects to get work on both sides of the ball upon arriving at FVSU.

"It means a lot," he said of the opportunity to continue playing football. "I've been working hard, especially having moved positions from quarterback to receiver. I had a lot of people supporting me, including my parents and my brother who give me unconditional love."

J. Burney is a defensive lineman and will play his fourth season for the Wildcats this fall.

An offensive lineman, Barnard accepted a preferred walk-on offer from West Georgia, an institution that is moving up to NCAA's Division I beginning this summer. Preferred walk-ons receive no athletic scholarship money, but do have a spot on the roster and can earn a scholarship if they make a good impression on the coaching staff.

Barnard transferred to JMA from Florida this year. Like Burney, he had to get acclimated quickly.

"He fit in from the first day he stepped on campus," said Wall. "He came in very eager and learned not only a new offense, but also a new school, town, and state."

Playing at tackle, Barnard graded out at 80% this past season and produced 23 pancake blocks. He was named All-County, All-Region, and to the GIAA All-Star squad.

Barnard's recruiting journey took him to UWG in Carrollton just last weekend.

"I fell in love with the coaching staff and the campus is beautiful," he said. "I think they can help me be the best player I can possibly be. I've always wanted to play football at the next level. It's been my dream. For coach Davis (Austin, UWG offensive line coach) to extend this opportunity to me, it means a lot."