Signing Day: Here are the Savannah-area athletes who put pen to paper
The second period of college athletic signings began on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with the traditional National Signing Day and a number of student athletes in the Greater Savannah area put pen to paper and set their futures in motion.
Here's a look a some of the standouts from the Coastal Empire who are headed to compete at the next level.
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Calvary Day
Caden Arnold, Georgia Southern
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder receiver had a breakout season with the Cavs as he reeled in 56 passes for 1,058 yards with 16 total touchdowns. He had four straight 100-yard receiving games in the playoffs, with 21 receptions for 460 yards and six scores and was an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick.
Arnold is joining the Eagles as a preferred walk on. He signed in a ceremony at Calvary on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Trevor Strowbridge, Lenoir Rhyne University
Strowbridge starred on both sides of the all for the Cavs, who reached the Class 3A state semfinals. He led the team with Cavs with 468 yards rushing and scored 15 touchdowns. On defense, he had 62 tackles, including six for losses with four interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries and was a first-team All-Greater Savannah selection.
Jordan Davis, Shorter University
The Calvary Day linebacker was a pivotal player on a defense that posted seven straight shutouts and allowed under 10 points per game.
Davis had 47 tackles tackles, including 12 for losses and 3.5 sacks with five quarterback hurries on the season.
Quentin Morris, Shaw University
Morris was a difference maker on the strong Cavalier defense as he had 68 tackles on the season, with 18.5 for losses. He added five sacks and 18 quarterback hurries and had his best game of the season in a win over Savannah Christian when he racked up 15 tackles.
Ross Rambo, Charleston Southern University
Rambo is dedicated to his craft of long snapping and developed into one of the top specialists in the Coastal Empire with his excellent technique.
He will join the Charleston University program as a preferred walk on.
Amare Drew, Georgia Military College
Drew was a key man on the Cavalier defense as a defensive back. He was tied for second on the team with four interceptions on the season and had 16 tackles on the year.
Chase Lucas, Knox College
Lucas averaged 6.6 yards per carry and made an impact for the Cavs with 226 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the season. He signed with Knox College, a Division III program in Illinois.
St. Vincent's
Abigail Brown, Jacksonville University
Brown became the first SVA athlete to sign as a clay sports shooter as she made things official when she signed with Jacksonville University on Thursday.
She practices her craft out of Forest City Gun Club and is the captain of the SVA riflery team.
Benedictine
La'Don Bryant, Northern Illinois University
The senior was a key playmaker for the Cadet offense with his big play ability. He caught 36 passes for 590 yards and scored nine touchdowns for a BC squad that won the Region 3-4A title and advanced to the Class 4A State semifinals after winning state championships the two seasons prior.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder had his best game of the season on the road in an impressive win over Burke County when he caught three passes for 114 yards with two touchdowns -- including an incredible leaping grab. Bryant showed his athleticism with several highlight-reel style catches this year.
His athleticism extends to the basketball court where Bryant is a key player, averaging 11.2 points and 7.3 rebounds for a strong Benedictine squad.
Cole Walker, East Carolina
The senior long snapper has worked hard to become one of the best in the state of Georgia. He was a key component in an excellent kicking game for the Cadets over the last several seasons and is also a standout on the BC baseball team.
Calvin Rose, Saint Vincent
The star attack man for the Benedictine lacrosse team is headed to Latrobe, Pennsylvania to play for Saint Vincent, a Division III program.
Rose was a catalyst for the Cadet offense last season as he scored a team-high 55 goals to help lead BC to the Area 8 championship and the second round of the state playoffs. He was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection.
Savannah Christian
Jamari McIvory, Northern Illinois
The three-sport star is headed north to play football at Northern Illinois. He was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection as a defensive back after helping lead the Raiders to the Class 3A state title game.
McIvory was a first-team All-Greater Savannah selection as a defensive back after he picked off seven passes, including a pick-six. He also rushed for 297 yards and four scores, caught a touchdown pass and ran back a kickoff for a score.
The speedster was named the All-Greater Savannah Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year last season after he won Class 3A state titles in the 200 meters and 400 meters.
Mary Brit Tallevast, Piedmont University
The star setter for the Raiders is headed to Athens to play for Piedmont University, a Division III program.
She had 240 assists, with 91 kills, 55 aces, 16 blocks and 124 digs on the season and helped lead the Raiders to the state quarterfinals. She was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection.
Jayden White, Georgia Southern
The infielder is a star for the SCPS baseball team who was a big factor in the run to a region title and the state Final Four last year.
He hit .376 with 13 doubles, 29 RBIs and 33 runs and stole 14 bases as a junior to earn All-Region first-team honors.
Jayden is set to join his older brother, Joey White, at Georgia Southern. Joey White started his college career at Birmingham Southern before joining the Eagles as a transfer.
Blaine Burnsed, Gordon State College
Burnsed was named the Region 3-3A Pitcher of the Year last season. He went 6-2 with a 1.59 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched. He was also a star offensively -- hitting .358 with an OPS of .943 with three doubles, a triple, four homers, 29 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He helped lead the Raiders the state semifinals and was an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick.
Emylee Parsh, Piedmont University
The senior is a standout on the Raider cheerleading squad and will continue her college career at Piedmont University in Athens.
Islands
Johnny Calloway, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
The left-hander was named the Region 3-4A Pitcher of the Year last season when he went 6-3 with a 1.71 ERA. He threw a pair of no-hitters, including one against Benedictine and allowed just 10 hits on the season and fanned 85 batters in 41 innings pitched to earn All-Greater Savannah first-team honors.
Collins throws in the high 80s and also excels in the classroom as he maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Joey Cardillo, Milligan University
A four-year starter at shortstop for the Sharks, Cardillo has never missed a game in his high school career. He carries a 4.0 GPA and was an All-Region 3-4A first-team pick last season
The leadoff hitter has a career average of .404, Cardillo, known for his gritty style of play, and is headed to Milligan University, an NAIA program in Tennessee.
Ben Fernandez, Miles College
The first baseman/pitcher is a key contributor on the mound and at the plate for the Sharks. He bats in the middle of the lineup where he swings a powerful bat.
Fernandez also excels in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is set to join Miles College, a Division II program based in Alabama.
Braedin Swab, East Georgia
Swab is a standout pitcher who is also a key player in the field. He'll make the move from third base to left field this year.
Known for his work ethic, Swab is a leader for a Shark team full of senior talent this season. He hit .350 last years and was an All-Region first-team pick. He is set to play at East Georgia College, a junior college program based in Swainsboro.
Brennan Smith, Mary Baldwin University
The dual sport athlete has been a standout with the Islands soccer squad since his freshman season.
He is also an accomplished cross country runner and an 'A' student. Smith is headed to Mary Baldwin, a Division III program based in Virginia.
Savannah Country Day
Eva Beauchamp, Wesleyan University
The versatile senior athlete is headed to Wesleyan University as a track and field athlete.
She has was a state qualifier last year in the 100 meter hurdles and 300 hurdles. Beauchamp was also a star on the Hornet flag football team, earning second-team All-Greater Savannah honors this season.
She also excels in the classroom and is headed to Wesleyan, a Division III program based in Connecticut. She is set to sign on Thursday.
Richmond Hill
Nick Bliss, Georgia Southern
Bliss earned All-Greater Savannah first-team honors on offense after racking up 20 touchdowns on the season. He rushed for 602 yards and 14 touchdowns and and caught 46 passes for 540 yards and four scores. He added 347 yards in punt and kick returns, with two more touchdowns. The Region 1-7A Offensive Player of the Year is set to join the Eagles as a preferred walk on.
Myleek Gould, College of Wooster
The standout defensive back had 47 tackles on the season for a Richmond Hill squad that made its way back to the playoffs this year.
He is set to join Wooster College, a Division III program in Ohio.
Andy Ferrer, Wingate University
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive lineman is headed to play at WIngate University, a Division II program in North Carolina.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah area athletes set futures in motion on National Signing Day
