MidlandsPreps.com | Four RNE players sign

Paulk headed to ECU; Young, Washington and Cohens make choices

By GERALD DAVIS

National Signing Day meant another busy day at Richland Northeast High.

Coach Jay Frye’s program, which sent players to Notre Dame, Michigan, South Carolina and Kentucky over the past three years saw four more players sign to play college football on Wednesday. Defensive back Leonard Paulk, whose older brother, Rodney, plays linebacker at USC, signed with East Carolina.

Wide receiver Josh Young, who moved to RNE for his senior year after playing in Jacksonville, Fla., signed with Gardner-Webb.

Linebacker Chaz Washington will play at Hargrave Military (Va.) next year before heading to a four-year college.

Linebacker Quentin Cohens signed with Pikeville College, an NAIA school in Kentucky.

Paulk, who returned kicks as well as playing defense, had 82 tackles, one interception and eight pass break-ups last season and played in the North-South All-Star Game. He made an unofficial visit to USC and also considered Wofford, Furman and S.C. State before heading to East Carolina to play for head coach Skip Holtz.

"They have a family environment with good players and a good atmosphere,’’ Paulk said. "It’s a rebuilding program. They are not where they want to be yet, but it’s good to join a team that’s on the rise.’’

Young caught 34 passes for 731 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 21.5 yards a catch in his lone season with the Cavaliers.

"I’m so excited right now,’’ said Young, who also considered The Citadel and Georgia Southern. "I’m going to have a chance to play college ball for a few years.’’

Washington, who joined Paulk in the North-South Game at Conway in December, played through injuries his two seasons at RNE. He was recruited by several Division I programs and said he hopes to play at Vanderbilt or Tennessee after his year in prep school at Hargrave.

"It’s the best route,’’ Washington said.

"It’s an honor to go to prep school and not have to go to junior college. Guys like Torry Holt (St. Louis Rams wide receiver) and Plaxico Burress (of the New York Giants) took this route.’’

Cohens is thankful to keep his career going at Pikeville.

"It means a lot to me,’’ he said. "It’s been one of my goals since I started playing in seventh grade.’’