Newberry’s Werts shows versatility as Shrine Bowl nears

Yafari Werts has been a busy man this week.

The Newberry quarterback has been playing a variety of roles in practice for the South Carolina squad as it prepares for Saturday’s 79^th annual Shrine Bowl. Werts has been playing slot receiver, the team’s Wildcat quarterback and also will hold on field goals for the Sandlappers.

“I’m an athlete, so it isn’t that hard,” Werts said Monday. “I have just been getting the fundamental things down at receivers, the releases and running the routes. Other than that, I am fine.

“I wasn’t nervous. After I caught the first ball, I kind of got the feel of it and I was kind of relaxing and playing.”

Werts’ versatility this week will not only help the S.C. squad, but also prepare him for whatever his role will be on the next level. He committed to Georgia Southern over the summer to play quarterback, but his recruiting took an unexpected turn last week when GSU coach Willie Fritz took the job at Tulane.

“When coach Fritz left, it kind of shook things up a bit. I don’t know what other coaches are staying or leaving yet,” Werts said.

The senior said he remains committed to Georgia Southern, but “is not canceling anybody out right now.” Fritz already has reached out to him to consider coming to Tulane, and he said North Carolina is recruiting him to play receiver.

Werts plans to take his official visit to Georgia Southern next month and he hopes the new coaching staff will be in place by then. He will visit North Carolina on Jan. 22.

Werts has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state the past two seasons and helped the Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in the Class 2A Division I championship game. This year, he rushed for 1,308 yards and threw for 1,204 yards and 32 total touchdowns.

For his career, he finished with more than 6,000 yards and 73 touchdowns.

“There is so much he can do,” Newberry coach Phil Strickland said of Werts. “He is electrifying with the ball in his hands. He is a good leader and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Werts is hoping to make the most of his opportunity this week and enjoying the activities that go with playing in the game such as visiting children in the Shriners Hospital.

“Going to the hospital and seeing the real purpose of all this was really fun,” Werts said. “And it’s good to be able to showcase my ability against all these talented players.”

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Newberry’s Werts shows versatility as Shrine Bowl nears."