Midlands football players make college choices

Several Midlands football players made verbal commitments this weekend, while others will wait to signing day Wednesday before announcing their decisions.

Blythewood’s Eric Weber and David Israel, A.C. Flora’s Brendan Greene, Ben Lippen’s Mark Rew, Lower Richland’s Phillip Flemming, Gray Collegiate’s Ivey Brice, Irmo’s Ronnie Jamison and former White Knoll standout Tyler Johnson all announced their college plans.

Weber committed to East Carolina after visiting there this weekend. As a tight end, he caught nine passes for 168 yards this season. On defense, he had 65 tackles, eight for loss and two sacks. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Weber will play tight end for the Pirates.

“I chose ECU because on my visit, it felt like family and the program really is on the come up,” Weber said. “And the new coaching staff has big plans for us.”

Israel committed to Butler Community College in Kansas. He is the second Midlands player headed there, joining White Knoll’s Tyquilo Moore. The quarterback threw for 2,025 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

Greene committed to Hampton University in Virginia and also considered Campbell. The Falcons’ signal caller threw for 1,604 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

“I felt at home there,” Greene said. “The school is one big family and I have an opportunity to get a great education. The coaching staff is full of experience and our head coach had experience at the national championship level. Also, I’ll be able to grow as a man being away from home.”

Rew announced he will attend Georgia Tech as a preferred walk-on after visiting there this weekend. He had offers from other schools, including Elon and Newberry, but wanted the opportunity to play Division I.

Rew, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, caught 41 passes for 749 yards and six touchdowns for Ben Lippen, but Georgia Tech is recruiting him as a quarterback for the triple-option offense. He played quarterback at Cardinal Newman before transferring to Ben Lippen this year.

“As soon as I heard I had a Division I opportunity, I couldn’t be happier,” Rew said. “I was floored to have this opportunity, because I missed most of my junior season with an injury.

“I will play wherever they need me to play and am going to spend this offseason working hard to get ready.”

Rew is the second Ben Lippen player to commit this week, joining offensive lineman Cullin Carlin, who will play at Berry College.

Flemming, an offensive lineman, committed to Howard University. He was a two-year starter and was thinking about joining the military before LR coaches told him to let them send out his recruiting tape one last time.

Brice, an offensive lineman, committed to Arkansas Pine-Bluff after visiting there this weekend.

Jamison, a running back, committed to Highland Community College in Kansas.

Johnson, a defensive tackle, committed to Louisiana Monroe. He spent the last two seasons at Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas after graduating from White Knoll.

Johnson had 84 tackles and 4 ½ sacks this season.

Lower Richland receiver Larry Collins is expected to announce his college decision Wednesday. Collins is the No. 9-ranked prospect in the state, according to 247Sports. Collins is considering Wake Forest, East Carolina and Coastal Carolina among his choices.

Chapin quarterback Logan Bailey will announce his college choice Wednesday morning. Bailey’s final three are Newberry, Limestone and The Citadel. Bailey took his official visit to The Citadel over the weekend.

“The visit went well. I really enjoyed getting to meet with all the coaches and see the program,” Bailey said of The Citadel.

Newberry quarterback Yafari Werts also will wait until signing day. Werts has been a Georgia Southern commit, but visited Appalachian State over the weekend. Appalachian State is recruiting Werts as a receiver.

Werts told Phil Kornblut he liked “their plan for me and how they want to get the ball in my hands and stuff like that,” he said. “They’ve had receivers drafted like five times in six years, so they put receivers in the league.”

Blythewood defensive back Khris Pam will announce his college choice Tuesday. His final three are Presbyterian, Western Carolina and Charleston Southern. Pam was played in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and Blue-Grey All-Star game earlier this month in Tampa, Fla.

Spring Valley quarterback Ryan Lee will make his college choice Wednesday. Lee has been favoring Coastal Carolina and took an official visit there. CCU is recruiting Lee as a receiver.

Lee will be the fifth Spring Valley player to sign, joining offensive lineman Prince Howard (The Citadel), defensive back Cameron Jones (Army), kicker R.J. Bacon (Presbyterian) and running back Ty’Juan Fulton (Georgia Military).

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Midlands football players make college choices."