Alex Huntley humbled by latest honor, reaffirms commitment to Gamecock football

Alex Huntley added to his postseason accolades Thursday night by being named Mr. Richland County Football Player of the Year. The Hammond senior capped off his third straight state championship with the Skyhawks football team a couple of weeks ago and will play in the All-American Bowl in January.

But he was honored and humbled to be named the winner from the 17 nominations of the public and private schools across Richland County.

“This city and these people are rooting for you,” Huntley said. “I think that is the best part about this. All these people here are rooting for us and all of the great athletes that are here. It’s really cool, to be able to do this for everyone here.”

“Without my parents, my brother, all my coaches, (really) just everybody that surrounds me, this isn’t my award, this is all of our award because without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

The award looks beyond the recognition on the football field. The student-athletes must carry a 2.5 minimum grade point average, be active in the community with a positive influence in the classroom and on the field.

“I give thanks to Hammond School for that one, for giving me the opportunity to do all those things,” said Huntley, who is the Student Body President. “To have a chance to do everything I’m doing right now.”

Huntley is still firmly committed to South Carolina despite the recent coaching changes. He will not be signing during the early signing period in December but will ink his name with the Gamecocks in February.

“I’m still a hundred percent on South Carolina. People told me all these rumors were going around but I’m still South Carolina. I’m committed and that’s where I’m going,” Huntley said. “I’m still a huge target (for USC) and it shouldn’t mean anything for me. I’m still big on those boards and they still want me there.”

The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder is taking a different approach to his offseason this year. He gave up nearly all other sports to focus on football the last few years, but he is playing with the Hammond basketball team this winter. He expects to play lacrosse and again throw the shot put in the spring.

“I’ve been playing those sports all my life and I stopped playing basketball for a little bit to focus on weight-training and work outs,” Huntley said. “I didn’t do lacrosse last year to focus on the shot put but I decided this year, my last year to be able to do it, and hopefully win as many state championships that I can. Basketball shape, as I’m figuring out a little bit, is something else. I think it can only better me for college.”

The other nominees for the award included Dontorian Best (A.C. Flora), Jeremiah Ullah (Ben Lippen), Brandon Edwards (Blythewood), Damondre Anderson (C.A. Johnson), Max Miller (Cardinal Newman), Deirvin Grate (Columbia), Ryan Campbell (Dreher), Trey Irby (Dutch Fork), Shytrell O’Neil (Eau Claire), Grayson Tanner (Heathwood Hall), Javaris DeSant (Keenan), Jamison Ganzy (Lower Richland), John Porter (Richland Northeast), Tyson Player (Ridge View), Oru “OT” Nkiri (Spring Valley), and Ahmon Green (Westwood).