By Mark Brock
Athletics Specialist for DCSD Media Relations
Despite the Covid-19 recruiting restrictions and scholarships on hold due to the NCAA transfer portal, 43 football players from the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) inked scholarships during the 2021 college football signing cycle (December/February).
This number could increase in the coming weeks as colleges determine scholarship limits for 2021. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia are represented as destinations for the signees.
State playoff quarterfinalist Cedar Grove led the way with 11 signees that were part of two Class 3A state championship teams in 2018-19.
Defensive back Jordan Grier (Indiana) and quarterback Austin Smith (Eastern Michigan) are both headed North to Big 10 and MAC country, respectively. Running back Langston White (Mercer), defensive lineman Demarius Jackson (Shorter) and offensive lineman Keon Watson (Albany State) all elected to stay in the Peach State to further their education and athletic careers.
Other Saints headed to the next level include Antonio Taylor (DB, Southeast Missouri), Christian Anderson (OL, UT-Chattanooga), Justin Jones (OL, Eastern Kentucky), Montego Johnson (DB, Central State, OH), Zaire Prioleau (DB, Concordia) and Domonique Davis (LB, Lenoir Ryne).
Arabia Mountain added three college signees led by Brandon Adams , who plays safety, inking with Central Florida and defensive back Damion Fitzpatrick with North Alabama. Offensive lineman Elliott Howell picked Tuskegee as his landing spot.
AM 2 Brandon Adams
Chamblee quarterback Finn Allers and Miller Grove linebacker Stephen Bacon are headed to the Windy City’s Concordia University in Chicago. Bacon was one of five Wolverines to ink including Daveon Williams (DB, William Penn) who is headed to Iowa. Other college signees from Miller Grove included defensive end Jamil Robert and H-back Kehavi Jackson who both stayed in state at Point University.
Columbia had six to join the college ranks led by Caleb Fisher (DE, Western Carolina) and Antoine Jordan (LB, Wingate). Other Columbia seniors added to the college list include Trevaris Hammond (OL, Concordia), Jesse Williams (C, Missouri Valley College), Devin Burton (DL, Gallaudet University) and Antonio Welch (SS, Carroll University).
Southwest DeKalb had four signees led by teammates linebacker Tory Jones and defensive back Robert Grady both signing with the University of Cumberlands to continue their careers together. Linebacker Anthony Lovett (Missouri Valley College) and defensive end Caleb Grant (Wheeling University) are moving on with their choices for the next four years.
SWD 3 Robert Grady
Lithonia had four college signees including Antonio Hayes (SS, Fort Valley State), Dvont’e Slaton (RB, Georgia Southern) and Ahmad Mims (OL, Mars Hill).
Stephenson had All-State offensive lineman George Jackson (Louisiana) and defensive back Dorian Helm (UMass) sign up for the next four years.
Martin Luther King Jr. put two more in the college ranks in linebacker Jomel Robinson (Charleston Southern) and defensive back Adon Flukers (Clark Atlanta).
One of the top passers in DeKalb County history, David Ledoyen of Dunwoody, picked up a scholarship from Elon University. Ledoyen finished fifth all-time in DeKalb with 5,147 yards passing.
Dun5 Davis Ledoyen
Georgia Knights Prep picked up four DeKalb signees in Chamblee’s Brayson Seaborne (RB) and Bryson Seaborne (DB), Miller Grove running back Jarvis Stewart and Stephenson wide receiver Dalen Gipson.
Tennessee Valley Prep inked Arabia Mountain tight end Jacques Dalrymple and Lithonia linebacker Ronnell Haten.
