Area Football Stars Commit On National Signing Day

February 7, 2013

At Northview High School on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, Neiko Robinson signed a letter of intent with the Penn State Nittany Lions, and Blake McCall signed with Jackson State University.

“It’s exciting. I’m just ready to play now,” Robinson said. While Penn State is banned from bowl games for four years following a child  abuse scandal, Robinson said he never wavered in his commitment to the Nittany Lions.

“”To me, the football program didn’t do anything wrong…it was a criminal matter,” he said. “Playing in front of 110,000 people, that’s a bowl game in itself.”

Walking into a huge stadium also helped seal the deal between McCall and the Jackson State Tigers in Jackson, Miss.  “When I walked into the stadium — 65,ooo — I knew I wanted to play there,” McCall said. “It feels amazing; I am really and truly blessed to go to this school.”

Watching McCall and Robinson sign with large schools was a shining moment for Northview High Head Coach Sid Wheatley.

“We want to continue having great success here, and turn out student athletes to the next level. They are going to go and get and education, and that’s very important,” Wheatley told McCall and Robinson’s teammates as they watched the ceremony in the school theater.

Here’s a look at some of the other  area commitments made  Wednesday on National Signing Day:

Tate High

Tate High School running back Lorenzo Long signed Tuesday morning with the Division I-AA Wofford Terriers. Long holds the Tate Aggie career record with 3,227 rushing yards. During his senior season, Long had 183 carries for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Pensacola High

Defensive back Blake Norwood of Cantonment to East Carolina.
Black Norwood to East Carolina.

West Florida High

Defensive end Nate Crawford to Missouri.
Cornerback Demetrius Smith to  Georgia Military Academy.

Pine Forest High

Defensive end DeMarcus Glover to Western Kentucky.
Running back Rashaad Lee to Florida Atlantic.
Jordarius Gardner to Butler Community College in Kansas.

Pictured top: Neiko Robinson (left) reacts Tuesday afternoon to applause after signing his letter of intent with Penn State as Blake McCall (right) looks on and prepares to sign with Jackson State University. Pictured below: (front, L-R) Neiko Robinson’s aunt Tina Hicks, father Anthony Robinson, Neiko Robinson, Black McCall, McCall’s mother Kristi Crawford, (back) Northview Athletic Director Gary Mattes, Head Coach Sid Wheatley, and Coach Derek Marshman NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “Area Football Stars Commit On National Signing Day”

  1. KyLeigh on February 9th, 2013 11:19 am

    So proud of my Brother!! I love you Blake!

  2. Janice on February 8th, 2013 4:41 pm

    Neiko, SO PROUD you stuck with the Nittany Lions!!!! I am a born and raised PSU fan!!!! I KNOW YOU’LL MAKE US PROUD!!!!!!!

  3. sandy on February 7th, 2013 11:22 pm

    Way to go Blake. Soooooooooooo proud of you

  4. Auntie Rose/ Alexis and Roshun on February 7th, 2013 1:42 pm

    Congrats to my nephew Neiko Robinson (Big Man). We are so very proud of you. Keep your head on straight and continue to believe in yourself. Don’t look back- keep it moving forward. Keep you grades up because knowledge is POWER.

  5. Apryl on February 7th, 2013 10:28 am

    So excited for you Blake and very proud of you! You have grown into a wonderful young man, God bless you! Love Apryl, lil frank, & Jesse!

  6. ms k on February 7th, 2013 8:55 am

    Go Neiko, play hard, keep a level head and get the best education u can get most of all. Time to walk in a grown man’s shoes. Be the best you can be!!!!! Congrats Blake!!

  7. G M on February 7th, 2013 6:26 am

    I have never seen such a beam coming out of Anthony. Proud papa. Congrats all, good luck at the next level.

  8. women of god on February 6th, 2013 9:49 pm

    Ha nephew me and your uncle is soo proud of you. First of all thank God, and then thank your father for being there for you through hard times. Your little brother kale needs you and nenio to make it for him. Show the people around here that said you want be nothing; what a real man can do. We love you!!!!!!!!! make us proud.

  9. Century on February 6th, 2013 8:42 pm

    Go put on for C-Town Neiko. Make your city proud. You know we built ford tough in Century. And Congratulaions Blake!! Do your thing. State Champs baby. Make them
    know where you came from.

  10. Proud Chief on February 6th, 2013 7:35 pm

    Blake, soooo proud!!!! You are like a son to us. We know you will do well. Nieko go make us CHIEF fans proud!

  11. The Baggetts on February 6th, 2013 6:18 pm

    Congratulations to both of these young men. What a great opportunity this is for you! No matter where you go though, you’ll always be a Northview Chiefs State Champion 2012.

  12. Well on February 6th, 2013 5:59 pm

    Congratulations to both young men. I am sure they will make the home town proud.

  13. cynthia jay on February 6th, 2013 5:34 pm

    Way to go BB (Big Blake) so proud of you, cant wait to see you play. Love Aunt Michele and Uncle Jimmy

  14. kalli on February 6th, 2013 4:43 pm

    Good job boys… congrats! Making pensacolians proud! :) keep it up yall

  15. LeeAnna & Robert McCall on February 6th, 2013 4:14 pm

    Blake,
    We are so very proud of you and your success!!! You have everything in life to look forward to. Nothing is beyond your reach. We love you with all of our hearts!!!
    <3 Daddy, Danielle, AshLynn & KyLeigh

  16. Vicki on February 6th, 2013 3:03 pm

    My Nephew, Blake! You GO, baby!

  17. Northender43 on February 6th, 2013 3:00 pm

    Neiko – Make sure you pack plenty of long-johns. It is COLD up there. Congrats!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports