Scrapper signees Leonard Snell, Terell Grundy, Troy Thomas and Joel Thurman sit with their now former coaching staff that consists of Brian Bearden, Brad Chesshir, Head Coach Mike Volarvich, AJ Whitmore, Nick Evans, and DJ Graham.
Snell, Grundy, Thomas, and Thurman signed their letters of commitment to Henderson State University, Southern Arkansas University and Langston University – respectively – on Wednesday during a signing ceremony at the Nashville High School cafeteria in front of coaches, family, friends and teammates.
LUKE REEDER
Sports Reporter
NASHVILLE – Wednesday four student athletes from the Nashville High School football team decided to further their academic and playing careers by committing to a university.
Standout players Joel Thurman, Leonard Snell, Terell Grundy and Troy Thomas signed to their respective universities in front of their family, friends and entire football coaching staff and team.
Head Coach Mike Volarvich spoke highly of each player during the ceremony saying that the decision to choose where to go to college was one of if not the biggest decisions the players had made up to this point in their lives, “It’s a big day for them and it was a big decision for all of them. Where you are going to school is one of the biggest decisions you are going to have in your life that affects the rest of your life. This was one of the first big life decisions they have had and I am proud of all four of them.”
Star quarterback and offensive phenom Leonard Snell committed to Henderson State University where his now head coach used to be the offensive coordinator. Under Volarvich this season Snell had one of the best statistical seasons in the state, “Leonard carried us on his back all year. He had probably statistically one of the best seasons of any player in the state. We are really going to miss his competitiveness and his explosiveness on the offensive side of the football,” Volarvich explained.
Snell contributed much of his decision to commit to Henderson State to his head coach saying that the familiarity of the system run at Henderson compared to the system he played in at Nashville spurred him towards becoming a Reddie,
“Henderson was a place I wanted to be. With them doing such a similar offense that we run here (Nashville) and having Coach V who came from Henderson just made it feel like a perfect fit for me,” Snell said. Snell said after talking to some of the coaches from Henderson he is going to be playing in the slot receiver position, running back and wildcat quarterback and plans to major in either business or become a coach.
Big hitter Terell Grundy also signed with Henderson State University. Like Snell, Grundy attributes a big part of his decision to sign with Henderson with his Head Coach Mike Volarvich, “I decided to chose Henderson over the other schools because our head coach currently Mike Volarvich came from Henderson and he was a big part and contributed to the team. They run the same defense and I can get the education anywhere but Henderson just feels like home,” Grundy said.
Grundy says he plans to major in either law or sociology and believes he will play outside linebacker for Henderson.
Standout offensive lineman Joel Thurman signed with Langston University in Oklahoma. Thurman was a big part in setting up Snell’s plays this season with key blocks. Thurman decided to sign with the Langston Lions after a dream, “I had a dream about signing,”
Thurman explained. Thurman said he is not sure but may major in physical therapy and is not sure what position he will play but he knows it will be on the offensive line.
Lastly Troy Thomas commited to Southern Arkansas University. Thomas said it was a hard choice choosing where to sign but he knew SAU was where he belonged, “It was a hard decision, it was in the mix of Henderson, Arkansas Tech and Monticello but it felt at home. I like the family atmosphere they had and they treated me like I was already a player at SAU,” Thomas said. Thomas added he wants to either major in either Criminal Justice or some sort of Physical Education while at SAU.
With four seniors signing to three different universities, the Scrapper football season comes to a fitting end.
