Versatile McCallie star Rivers picks Memphis
With a pedigree for putting its skill position players in the best spots to make big plays, the University of Memphis looks to be a perfect fit for McCallie’s Eric Rivers, who as an upperclassman helped the Blue Tornado win back-to-back TSSAA Division II-AAA state championships.
Since 2014, the Tigers have been the state’s most successful NCAA Division I football program with a record of 65-27, and they have had 11 athletes go on to play in the NFL. In that time, Memphis has won no fewer than eight games each season, and the Tigers reached 12 wins two seasons ago as they won the American Athletic Conference and earned a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.
As a senior, Rivers had 25 catches for 509 yards and seven touchdowns plus 23 carries for 231 yards and three scores, and he also threw for 87 yards and two scores. In the state title game, he accounted for three touchdowns as McCallie won 44-0.
“Memphis is a great program that has been very successful for a while now,” Rivers said. “I wanted to be a part of something special. I like how they spread the ball around and put up a lot of points. I am excited to see where I will be playing and can contribute to the team.”
North Murray star will play for Army
Dante Tidwell’s versatility stood out during a stellar prep career at North Murray, and it’s likely to follow him to his next stop at Army. The two-way star committed to the service academy’s football program last week after rushing for 877 yards and 16 touchdowns, catching 24 passes for 546 yards and six scores, returning two punts for touchdowns and intercepting five passes as one of the top cornerbacks in northwest Georgia.
Tidwell, a Times Free Press Best of Preps firstteam defense selection, told Black Knight Nation he could play on both sides of the ball at West Point.
“I was told I might play cornerback as well as running back,” Tidwell told the publication. “All over, I think. My speed is a key factor and in the open field making opponents miss. I ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.”
Christian Heritage has record class
On the heels of its most successful football season, Christian Heritage School had five seniors sign national letters of intent Wednesday, with that group led by two-way star Evan Lester.
Lester, also a four-year starter in basketball, will play tight end or receiver at Georgia Southern after also starring at defensive back for the Lions, who earned their first GHSA region championship during a 10-win season in 2020. The Best of Preps first-team defender was joined during Wednesday’s signing ceremony for the Dalton private school by linebacker Ben Williamson, who signed with Virginia-Wise University, and three future Shorter University Hawks: receiver/defensive back Bryce Farmer, defensive lineman Trey Kruse and linebacker Ben Williamson.
“I’m just so proud of this group of seniors,” CHS coach Jay Poag said. “They really bought into what we asked them to do four years ago, and they certainly saw the fruits of their labor on the field the past three years. Each of these five is special in his own way. They are going to be successful not only on the field but also on the campuses.
“The bar for Christian Heritage football has been set very high thanks to these seniors.”
Hawks secure huge haul of area stars
Shorter will enter the 2021 football season with 23 players from the seven counties in the TFP’s Georgia coverage area after announcing seven signees from that region Wednesday. The CHS trio of Farmer, Krus and Williamson are joined by two of the area’s most productive linebackers in Heritage’s Zach Brown and Ridgeland’s Jeremiah Turner, plus a pair of offensive linemen who helped pave the way for strong ground games in Ringgold’s Scott Clinton and Calhoun’s Reed Randall.
Rambler finds new home in Pittsburgh
A recent coaching change at Arkansas State University threw Jamario Clements’ college plans up in the air. The LaFayette running back, who had 992 yards and 17 touchdowns in just seven games in 2020, had 14 other scholarship offers at the time of Butch Jones’ hiring, including Air Force, Army, Navy, Cornell, Lehigh and Bucknell.
The TFP Dynamite Dozen member found his home Wednesday, signing with Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University, a Football Championship Subdivision program and Northeast Conference member.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@ timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon. Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@ timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.