Nayadley adds to Ringgold’s OL legacy

National Signing Day has become a busy one for Ringgold High School in recent years, especially when it comes to offensive linemen.

Current senior Cade Nayadley became the eighth Ringgold trenchman to sign college scholarship papers in the past five seasons when he signed his letter of intent with Division I (FCS) Jacksonville State in front of a huge crowd of well-wishers at Ringgold on Wednesday.

Nayadley had played some offensive line in the past, but was a defensive lineman for his first two seasons at Ringgold. He switched to tight end at the start of his senior campaign and caught 10 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown in six games.

However, when the Tigers changed things to a more run-based attack midway through this past season, Nayadley moved to the offensive trenches and the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder had 18 knockdown blocks and did not allow a single sack in five games.

“(Assistant) Coach (Chase) Fleming worked with me a lot during the offseason on stuff,” Nayadley said. “I also went to a bunch of college camps over the summer to get my name out there a little bit and Coach Fleming helped with that too. I just have to keep working and learning and getting stronger to become a better lineman.”

“Cade has really developed into a great offensive lineman, but he’s got feet like a tight end,” Akins continued. “When people came in to recruit him, we showed them a lot of film of him playing basketball with just a little bit of football mixed in. That way they could see him play point guard, see his feet and see how he moved. When they saw that, they immediately fell in love with him.”

Fleming concured thatt it was Nayadley’s agility on the court that sold a lot of college football programs on his senior standout.

“He just has unbelievable athleticism,” Fleming stated. “Any guy that is 6-4, 270 pounds, plays point guard and can bring the ball down the floor like he can, offensive line coaches just drool over that. That was really a big selling point in his recruiting, plus the fact that he’s only played offensive line for about eight months.

“I know Jacksonville State is going to start him out as a tackle, but I could see him moving into the interior of the line and being a guy that can play all five positions (on the line).”

“It’s a great day,” Nayadley added. “Playing Division I sports is something I’ve always dreamed of. It just feels great. They’re just family there (at Jacksonville State). I really like the coaches, too. It just felt like home to me and it’s just a great football program that they’ve got going.

“I’m an unselfish player and I work hard. I’m going to do what they ask me to do and I think I can eventually become a good offensive lineman there. I just have to work hard in the weight room and give them all I got.”

Nayadley said he hadn’t decided on a major, but is wanting to stay in the realm of sports in some way.