Choctaw County’s Whitmore, Coleman ready for next step
ACKERMAN – Arkansas State lost a pair of area high school football standouts on Wednesday when Starkville High School’s Rufus Harvey and Tyrese Hopkins decided to flip their commitment to in-state universities.
Choctaw County High School linebacker Israel Whitmore did not follow that path as he remained true to the Red Wolves.
Whitmore said the Arkansas State coaches stayed in constant contact with him and that eased his mind. The values that the Jonesboro-based school possesses helped him feel good about his decision.
“It’s not easy to find a college that has a Christian-based coach and Christian-based facility, so that’s the perfect place to be,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore celebrated his signing with the Red Wolves on Thursday with family, friends and coaches at the school library. Fellow Charger Kendall Coleman Jr., also put pen to paper and joined Jones County Junior College.
The signing ceremony was delayed one day because of weather concerns that forced school to close early on Wednesday, but Choctaw County head coach Jeff Roberts said it was definitely worth the wait to see the smile on the faces of Whitmore and Coleman.
“Anytime you can get your college paid for, that’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “They are both going to good places. I’m really familiar with the Arkansas State staff and the Jones staff, so you can’t ask for a better situation for them to be walking into. I’m definitely proud of them.”
Just as Whitmore was impressed with his visit to Arkansas State, Coleman was sold on Jones upon his trip to Ellisville.
“I knew after the first day that me and my mom visited that it’s a place I’d like to call home,” Coleman said. “The academics, sports and campus environment was impressive.”
Coleman began his high school career at French Camp, then transferred right down the road to Choctaw County.
After using his athletic ability to help the Chargers and Panthers over the last few years, Coleman is ready for the next chapter with the Bobcats.
“It’s a long journey, but it’s not over yet,” Coleman said. “It was a learning experience for me and I don’t want to take that lightly.”