Telegraph Staff Writer
Seven Bradford High School football players signed letters of intent on National Signing Day (Feb. 2), surpassing the five who signed last year.
“That was always our goal, to get kids into college, to give them this opportunity,” former BHS Head Coach Brian Tomlinson said.
Two signed with Division I FBS schools, with quarterback Amari Jones is taking his talents to FIU, while defensive back Jontez Williams is going to Iowa State University.
Linebacker Sincere Hankerson is going to Division II school Lenoir-Rhyne University (Hickory, North Carolina), while Babson Park’s Webber International University, an NAIA school, is getting three Tornadoes: offensive lineman Nathaniel Bowlan-Smith, linebacker Chris Strong and running back Isaiah Wilcox.
Wide receiver Triavez Hankerson will be attending Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Triavez Hankerson said of seven BHS players signing letters of intent. “Everybody isn’t signing today. Some people don’t get offers, or they aren’t good enough. I’m just thankful I’m one of them.”
Jones said, “It means a lot. We’ve all worked for this.”
Tomlinson, who returned to the school to watch the players sign during a ceremony in the BHS auditorium, said he and his staff made it a priority to change a mindset that was prevalent at the time of his hiring.
“When I got here, the stigma was, ‘No one goes to college from Bradford.’ They can’t say that anymore,” Tomlinson said.
Strong said, “It’s possible. Anything is possible.”
FBS Tornadoes
Dontae Balfour, a 2021 BHS graduate, signed with North Carolina last year. Bradford will add two more players to FBS schools, with Jones going to FIU and Williams going to Iowa State.
Williams will be joining the Big 12’s Cyclones as a defensive back. He recorded 27 tackles (12 solo) and had three interceptions in 2021, while also playing wide receiver and catching 34 passes for 653 yards and four touchdowns.
Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell, during a Feb. 2 press conference, said, “We evaluated Jontez’s film late in the recruiting process and were thoroughly impressed with the versatility and competitiveness he displayed, not only on the football field, but also as a basketball player.”
The 5-11, 185-pound DB described getting Iowa State’s offer as “amazing.”
“I’m really excited. I’m ready to get there and work,” Williams said.
Williams said the Iowa State coaches give off a “family vibe.” In describing his visit to Iowa State, he said, “Everything about the school is amazing.”
Seeing how Jack Trice is remembered on campus made an impression on Williams. Trice, for whom the stadium is named, was the only Black player on Iowa State’s 1923 team. The lineman was injured during his first game, which would prove to be his only game. He died several days after the game due to internal bleeding.
Iowa State is the only FBS school to have a football stadium named after an African-American.
Williams said he suspects the biggest transition for him will be “getting prepared for the college life.”
“I’m just ready to get there and see how it is,” he said.
Tomlinson believes Williams has what it takes to make his mark, saying, “He’s going to go and do good things there. They’re getting a tremendous athlete.”
Williams said this opportunity is what he’s worked for, but it’ll still almost be hard to believe when he suits up as a Cyclone for the first time.
“It’s going to feel surreal,” he said. “It’s going to be a dream I’m stepping into, but as reality.”
Playing college ball is the dream of so many. The FIU Panthers are making it come true for Jones, a 6-3, 205-pound quarterback.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid playing football,” Jones said, adding, “It’s hard to put into words how I’m feeling right now, but I’m excited.”
Jones said a couple of other schools were in the mix for his final choice, but FIU just proved to be the best fit for him after he made his visits and talked to his family.
He likes the fact that FIU is “in the heart of Miami,” saying, “Everything in Miami is nice.” What really helped him make his choice, though, was that FIU felt like a place that would feel like home. Like Williams, Jones, too, used the words “family vibe” in describing how he felt upon visiting his future school.
“I felt comfortable down there,” Jones said of his visit. “I didn’t feel like a recruit. I felt like I was already a part of the program.”
In one season at BHS (after playing the previous year at Valdosta High School in Georgia), Jones completed 148 of 262 passes for 2,287 yards and 19 touchdowns. He had only six interceptions.
Jones also rushed for 371 yards and seven touchdowns on 67 carries.
“When I look at my game, I think I can do it all,” Jones said. “I can run the ball. I can throw it.
“I’d probably say to get better at the next level, I’ve got to get bigger, stronger and faster. It’s not high school anymore. Everybody’s a grown man. I might be 18 playing with 22- and 23-year-olds.”
Tomlinson said, “He did great things on the field, but I think what FIU is getting is a tremendous leader as well.”
Jones can’t wait to start experiencing life as a college football player.
“I’m ready for it,” he said. “I’m just ready to get out there and get to work.”
Hankerson taking talents to Division II
Sincere Hankerson will be suiting up for the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. He’s looking forward to doing for them what he did for the Tornadoes as a 6-2, 216-pound linebacker/defensive end.
“I’m going to try to dominate just like I did here,” said Hankerson, who recorded 52 tackles (27 solo) for BHS in 2021 — fourth best on the team.
Hankerson is grateful for the opportunity, saying, “I’d like to thank God for giving me this chance. Without Him, this wouldn’t be possible. I’m just happy and excited I get to accomplish my dreams.”
Hankerson said he toured the Lenoir-Rhyne campus on Jan. 29. He liked what he saw of the classrooms and said he liked the weight room and cafeteria as well. Plus, he had the chance to eat with the whole coaching staff.
More than anything, the school just felt right.
“It felt like home,” Hankerson said.
Hankerson said the school’s coaches told him they like his physicality and his quick reaction times. In assessing what he needs to do to successfully transition to college ball, Hankerson said, “I need to improve my coverage skills and use my hands more.”
Tomlinson said Hankerson has “grown tremendously as a young man.” He expects Hankerson to keep working hard, while enjoying the game at the same time.
“Even when times get rough, he’s going to have that smile on his face,” Tomlinson said.
That smile will probably be even bigger when he steps onto the field for the first time as Lenoir-Rhyne Bear.
“It’s going to feel amazing,” Hankerson said.
Tornado trio at Webber International
Three of Bradford’s college signees won’t be total strangers to their soon-to-be college teammates as Nathaniel Bowlan-Smith, Chris Strong and Isaiah Wilcox will all be attending Webber International University in Babson Park, which is approximately 60 miles southwest of Orlando and 70 miles east of Tampa.
“I think that’s going to be huge, having three guys down there who’ll be able to lean on each other and understand what each one is going through and things like that,” Tomlinson said.
Strong said, “It feels good knowing I’m going to know people down there. I’m not going to be alone, really. I’m going to have a good environment. I’m going to be safe. I’m going to have people to trust.”
Bowlan-Smith, a 6-3, 245-pound offensive lineman, was interviewed about his signing and profiled in the Jan. 20 issue of the Telegraph-Times-Monitor. Tomlinson said it was fun to watch Bowlan-Smith, who transferred to Bradford his senior season, develop as a player after playing nothing but six-man football at Hope Christian Academy. The fact he’s getting a chance to play college after just one year of 11-man football is impressive.
“That says a lot about his work ethic,” Tomlinson said. “He had a goal, and he accomplished it.”
Strong, a 6-2, 200-pound linebacker, said it’s hard to believe he just signed a letter of intent and will soon become a college student-athlete.
“It’s like I was just in sixth grade,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
Strong, who recorded 50 tackles (32 solo) in 2021, is thankful for the opportunity, saying, “Not everybody gets this chance. I’m really blessed by the Lord, my family and my people for helping me get this opportunity.”
Webber coaches like how fast he gets off the ball and how hard he hits, Strong said. He believes his intensity and drive will be assets at the next level. When asked what he needs to work on, Strong said, “I think my (pass) coverage. I’m going to have to improve in that.”
Strong said success also depends upon him staying focused. He’s certainly focused now as he’s eagerly waiting to become a Webber Warrior.
“I want that time to come,” Strong said.
When reflecting upon his time to come, Wilcox, a 5-9, 180-pound running back, said, “It’s amazing just to continue my journey after high school.” He added, “It’s crazy. I’m just thankful.”
Wilcox, who rushed for 216 yards and one touchdown on 62 carries in 2021, said Webber was an attractive option because it’s in Florida and approximately two hours from home. He also likes the school’s offering of business classes as he intends to major in that field.
Webber coaches like his power and speed, Wilcox said, adding, “I need to get my legs stronger and get a little faster.”
So, what’s it going to feel like when he gets his first chance to put his skills on display as a Webber Warrior?
“It’s going to feel good,” Wilcox said.
In talking about Bowlan-Smith, Strong and Wilcox, Tomlinson said, “They’re not afraid to work. They’ll get dirty. They’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
Hankerson to join strong juco program
Triavez Hankerson, a 6-4, 187-pound receiver, will be going to El Dorado, Kansas, to become part of a program with quite a history of recent success. Butler Community College is the nation’s top junior college program since 1998 in terms of wins, winning percentage, national championships and final national rankings. The Grizzlies won national championships in 1998, 1999, 20l03, 2007 and 2008 and have been in the championship game nine times since 1998.
Hankerson admitted he was getting discouraged last season by the fact he wasn’t getting any offers, but they eventually came. Butler coaches made the trip to Starke to visit with him, which made an impression on Hankerson, who committed a couple of days before National Signing Day.
“That’s where I want to be at,” he said, adding, “It’s just a good feeling to have right now. I’m just ready to get everything started.”
Tomlinson said Hankerson, who caught nine passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns last season, has a skill set that could lead to great things in the future.
“Like I told several coaches during the recruiting process, his ceiling is way up there,” Tomlinson said. “I just think he’s scratched the surface. He’s going to do great things.”
Hankerson said Butler coaches like his size and speed. Now, he needs to work on getting stronger and even faster, he said.
When he thinks about what it’ll feel like the first time he steps onto the field as a college player, Hankerson said, “I’m going to be a little nervous. Probably after that first play, I’ll be good and ready to go.”
Tomlinson believes Hankerson will eventually have a first-time experience at another college after playing at Butler.
“In a couple of years, he’s going to have another signing day,” Tomlinson said. “Somebody’s going to get a good one.”
