College bound: 10 EHS athletes sign on National Signing Day

It’s that time of year again and on Feb. 3 – 2021’s National Signing Day – 10 Enterprise High School athletes signed letter-of-intent to accept scholarship offers from various colleges around the country.

In total, three EHS baseball players, four football players, one cross country runner, a soccer player and one softball player signed with colleges.

EHS softball player Kyleigh Coin overcame adversity throughout her college career to ink a scholarship with Shelton State University in Tuscaloosa. After Coin moved to Enterprise from Iowa her sophomore year she suffered a serious knee injury and then last year COVID-19 prematurely ended her junior campaign.

“In her three year she’s gone through a lot of adversity,” Enterprise softball coach Kate (Benton) Stump said. “Her sophomore year she tore her ACL in game four of the season and then last year COVID hit.

“She has gone through a lot but here we are and I don’t think anyone could have handled it better mentally than she has.”

In her two years, so far, at EHS she boats a .367 batting average and has belted five home runs along with 22 RBIs despite limited games.

“One thing I’ve learned about Kyleigh is she will never give up on something,” Stump said. “She works extremely hard and I could not be more proud of (her) and everything (she) has gone through. (She) handled this very well for a kid (her) age. I’m so excited to see what she can do at Shelton State and during her senior year here.”

Coin said while signing her letter-of-intent in front of the school felt a bit strange, it was still an exciting moment.

“It was awkward but it was exciting,” she said. “I’m excited to leave Enterprise and go to college. It made me excited for the future.”

Coin received an offer from Shelton State after head coach Buddy Boyle saw her at a softball camp.

“Coach Boyle really made it feel like a home environment and the visit went really well and it just felt like home to me,” Coin said.

Stump was a star at Troy and assistant coach

Coin said she expects to play third base at Shelton State and that her goal is to get to a four-year college but she also has more simple goals.

“I want to get to a four-year, that’s one of the biggest goals but I just want to have fun and experience the college experience, too,” Coin said.

EHS baseball’s Trey Cavanaugh, Logan Fleming and Parker Sessions all signed junior college scholarship offers. Cavanaugh will be headed to Southern Union Community College in Opelika, Sessions will be playing at Central Alabama Community College (CACC) in Alexander City and Fleming will be staying home at Enterprise State Community College.

“These guys have been really good for us the past several years,” EHS assistant baseball coach Scotty Burdeshaw said. “One thing that really jumps out is that all three of them are tremendous leaders.

“They really set a great example for our younger guys and what it means to be a Wildcat and how to carry yourself on a daily basis.”

Cavanaugh has gone 2-2 as a starter on the mound with a 2.45 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He was selected to compete in the AHSAA All-Star Baseball game in 2020 as well as the Alabama Baseball Coaches All-Star Game.

Cavanaugh said that despite receiving multiple offers from other schools it only took one visit to know Southern Union is where he wanted to be.

“This summer I played on a team in Troy and there was one guy (former Opp player Logan Ross) that talked about (Southern Union) all the day about how great it and nice it is,” Cavanaugh remembered. “I visited three or four other schools but when I went there I immediately said this is where I want to be.

“We got in the car and didn’t even leave beore we went back in and told them I’m ready to commit.”

Fleming has a 1-1 record as a starter on the mound with a 3.00 ERA in 16 1/3 innings pitched. Fleming said staying close to home was a big advantage of signing with ESCC.

“It’s in my hometown and I get to stay with my family and they have a great baseball program there,” Fleming said. “The coach is a really great guy, too.

“I’ve always heard great things about ESCC – not just from my coaches – and that was a big influence on me, just meeting the coach and going in the bullpen for him was a big factor.”

At 6-foot-4-inches, Fleming already has advantage over many pitchers but he said he hopes to put on more weight in college and that one of his bigger goals is getting his pitch up to 90 mph.

Sessions is Enterprise’s leadoff hitter and has boasted a .301 batting average in his career with a .433 on-base percentage and a .975 fielding percentage. Parker was selected to play in the 2020 AHSAA All-Star Baseball Game.

Sessions said that he expects to play shortstop or second base at CACC and the school’s location was a big factor for him.

“It just felt like a perfect fit for me,” Sessions said. “It’s not too far from home and in a good location not too far from Montgomery, not too far from Troy and I’m right on Lake Martin. When I went up there I really liked the coach and I’m just real excited.”

Enterprise football’s Josh McCray signed with the University of Illinois, Carson Cole signed with Point University in Georgia, Jaylon Webster signed with the University of West Alabama in Livingston and Jared Smith signed with the University of West Florida in Pensacola.

“These four are just such good people, they’re easy to coach, they’re respectful, they’re good students and they are reaping what they sowed,” Enterprise football coach Rick Darlington said. “They are reaping their rewards. We love them, we’re proud of them and we look forwards to see what they do in the future.”

McCray was one of the most productive players in EHS history totaling more than 3,000 all-purpose yards during his career and 43 touchdowns. He was a three-time member of the three-time Southeast Sun Elite 11 All-Around Player of the Year along with being a two-time ASWA All-State member, 2020 Dothan Eagle Super 12 and 2020 Rivals Camp MVP.

During his time at Enterprise, McCray has played at running back, receiver, safety, linebacker and been a kick returner. That versatility is the thing that really sticks out to Darlington.

“Josh is maybe the most talented guy I’ve ever been around but I will tell you this, he is definitely the most versatile player I’ve ever had,” Darlington emphasized. “He could have started on defense, he can throw it, he can run it, he can catch it and he can return kicks. He fills up the stat sheet.”

McCray chose Illinois over offers from SEC schools like Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina.

“I was on Ole Miss and Kentucky kind of hard and was pushing towards Ole Miss but they wanted me to play defense,” McCray said of his recruitment. “Kentucky wanted me to play running back, so I was going between those two. Illinois came into the mix and they said I could be a running back, too.

“That’s what I want to do, I want to be an offensive player. I want the ball in my hands, I feel like I can make some plays.”

After McCray hit it off with Illinois coach Bret Bielema he decided heading to the Big 10 was what he wanted to do.

“It feels amazing right now,” McCray said of signing his letter-of-intent. “So much is going through my head right now, I’m just excited.”

McCray said that he actually prefers the cold over the Southern heat and that he has an aunt that lives near the campus that will help him when he gets home sick. He also said that his biggest emphasis when he arrives at Illinois will be getting stronger and faster.

“I just want to get stronger in the weight room,” McCray emphasized. “I know I have to get big heading up there and taking all those big hits. I have to get myself ready for it and I have to keep building up my speed.”

Illinois coach Brett Bielema said that one of his former running backs at Wisconsin, Melvin Gordon, came from the high school that Enterprise defensive coordinator Jed Kennedy was coaching at previously. That connection helped the recruitment process start for McCray at Illinois.

“Jed called me (after I was hired) and when he said right away that he had another running back he thought I should take a look at it peaked my interest,” Bielema said. “He’s a really talented guy, very physical player and he has a lot of skills not just at the running back position but you’ll also see him catch the ball and there’s some things he can do in the kicking game. I think he’s a really dynamic player.”

Cole – known by his teammates as “Pookie” – was one of the surprises of 2020 for Enterprise as he went from a non-starter in 2019 to starting all 11 games at four different positions on the offensive line. While Cole said his mullet gives him super powers, it was his work in the weight room that really paid off.

“He’s a really versatile player,” Darlington said. “He’s our strongest player that squats well over 500 pounds. He was able to take that success in the weight room and parlayed that into success on the field. (Point) is getting a very versatile guy but like all these other guys they’re also getting a good young man.”

Cole boasted an 84 percent blocking grade in 2020 and earned 23 pancake blocks. Cole said that he’s dreamed about college football his entire life and the family atmosphere at Point is what swayed him.

“It’s something you always dream about as a kid, to get the opportunity to play college football is so great,” Cole said. “I went on a visit and it just felt like family up there. Everyone embraced me and welcomed me and made it feel like home.”

Cole said that Enterprise offensive line coaches Jackson Hanson and Keaton Wilson have been for him during his EHS career.

“They’ve been big for me on the field and off,” Cole said. “They’ve been role models off the field and my best friend is Coach Wilson’s daughter. They’ve helped me through a lot of stuff.”

Enterprise safety Jaylon Webster – known as “Webby” or “J-Web” by his teammates and coaches – will be attending West Alabama after recording 168 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four interceptions, one touchdown, 21 pass breakups and six blocked kicks during his Wildcat career. He was also the 2020 Southeast Sun Elite 11 Defensive Player of the Year and 2019 VTO Sports All-American Regional Camp Defensive Back MVP.

“Jaylon is another versatile guy that can play corner or safety and is a very fast, dedicated track athlete,” Darlington said. “Webby is a guy that is very fast and a very good tackler and just a really good defensive back. West Alabama is a good place to go in state and a good school that he will do really well at.”

Webster said that the success of former West Alabama turned NFL stars like Malcolm Butler and Tyreek Hill weighed on his mind as he chose to attend the school.

“When I went on the visit that’s all they talked about up there,” Webster said. “I know it’s not like me going to a JUCO and then having to go to a four-year school. I’m already at a Division II school that has put out NFL players. I feel like it’s a great spot to lead me to where I want to go.”

Jared Smith was yet another versatile Wildcat having been a starter at both tight end and receiver. Smith caught 66 passes for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns along with 213 yards and four touchdowns rushing during his Enterprise career. He was a member of the 2020 Elite 11 and the 2021 Blue-Gray All-American Bowl MVP after exploding for 222 yards and four touchdowns in that game.

While Mercer made a late push to sign Smith after his outburst at the Blue-Gray game, he decided on West Florida in Pensacola. Darlington said that Smith was one of the players he worried about falling through the cracks of recruiting due to the limited nature of it during the pandemic.

“I think sometimes he gets stereotyped in a way and I don’t think people really understand how talented he is and specifically how fast he is,” Darlington said. “He’s a blazing 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy that is laser timed at 23 mph. When he gets down there at West Florida he will standout.”

Smith said it was easy to see himself playing at West Florida when he visited.

“It just felt like home at West Florida going down there and visiting,” Smith said. “The surrounding area is really nice and Coach (Pete Shinnick) is a really good coach, a winning coach.

“I could see myself there working out every day and going to class. It’s just a great atmosphere down there.”

Webster and Smith will have the opportunity to line up on opposing sides in college as West Alabama and West Florida are rivals in the Division II Gulf South Conference.

“It’s going to be good and it will be something to watch,” Webster said of facing off against his teammate and friend. “The (Enterprise) coaches have already been talking about coming to that game and I’m ready for it.

“Me and Jared have been battling at practice throughout the years but have never had that feeling of playing against each other in a game. It’s going to be a site to watch.”

Smith said that he was also looking forward to matching up against Webster.

“I think it will be really cool,” Smith said. “I was talking about that the other day with J-Web. It will be really nice playing against one of my former teammates.”

Enterprise cross country runner Natalie Warner will be heading to the University of Montevallo to compete in both cross country and track. At EHS she set a school record of 5:44 in the 1600-meter run and a school-record of 12:17 in the 3200-meter run.

“She’s a hard worker, that’s a big understatement when it comes to Natalie and she is dedicated to improving herself as an athlete, a student and as an artist,” Enterprise cross country coach Chris Rodgers said. “She is an outstanding young lady, extremely honest and committed but more importantly is a friend. She has been a friend to all of her teammates.”

Warner said that signing to compete in college was a special moment for her.

“It was, I don’t want to say surreal, but it felt nice to know that my hard work was finally paying off,” Warner said. “It just felt rewarding.”

Warner said that she will work to get her 5K time down in college and will work towards a history or literate degree with hopes of studying abroad in France, as well.

Finally, EHS soccer player Ashlyn Purvis signed with Huntingdon College after earning six goals, four assists and 190 steals during her career thus far. She was a member of the Dothan Eagle Super 12 in 2019 and was the school’s defensive MVP in 2018.

“She is the type of player that most coaches wish they could clone or have four of five of each year,” Enterprise soccer coach Jill Harrelson said. “She works just as hard at practice as she does on game day. She will be extremely had to replace next year.

“She’s a leader on and off the field and is an example not only for her other nine seniors but everyone that plays with her can look up to her.”

Purvis said that Huntingdon felt like he right fit for her.

“It was really great. I was nervous the whole time but I’m so glad to say I can finally sign,” Warner said of signing her letter-of-intent. “I had a few other schools but I just felt like it was the right fit for me academically and athletically.

“It’s a smaller school so there are more chances for me to get on the field (early) and academically I’m able to get some scholarships there, too.”