Every February, the college football nation waits anxiously as the football stars of tomorrow make their college choices known to the world on National Signing Day.
It’s a special day for high school football stars and their families as they jump from their small ponds into the big ocean that is college football.
For the fans, it’s a national holiday as they gather by their televisions or laptops to catch which kids have joined their favorite schools.
As signing day rapidly approaches, current Panthers took a trip down memory lane and reflected on their signing day experiences.
“I started playing football when I was 5-years-old, and the ultimate dream was always to go to the next level and play college football,” current freshman Kyler Neal said. “And that was the day it came true.”
Neal’s signing day decision didn’t call for all the fireworks.
“I was actually committed to Georgia State since December,” he said. “I really liked what was going on here.”
Freshman tight end Keith Rucker remembers his signing day being special because he was surrounded by friends and family.
“What I remember most would just be being with all the guys I finished up my high school career with,” Rucker said. “and just my family being there to show me their support and that’s when it meant the most.”
Rucker said his decision wasn’t made on signing day but that he had made his decision a week before.
Bill Teknipp, also a tight end, had similar memories of signing day.
Teknipp, a McDonough native, said his family and friends were excited about him staying close to home.
Teknipp said made his decision to play for the Panthers well before signing day during his official visit.
“I had a talk with my dad and I told him I was going to verbally commit that Sunday, Teknipp said. “There was no second thoughts on it.”
Teknipp also had a little advice of his own to the high school players struggling to make their decisions.
“Don’t make the decision strictly off football, school is more important in the long run, I mean football will eventually end, an education is more important,” Teknipp said.
High school athletes still have a short time to look into every detail before making a decision on a potential college.
