Thousands upon thousands of high school football players have just signed college football scholarships. Included among those colleges are: Florida A&M, Texas Southern, South Carolina State, Hampton, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Alcorn State and Howard.

Also, Jackson State, Southern, Tennessee State, Savannah State, Praire View A&M, North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T, Norfolk State, Morgan State, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas Pine Bluff are all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), joined with other colleges to sign football players.

None of these schools signed a single player from Hillsborough County. Somebody needs to contact these schools and let them know that not only do we play football in this county, but we have some excellent athletes.

Grambling signed D. J. Williams, the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Doug Williams.

Bethune Cookman signed Quentin Williams, Dominic “Nick” Addison and Kevin Williams. I give Cookman an ‘A’ for recruiting in our county. Grambling a ‘C’ and all the other HBCUs a ‘F.’

Wilder-Williams Face Off
Plant High School’s James Wilder and Jefferson’s Quentin Williams did not face each other on the football field last season, but the two high school superstars faced off on the ballot for the honor of receiving the Black Diamond Award for the Top Amateur Male Athlete Of The Year award.

Jefferson’s Laurie Beatty and Sickles’ Amber Henson are the finalists for the Female Athlete Of The Year award.

All four of these athletes had outstanding seasons in their respective sports. While Wilder and Williams were football players, Henson and Beatty are basketball players.

The male and female winners will be announced on February 26th at the Annual Black Diamond Ceremony to be held at the Performing Arts Theater located on the campus of Howard W. Blake High School. The public is invited. The event starts at 5:45 p. m