Myreon Lowe, Caleb Steele and LaDavion Johnson have never been far from home for long. But beginning next fall the Southeast High senior football players will be more than 1,300 miles away.
Try Iowa.
Lowe and Steele signed letters of intent Wednesday with William Penn University in rural Oskaloosa, named after Ouscaloosa, a Creek Indian princess who, according to lore, married famed Seminole chief Osceola.
The trio were among many Manatee School District athletes who made their commitments public on National Signing Day.
“It’s going to be a new adventure,” said Lowe, a linebacker. “See new things. Meet new people. Ultimately help me become a better player, better person.”
It’s already been a new adventure for Johnson, who signed with Clarke University in metropolitan Dubuque.
“Saw snow for the first time,” said the Noles’ wideout-running back.
They should see a lot of it from November to March, but they’re game.
In fact, when Lowe decided on William Penn, Steele did, too.
“We’ve been friends since freshman football. I could’ve gone anywhere, but once I got the opportunity to play ball with my brother, I gotta take that.”
That support system matters, said the Noles’ lineman.
“When we get homesick, one of us will have to tell the other, ‘Hey, man, we gotta keep working. We gotta keep our heads level. We got somewhere to be.’”
Especially before dawn, Lowe said.
“We gotta wake up 5 a.m. for practice? If I don’t want to wake up, he’ll make me wake up. We’ll hold each other accountable.”
Head Coach Curt Bradley had input in their football decisions and financial ones, too.
“When it’s not a D-1 full scholarship, there’s lots to contend with – academic money, football money. They don’t want to put themselves in financial handcuffs for the future.
“It’s important for some of these young men to leave home, though it is quite a ways and cold,” added the grinning Northern Iowa alum. “But they had 100% attendance in offseason workouts and regular practices. They’ve been raised in great families. They’re great kids. These guys are going to make it.”
Coincidentally, they’ll be opponents, too. Both teams play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
“That’s going to be fun,” Johnson said. “I’ll be in touch with them, see how they’re doing. But when that game comes? Gonna be a different story.”
Lowe gets it.
“He’s going to try to run me over.”
Southeast’s other signees were Jaeda Dean, State College of Florida (volleyball); Liam Fernandez, SUNY Maritime College (football); Jayden Fields, Webber University (football); Layla Holmbeck, SCF (volleyball); and Annabelle Kemper, Hollins University, Virginia (volleyball).
· Parrish Community High’s signees were Wesley Anderson, SCF (baseball); Vincent Barry, Lake Sumter State (baseball); Stefani Cannon, Delaware State (golf); Mia Davis, SCF (beach volleyball); Alex Eldredge, Stetson University (football); Baylee Fields, Lake Sumter State (softball); Logan Goelz, Lynn University (men’s track); Bianca Grindo, Troy University, Alabama (women’s track); Caleb Hoch, Jefferson Community College, New York (baseball); Maya Krone, Fairmont State, West Virginia (golf); Caiden Lee, West Point (football); Ana Martinez, Pfeiffer University, North Carolina (soccer); Mykaila Mazner, University of Memphis (cheerleading); Evan Roberts, Jacksonville University (basketball); and Jair Speak, Webber University (football).
· Manatee’s signees were Xander Arias, Camp Community College, Virginia (baseball); Ronin Dangler, Mercer University, Georgia (football); Andrew DesErmia, Clarkson University, New York (lacrosse); Zyaire Green, Seton Hill University, Pennsylvania (football); Ashton Hovda, West Florida (baseball); Gavin Nuzzo, Northwood University, Michigan (lacrosse); Jordan Roberts and Brian Rodriguez, Essex College, Maryland (baseball); Logan Rogers, Furman University, South Carolina (football); and Sean Wilson, Thomas University, Georgia (football).
· Palmetto’s signees were Le’lani Cruz, Polk State (softball); Kyron Davis, New Mexico Highlands (football); Rudy Hernandez, LSU-Shreveport (weightlifting); and Paul Moore Jr., Bethune Cookman (football).
· Bayshore’s signees were Kary Alexis, Thomas University, Georgia (football); and Jordan Greene, Warner University (baseball).
· Braden River High had no signees, said Athletic Director Matt Nessler.
· Lakewood Ranch will hold its signing day in April, said Athletic Director Kent Ringquist.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN’S PEOPLE: For Southeast High football trio, adventure awaits in Iowa
Reporting by Vin Mannix, Special to the Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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