Area athletes speak loud and clear by signing letters of intent

Five student-athletes signed their national letters of intent to play collegiate sports. Four football players - Greene Central's Brandon Sutton (Catawba College), North Lenoir's Ricky Jarman (Southern Virginia), South Lenoir's Justin Byrd (Campbell University) and South Lenoir's Matt Jones (Campbell University) - put pen to paper while South Lenoir's Stephanie Martin signed to play volleyball and softball at Pitt Community College.

Sutton, The Free Press defensive player of the year for the past two years, was the area's most highly-sought football player. He considered offers from Winston-Salem State, Coastal Carolina, Grambling State, North Carolina Central, Delaware, Maine, Elon and Western Carolina before settling on Catawba.

The 6-foot, 4-inch defensive end decided to become an Indian after making his first official visit in January. The visit came after a GC basketball game, where he is a starter for the Rams.

"I got up there about 1:30 in the morning," Sutton said. "The whole team was downstairs just to shake my hand before I went to bed. It really touched my heart, to tell you the truth. I was going somewhere I didn't know anyone and they really made me feel at home. It was an experience I won't forget."

Sutton was given a full scholarship to play for the Indians. His new coach, Chip Hester, is happy to have the big defensive end on his team which finished 6-4 in 2006.

"We sure know we're fortunate to get a player of his caliber on our team," Hester said. "I don't think we were surprised to get him, because we expect big things here at Catawba. We're happy to have him here."

Sutton's eventual goal is to play in the National Football League and he feels playing at Catawba will help him towards that end.

"My journey to the NFL will continue at Catawba," Sutton said.

GC coach Jim Bob Bryant, who has been in Snow Hill for four years after a sterling assistant career at Williamston High School, said Sutton is the best defensive lineman he's coached - and that includes three who have gone on to play at East Carolina University.

"Brandon's upside is so much greater than any of the other guys I've had," Bryant said. "He's got a frame he can put 30 more pounds on and he'll be 6-3, 250 and coming off that edge with a lot more power. With his work ethic in the weight room and on the football field, I don't see why that can't happen the first year."

Bryant said Sutton has earned his scholarship.

"This is the kind of like the paycheck he gets for all the hard work he's put in the weight room and classroom," Bryant said. "You can't pay high school or college athletes, but getting a full athletic scholarship for a four-year private school with an outstanding history like Catawba is outstanding. I'm truly happy for him and his mom."

Sutton may soon be joined by two GC teammates at Catawba; 2006 Free Press overall player of the year J.J. Thompson and first team All-Free Press wide receiver Harrison Walston worked out for Indians coaches on Wednesday in hopes of making the Catawba roster.

Jarman has been the first team All-Free Press kicker the past two seasons. He'll handle kicking and punting duties at SVU, which is located in Buena Vista, Va. The Knights were 3-7 in 2006.

Southern Virginia's starting kicker is set to graduate this spring, meaning Jarman has the opportunity to start for the Knights this fall.

"He's a dangerous kicker from the 45-yard line in," said SVU coach Gary M. Buer. "Out of the five kickers we had on our prospect board, he was No. 1."

Jarman just started punting this season for the Hawks, but made an immediate impact. In North Lenoir's 22-8 win at South Lenoir this season, Jarman pinned the Blue Devils within their own 10-yard line three times.

"That may be his best-kept secret, his ability to be a punter as well as a kicker," Buer said. "We have high expectations that he will do both well."

Jarman said he was impressed with the SVU coaches.

"They really impressed me with their coaching skills and how determined they are with everything they've got," Jarman said. "They've got a great coaching staff and the program is growing rapidly.

North Lenoir coach Wayne Jackson has seen many of his players go on to the collegiate level - but Jarman represents the first kicker.

"Ricky has worked extremely hard at his skill to earn this opportunity," Jackson said. "I'm very proud of him. I'm pretty sure Ricky is the first kicker ever at North Lenoir to sign to kick in college. It's an honor for Ricky and an honor for our school."

Jarman has a lot of irons in the fire. He's an accomplished singer and actor and was also a star on the soccer team. But playing football has always appealed to him.

"I'm really passionate about kicking," Jarman said. "I could kick on and on and never get bored of it. There's something promising about playing football; it's something I really love."

Martin is going to attempt to pull off a rare double - playing two collegiate sports. Pitt Community College volleyball coach William Way and softball coach Junior Bailey are both excited about having Martin on their teams.

Martin will be a defensive specialist on Way's volleyball team and play in the outfield on Bailey's softball team.

"Stephanie is going to bring intensity, energy and an ability for us to play better defense," said Way, whose team was 33-9 overall, 20-0 in Region 10. "Every ball she digs is going to help us play better on offense, which is becoming the trademark of our program."

Bailey said, "I first saw her in the state playoffs last year and you could tell by her determination that she's always going to play hard. Knowing she wanted to play volleyball, too, made her a good fit for us."

Martin considered offers from North Carolina Wesleyan and Mount Olive College. The appeal of playing two sports, though, is what swayed Martin to PCC.

"I'm pretty excited," Martin said. "I think this is going to push me to work even harder, but I like to work hard."

With four of her volleyball teammates headed to Lenoir Community College, Martin said the Lancers were never in her equation.

"They don't offer softball, so I didn't consider them," Martin said. "It's going to be hard playing against my old teammates next year, though."

Lisa Smith, who coaches Martin in volleyball and softball, said PCC is getting a gem.

"She's a very hard worker and very energetic," Smith said. "She's a great young lady who is willing to work hard to win."

Byrd is psyched about being on the first Campbell football team in 50 years. The Camels - then a junior college program - dropped its football team due to the Korean War.

Byrd visited Buies Creek on Saturday and left the campus impressed.

"I liked everything I saw," Byrd said. "I like what the coach's plan is. Going up there really made my decision for me."

Byrd rejected scholarship offers from Chowan College, Randolph-Macon and Averett University in Virginia to become a Fighting Camel.

"They've got big expectations and they're ready to get this program off the ground," Byrd said. "The facilities they're building are going to be top of the line. The uniforms and equipment are going to be the best. It's going to be a big deal. I'm proud to be a part of history."

Byrd, a two-time first-team All-Free Press linebacker, earned a reputation as a hard-hitting defender at South Lenoir.

"I liked having that reputation, but I always had guys behind me that helped me make those hits," Byrd said. "I had great teammates."

South Lenoir coach Casey Corey said Byrd also developed a reputation as a hard worker.

"The last two seasons, he fought back from injuries to become that force we needed in the middle of our defense," Corey said. "He was the kind of defensive player you can build around."

Due to NCAA regulations, Campbell coach Dale Steele was unable to comment on the signing of Jones.

Like his teammate, Byrd, Jones is looking forward to being around for the re-launch of the Campbell football program.

"That was really attractive to me, to be part of a program that hasn't existed for 50 years," Byrd said. "To be here from the very beginning makes me proud."

His team's starting quarterback and defensive back, Jones suffered a nasty shoulder injury (torn rotator cuff) with a couple of weeks left in the regular season. His rehabilitation is nearly complete and he said he'll be able to get the rotation back in his shoulder.

"It was a huge disappointment to miss the last two games and the playoffs," Jones said. "It was tough watching from the sideline."

Since Campbell won't field its team until the 2008 season, it will give Jones an opportunity to be fully healed.

"It's going to give me more time to get back to 100 percent," Jones said.

South Lenoir coach Casey Corey said Jones was a true asset to his Blue Devils.

"He would do anything we asked him to do," Corey said. "When I was asked what kind of kid Matt was, I said, 'You're going to get a hard-working kid and a kid who is dedicated to the game. First and foremost, you're going to get the best student in the world.'"

Jones said he is excited to be able to continue playing football with Byrd.

"I'm really looking forward to that," Jones said. "We've been good friends for a long time."

Due to NCAA regulations, Campbell coach Dale Steele was unable to comment on the signing of Jones.

Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at (252) 527-3191, Ext. 250, or at bhanks@freedomenc.com. Check out Bryan's blog at http://bhanks.encblogs.com.