Signing Day at Highland Springs (Video Still: Byron Jones/recruit804)
Four Springers officially sign Division I scholarships
by Byron Jones, recruit804
Signing Day has become an official holiday at Highland Springs.
Over the past three seasons, the Springers have produced 18 Division I signees. On Wednesdays, Kelvin Gilliam (Oklahoma), Damond Harmon (Oklahoma), Jamareeh “Bugg” Jones (Boston College), and Jordan Jackson (Saint Francis) officially signed their national letters of intent to play Division I football next fall.
This signing day was different than in years past due to COVID-19. Typically, their ceremony is held in the auditorium or gymnasium at the high school, but Wednesday’s ceremony took place at the American Legion building a few miles up the road.
Springers Head Coach Loren Johnson began the ceremony in typical fashion, delivering a captivating message that drew several “amens” from those in attendance. “The standard for us is the standard. Don’t get to school and go backwards,” stated Johnson. “We’re talking academically, socially, and we’re talking football wise.”
He continued, “You are the thermostat not the thermometer. When you go to school, you don’t change what other people are doing. You set the tone for what you’re doing from the school that you are coming from.”
Below is a recap of the signees along with video from the ceremony.
Kelvin Gilliam (2021 DE 6-3 250)
Gilliam accrued close to 40 Division I scholarships from programs across the country. He chose the Sooners over South Carolina and Penn State. As a junior, Gilliam tallied 45 total tackles (37 solo), 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and a forced fumble. He earned first team All-Region 5B and second team All-State honors.
Damond Harmon (2021 DB 6-1 180)
Harmon committed to the Sooners back on August 1st. He chose Oklahoma over finalists Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Penn State. Harmon notched 44 tackles (22 solo), five interceptions, one of which he housed for a touchdown, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 2019. He was a second team All-Region 5B selection at defensive back last fall.
Jamareeh Jones (2021 ATH 6-0 190)
Jamareeh announced his commitment to Boston College in September, picking the Eagles over offers from West Virginia, UNC, Pitt, and Vanderbilt. Jones will likely play defensive back at the collegiate level. In his lone season as the starting quarterback, he led the Springers to an 11-1 record and completed 70 of his 109 pass attempts for 973 yards (67%), ten touchdowns, and six interceptions. On the ground, Jones rushed for 544 yards on 94 carries and added an additional 15 touchdowns.
Jordan Jackson (2021 RB 5-10 215)
Jackson announced late last week that he would be taking his talents to Saint Francis University. He held additional offers from West Virginia State University, Hampden-Sydney, and Culver-Stockton College. He had received additional interest from VMI, UT Chattanooga, and Townson University. Jordan rushed for 703 yards on 102 carries (9.0ypc) and recoded eight scores. He earned second team All-Region 5B honors last fall.
– Byron Jones
*Jabari Parker announced that he would be accepting a preferred walk-on opportunity at Virginia Tech. There will be a separate article with video to accompany his commitment. *
