Pirates and Mustangs make college choices

BRADEN RIVER — It was a historic morning at Braden River High, as nine football players signed scholarships on National Signing Day Feb. 3. 

Following a season in which the Pirates reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history, Braden River had four players sign with Division I schools with another five also signing letters-of-intent. 

Standing in front of family, friends and coaches in the school’s auditorium, Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman expressed his thanks to his teammates for making his dream a reality. 

“This year was a big closeout for us,” said Huesman, who signed with Appalachian State University. “To my boys, without you all, I couldn’t have done this. … We are BR.” 

Four years ago, Braden River was fortunate if a couple college scouts would make it out to the school. This past spring, this year’s senior class saw 54 scouts come to its campus — quite the turnaround for a team that went from 1-9 four years ago to 13-1 and a regional champion last season. 

Now, nine players who helped shape the Pirates program will prepare to take the next step in their careers.

“It’s not about wins and losses,” coach Curt Bradley said. “Its about shaping futures. It’s awesome to have the chance to watch them be able to continue their careers. 

At the end of the day, it’s huge,” Bradley said. “To be able to send these kids off is tremendous not only for them but for the future of the program. They are trailblazers. It shows that Braden River has football players and schools should come check us out because we have Division I talent. It opens so many doors and is huge for the program.” 

Alex Salguero 

Offensive lineman

Marshall University 

Signing Day Reaction: “I’m happy with where I am right now,” Salguero said. “It’s good. I don’t have to worry about colleges talking to me anymore. I just got chills thinking about it. My junior year I learned I was pretty good. Until then, I would just go with the flow. Then I got my first offer and that’s when I realized things have changed.” 

Why Marshall?: “It’s not huge, but it’s not too small,” Salguero said. “The coaching staff, the team and the campus are all great. I really like the offensive line coach and I can’t wait to learn from him.” 

Other options: Salguero had 15 other offers, including Western Kentucky University and Ohio University 

Jacob Huesman

Quarterback 

Appalachian State University 

Signing Day Reaction: “Once Appalachian State offered, I considered no other offers,” Huesman said. “I got the offer four weeks ago, so it was a quick turnaround. I wanted to get as much knowledge as I possibly could, so I did a ton of research. I got hyped in my head about Appalachian State and it didn’t go away. “I thought this is bad, so I slept on it and the next day I felt the same way. I felt like this is where I belong.” 

Why Appalachian State University?: “It’s just jaw dropping,” Huesman said. “I got a taste of it this weekend, and I didn’t want to come back and finish. I’m just extremely excited to get there and do all of the different things that you can’t do here.” 

Other Options: Huesman verbally committed to Florida International University back in July before deciding Appalachian State University was where he belonged. “The whole recruiting process was very stressful,” Huesman said. “It’s definitely a stressful time, but I feel like the decision that I made is hands down the best decision of my life.” 

On having tight end Ryan Neuzil there with him: “Ryan is a very good friend of mine, so there’s some peace in having someone from home. It’ll be nice to have a friend there.” 

Ryan Neuzil 

Tight End

Appalachian State University 

Why Appalachian State University?: “It’s beautiful,” Neuzil said. “It’s such a great school and then to add football on top of that is a good bonus.” 

Other Options: Air Force, Bucknell University and Northern Iowa 

What are you looking forward to the most about playing college football?: “I’m looking forward to creating a new bond with my teammates and creating something special up there.” 

On having Huesman there with him: “It helps having someone you can trust and who you know is there for you up there with you,” Neuzil said. “Being able to keep someone who is an old good friend always helps.” 

JoJo Louis 

Defensive back 

Florida International University 

Signing Day Reaction: “My freshman year (at Manatee), I watched guys sign and at that moment that’s when I knew that I wanted this moment and I did what I had to do,” Louis said. “It’s a surreal moment. I have the exact feeling now that I did when I was watching those guys sign.” 

Why FlU?: Louis is from Miami and was ready to go back home. 

What are you looking forward to the most about playing college football? “The experience. Not many people can say they play college football,” Louis said. “Football is something that I actually enjoy and to be able to go to school on top of that is a plus.” 

Dylan Tyson 

Defensive end 

Anderson University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s definitely a weight off my shoulders,” Tyson said. “Now I can just enjoy the rest of my senior year.” 

On having kicker Kyle Thoma there with him: “It makes meeting new people a lot easier when you basically have family, someone whose been with you for awhile, there.” 

Why Anderson University?: “(Kyle) and I visited last weekend together, and it’s just a great atmosphere for football.” 

Kyle Thoma

Kicker

Anderson University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s just nice having stability and knowing where you’re going,” Thoma said. “We’ve had that stability here for a little while now, so its nice knowing we’ll have that again when we graduate.” 

On having Tyson there with him: “It’s nice going with a person that you consider family,” Thoma said. “It makes it easier to meet people.” 

Other options: Thoma had an offer from Avila University, in Kansas City, that he was going to take before visiting Anderson University’s campus last week. 

Anthony Moore

Defensive back 

Minot State University 

Signing Day Reaction: “I’m really happy to have been able to sign to play at the next level,” Moore said. “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and playing against a high level of competition.” 

Why Minot State University?: “I took a virtual tour and I loved the campus,” Moore said. “The coaches also seemed very genuine.” 

Other Options: Warner University and Campbellsville University 

What are you going to miss the most about Braden River?: “The student section. They give us a lot of excitement during the game.” 

Jaylin Austin 

Running back

Highland Community College 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s a wonderful and tremendous opportunity that I couldn’t have done without the coaches and the football program,” Austin said. “Now I have the opportunity to show what I can do at the next level. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get here and I want to thank everyone in the program.” 

What are you looking forward to the most about playing college football?: “I’m excited to go show what I can do and be part of a new program,” Austin said. “It’s a great opportunity.” 

Why Highland Community College?: “I really liked the coaches and the offensive coordinator kind of runs an offense like we do here, which is perfect for me. I really felt like the coaches cared about me a lot, and I’m looking forward to continuing my education.” 

Michael Walker

Lineman 

Palmetto Prep (Walker plans to attend Palmetto Prep until January before transitioning to a four-year university and is looking at Marshall University and Appalachian State University.) 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s a great moment and for it to finally get here is exciting,” Walker said. “I’ve loved playing with these kids and the memories are ones I’ll never forget. My coaches definitely helped me get to where I am, and I’m grateful to have found my way here.” 

Lakewood Ranch had six athletes of its own sign scholarships, including four soccer, one football and one girls basketball. 

Mustang signees include: 

Football 

Trevor Losada

Wide Receiver 

Carson-Newman University

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s very exciting to share this moment with my family and friends who have been a part of this and helped me along the way,” Losada said. 

Why Carson-Newman?: “Everyone there is not just friendly but genuinely friendly,” Losada said. “Everyone knows everyone. I really like how they treat you, and the coach told me I should expect to be an impact player next year.” 

Other Options: Charleston Southern and University of West Florida 

Girls Basketball 

Elise Spiller 

Guard

Green Mountain College 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s unbelievable,” Spiller said. “If I would’ve told myself 10 years ago that I would be signing to play college basketball, I would’ve said you’re crazy. It’s really great. I’m excited for this next chapter of my life. I’m ready to move on and explore new things.” 

Why Green Mountain College?: I fell in love with the program and the school is great. I loved the coaches and the way they presented themselves to me. They’re very personable and I felt like we would be able to form a relationship.” 

Girls Soccer 

Danielle Wilson

Goalkeeper 

Emory University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s fun and kind of relieving at the same time,” Wilson said. “To be able to play soccer in college is amazing. I’ve been dreaming of playing college soccer my entire life and being able to represent my college on the field. Now the day has finally come for me to be able to do it.” 

Other Options: Florida Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins and Rice 

On being able to sign with her teammates: “It’s nice to have them up here with me,” Wilson said. “We couldn’t have accomplished this individually. We’ve helped each other get to where we are now.” 

Julia Ortiz

Defender

Saint Leo University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s an honor,” Ortiz said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without soccer and now I have the opportunity to play at a high level. It’s honestly just a great opportunity.” 

Why Saint Leo?: “The coaches were a huge part of my decision,” Ortiz said. “I connected with them as people. Their idea on how to play is the same as mine and it just felt like home. I wanted to stay in Florida and go to a school where I knew that I would play.” 

Other Options: Schools in the Sunshine State Conference, including Barry University and Eckerd Collge

Nicole Wurster 

Defender 

Gardner-Webb University 

Signing Day Reaction: “I’m excited to not have to switch my life up,” Wurster said. “I’m just going to keep going with what I’m doing. I’m going to work really hard over the summer and I’m looking to compete next year.” 

Why Grander-Webb?: “The program is really successful and I wanted to be in cooler weather,” Wurster said.

Conli Schwarz

Forward 

Belmont Abbey College

Signing Day Reaction: “It means a lot,” Schwarz said. “I’ve been playing since I was 4 years old, so to be able to continue playing for another four years is so exciting. When I was little, I never thought I would be here; but ever since I got to high school, I’ve known that this is what I wanted to do.” 

Why Belmont-Abbey?: “It’s a good fit for me academically and athletically,” said Schwarz, who plans to study biology. “I really enjoy the girls that are there now and the ones that are coming in, and the coaches are phenomenal. I’m just looking forward to coming in and helping the team out.”