Photo courtesy John Askew
Navarre is coming off of one of the biggest signing days in the history of the football program, but before the team and coaches started rebuilding the roster they celebrated with some of the seniors who will be playing college football next season.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve had so much success,” Head coach Jay Walls said. “And with that comes guys getting recruited, and we’re definitely excited for those guys.”
Dante Wright (WR) – Colorado State University.
Wright accumulated over 2,500 receiving yards, 1,300 rushing yards and 59 total touchdowns in three seasons with Navarre.
Wright signed with Colorado State on signing day.
Colorado State has had two wide receivers selected in the NFL draft since 2016.
Michael Gallup, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Rashard Higgins, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, both show that Colorado State has the facilities and exposure to allow wide receivers to make it the next level.
In his first year with the Cowboys, Gallup started eight games and recorded over 500 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Higgins also recorded his first season with over 500 receiving yards in the NFL last season, as the third year-Brown totaled 572 yards and four touchdowns in 2018.
“Dante Wright is going to Colorado State,” Walls said, “and we think that’s a great fit for him based on what his strengths are and what he can do.”
Mike Bobo will start his fifth season with Colorado State this fall with instate rival Colorado on August 30.
Jordan Jefferson (DL) – West Virginia University
Over the last two seasons, Jordan Jefferson totaled 11 sacks and three forced fumbles from the defensive tackle position for the Raiders.
Following his successful senior campaign, Jefferson has signed to play with West Virginia.
West Virginia will be entering their first season with their new head coach, Neal Brown, this fall. Brown will be coming off of three straight seasons with bowl wins at Troy, including one season that saw the Trojans earn a top-25 ranking.
“Jordan Jefferson has a great opportunity at West Virginia and we’re really excited for him,” Walls said.
The Mountaineers will have high expectations after being a team that has been ranked no.10 or better at some point in two of the last three seasons.
Jefferson will have a chance to contribute to those expectations and results in a system that could highlight his talents.
West Virginia currently has 17 different players on NFL rosters, with four of them being defensive lineman and linebackers.
Joshua Carter (LB/RB) – University of South Alabama
Joshua Carter recorded stats at the varsity level in four different seasons for Navarre.
Carter finished his senior season with 296 rushing yards and three touchdowns on offense, in addition to 128 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 21 career sacks, 11 forced fumbles and four blocked field goals.
After being a cornerstone for Navarre’s defense and wildcat formations on offense over the last few years, Carter will be playing football just a few hours down I-10, for the South Alabama Jaguars, next season.
This fall, South Alabama will be entering their eighth season as an FBS team and will be looking to turn things around in head coach Steve Campbell’s second year coaching the Jaguars.
South Alabama currently has two active NFL players with Los Angeles Rams’ tight end Gerald Everett and Washington Redskins’ tight end Wes Saxton.
The relatively new program will look to add to that list as Campbell gets settled in.
“Josh Carter was a great player for us and he’ll be going to South Alabama,” Walls said. “I think he’s really excited about attending school there, and I think that’s a great fit for him.”
Alex Gilchrist (DL) – Culver-Stockton
Gilchrist totaled 57 tackles, eight sacks and four fumble recoveries in his two seasons playing varsity at Navarre.
Gilchrist will be playing football for Culver-Stockton at his next stop.
Walls and his coaching staff believe Gilchrist has yet to play his best football and will excel during his career at Culver-Stockton.
“Alex Gilchrist was offered by multiple NAIA schools,” Walls said. “He’s got a lot of development left and he will play some good ball for Culver-Stockton.”
Culver-Stockton is coming off of a 4-7 season that saw the Wildcats lose three games by three points or less.
Culver-Stockton has sent players, such as Jason Kaiser, to the NFL.
Mitchell Hunt (DL) – Harding University
Mitchell Hunt racked up 91 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 31 quarterback-hurries in his three seasons playing varsity at Navarre.
Hunt has signed to play with Harding University out of Arkansas in college.
Last season Harding went 9-2 during the regular season before losing a playoff game at no.2 Ferris State by just two points.
Hunt will join a defense that only gave up that only gave up more than ten points twice during last year’s regular season.
“I think playing at Harding will be a great situation for him,” Walls said.
Harding sent a defensive lineman to the NFL in 2013 when Ty Powell was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Walls mentioned that Navarre has a couple of other players looking to sign letters of intent who have yet to decide where they will play. Two of the names Walls mentioned were Chris Williams and Quinn Caballero, who were instrumental to the success of Navarre over the last few seasons.
At running back, Williams totaled over 1,600 rushing yards between his junior and senior seasons at Navarre, including a 1,000 yard, 14 touchdown season as a senior. Williams also added 245 yards receiving as a senior.
As a wide receiver and defensive back, Caballero gained over 900 yards receiving as a Raider, including a 538 yard, 6 touchdown campaign as a senior. Caballero played on both sides of the ball for Navarre and returned kicks.
Caballero had 25 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions as a senior.
“I’m definitely excited about all of those guys and what they’ll be able to do,” Walls said.
Despite a large signing day, and a 27-person graduating class, Walls will return talent to next year’s team highlighted by players like Marlon Courtney, Tyler England and an experienced offensive line.
