Seven from area sign with 4-year colleges|[2/3/05]

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 3, 2005

Come August, the sound of football season is defined by cheering fans, the crack of helmets and pads, and the thunder of cleats against the turf.

In February, it’s all about the sound of scribbling pens and buzzing fax machines.

Port Gibson receiver Tobias Shanks and Hinds AHS quarterback Austin Divinity highlighted a college football signing class loaded with players from the Vicksburg area.

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Seven players from Warren County and the surrounding area signed with four-year schools on Wednesday, the first day players are allowed to do so. Six more signed with junior colleges.

Shanks and Divinity were the biggest catches. Shanks, a wide receiver and defensive back for Port Gibson, made good on a verbal commitment to San Diego State.

“I’m very relieved,” Shanks said. “I definitely didn’t think I was going to wind up at San Diego State.”

Shanks, a 6-foot-3, 180-pounder, caught 22 passes for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and also intercepted five passes at defensive back. He was recruited as an athlete, but will probably play receiver. The Aztecs are losing five players at that position, and receivers coach Ray Peterson said Shanks would have a chance to get on the field if he develops.

“I see a lot of potential. He has the height you’re looking for and you know he’s going to get bigger and stronger,” said Peterson, a New Orleans native who recruited Shanks.

Shanks first got Peterson’s attention with an unsolicited highlight tape. Peterson said most tapes don’t get past the VCR, but Shanks’ leaping ability and speed was impressive enough to make its way to the team’s coaching staff.

Once Peterson saw Shanks in person, however, the doubts disappeared.

“Often times you get hundreds of tapes across your desk. Usually if a coach is sending out a tape, it’s a reach,” Peterson said. “We ended up liking him and liked what I saw. I thought this was a case of a coach looking out for his player.”

Divinity, meanwhile, signed with Southern Miss after verbally committing to the school last month. The Class 2A All-State selection compiled 4,141 yards of total offense and scored 43 TDs in three seasons for the War Dawgs.

Divinity was a QB, running back, kick returner, defensive back and punter for Hinds AHS, and will play defensive back at USM.

“I just can’t wait to get back on the field,” Divinity said.

Louisiana Tech lost out on Divinity and former Vicksburg defensive back D’Eldrick Taylor – Taylor signed with Southeast Missouri State after verbally committing to Tech – but did pick up another defensive back from the area.

Former Port Gibson star Melvin Ellis, who has spent the last two seasons at Itawamba Community College, agreed to play for Louisiana Tech on Wednesday.

Three of Tech’s four starting defensive backs last season were seniors, leaving a gaping hole in the secondary that Ellis felt he could help fill.

“They lost all their DBs and I’ll have a chance to start and help them out as soon as I come in,” Ellis said. “Louisiana Tech is probably my best chance to come in right now and play.”

Even though Ellis is leaving, Itawamba won’t be without a Port Gibson presence for long. Three members of the Blue Wave signed to play juco ball there next season.

Quarterback Erick Hall, receiver and linebacker Terrinell Claiborne, and cornerback Danrick Chambers are all on their way to Fulton.