PREP SIGNINGS: McCreary set to sign with Troy; Prattville softball duo sign

Catholic’s Caleb McCreary announced that he plans to attend Troy University on a football scholarship next fall. (File Photo)

By TIM GAYLE
Caleb McCreary had a variety of offers to play football at the collegiate level, but the Catholic junior had to sort through the programs that had made recent coaching changes and the ones that might not be dedicated to playing him at quarterback.

 He settled on one program he was sure of and on Friday afternoon McCreary announced his commitment to Troy University.

“They’ve had a great recruiting class and they’re still recruiting,” McCreary said. “They were one of my early offers. They’ve always believed in me as a quarterback. The coaching staff has been very supportive in me, not just as an athlete but as a person. The character of their coaching staff really plays a big part in my recruitment by them.”

Catholic coach Kirk Johnson said a variety of football programs at different levels are interested in McCreary, but the Catholic quarterback was sure of his commitment to the Sun Belt Conference champions.

“His offers aren’t done,” Johnson noted, “and they range from higher FBS programs to FCS programs. People pay attention to size -- he’s not 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5 -- but he’s 38-5 as a starting quarterback and has played in nothing less than a semifinal playoff game (each season) as a starting quarterback. He’s a really dynamic football player as well as a really good kid.”

McCreary is familiar with the school that his sister Amari attends, but said the Trojans made a great first impression on him regardless of where his sister goes to school.

“That school is very family oriented,” he said, “so if football doesn’t work out, I know that school wants me as a person. Coach (Caleb) Ross played a big part. When I went up there after my freshman year for a camp, he was always in my ear, even before they offered me. He respected my game, he respected me as a quarterback, even when other coaches at other colleges didn’t.”

That means a lot to McCreary, who crossed off any offers that didn’t include him at quarterback.

“Whenever somebody didn’t believe in me as a quarterback, that was a complete turn-off for me,” he said. “I took a lot of time and it’s a lot of effort and hard work and grinding to play quarterback, especially playing quarterback for Coach ‘J.’ You’ve got to be disciplined, you’ve got to always be ready.

“And (former Catholic) Coach (Aubrey) Blackwell was a big part of me playing quarterback because I wasn’t really confident playing quarterback my freshman year. I had to sit out my eighth grade year (as a transfer) and my freshman year, I really forgot how a football game even went, but Coach Blackwell believed in me. He didn’t care about my height, he didn’t care about my age. He said you’re the best player for the position.”

Ross, the former Prattville High coach who is now the Trojans’ director of football operations, offered the same type of encouragement over the past few years, which played heavily in McCreary’s decision.

“About 60 percent (of the college recruiters) wanted me as a quarterback,” McCreary said. “The rest never really asked me about quarterback development. With Troy, Coach Ross asked me what would you do in this situation, that situation. He really analyzed my game. He opened up his wing and I just fell under it. I don’t even look at him like a coach any more.”

McCreary just completed a junior season in which he passed for 2,809 yards and 43 touchdowns while throwing just one interception. He also rushed for 802 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns while averaging 10.0 yards per carry.

When McCreary’s career is over, barring injury, the 6-foot, 185-pounder will finish as one of the top 10 performers in the history of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. He currently ranks 15th in career passing yards with 7,947 and 15th in career touchdowns accounted for with 122. His career completion percentage of 58.9 ranks 13th, just behind former Hueytown quarterback Jameis Winston.

His 107 career passing touchdowns are currently fifth, trailing Piedmont’s Jack Hayes (159 in 2022), American Christian’s Chris Smelley (134 in 2005), Pinson Valley’s Bo Nix (127 in 2018) and Lanett’s Kristian Story (119 in 2019).

“We don’t really talk about it,” McCreary said. “My dad will talk to me about how many (yards or touchdowns) I had in a game, but I never really paid attention to my stats. That’s a big thing with Coach ‘J’ -- it’s like head down, let’s win games. That’s the only thing that matters. And we all just follow along.”

Troy won out over offers from Nebraska, Georgia Tech and South Alabama. Additional offers included teams such as Maryland, Liberty, Georgia Southern, Arkansas State and Central Florida.Prattville’s Jones, Jarman sign softball scholarships

PRATTVILLE -- Sarah Grace Jones was playing with her travel ball team this past summer, wondering if anyone was paying attention.

The Prattville High infielder finally got her first collegiate offer, then another and another, all in a two-week span. On Thursday afternoon, she joined fellow senior Kylie Jarman in a signing ceremony at the school, with Jones choosing East Central Community College and Jarman selecting Pensacola State College to continue their softball careers at the collegiate level.

“I was talking to my parents about it,” Jones said, “and the deal was, if I didn’t go to college (with a softball offer), I was going to do online school and move with them, wherever they went. Then I got an offer and the next week I got another offer and the next week I got another offer.

“I was nervous (at the signing ceremony). But being around all my best friends and my family, it’s a relief and it’s heartwarming to enjoy this great day.”

Jones played second base for the Lions last year but became a corner infielder in travel ball, playing first and third base, a role she is expected to continue next spring for Prattville.

“Sarah Grace, power wise, is tremendous,” Prattville High softball coach Brian Pittman said. “She plays multiple positions -- she played first and third and played second for us last year -- and she also pitches.

Jones batted .252 last year with three home runs and six doubles while compiling a 3.00 earned run average in the circle.

Since changing positions, Jones noted that she “really, really loves first base” and the same can be said with her decision to play at East Central Community College, a two-year program located northeast of Meridian, Miss.

“When I stepped on the campus, I felt at home,” she said. “The security there is great, the dorms for softball players are amazing. I met a bunch of the girls when I went to visit and they all welcomed me with open arms. It felt like I was home.”

Jarman was the Lions’ leading hitter last season, batting .420 to help her team to the state tournament. She also had a team-best 21 stolen bases and was 5-5 in the circle as a left-handed pitcher with a 2.30 earned run average. At the plate, the left-handed hitter displayed both power and contact as the team’s leadoff hitter.

“Number one, she’s a triple threat,” Pittman said. “At the plate, she can do all three phases of the short game. She can run, she can also swing away for power. She can play all three outfield positions. And you get an added bonus when you add her in on the mound as well.”

That type of player could certainly generate interest from four-year colleges, but Jarman said Pensacola State College was at the top of her wish list because “all the boxes were checked. I knew without a doubt this is it. It is the location that I wanted to go to and whenever I went down there for a visit, the girls were really welcoming. That’s what drew me to them.

Like Jones, Jarman was thankful to get the recruiting behind her before the season starts in two months. 

“We have been planning this for a month,” she said. “It’s been very stressful. Getting to actually do it is a relief, but it’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I always thought about this when I was younger, so it really feels good.”

After having four players sign last year, Pittman is thankful to have two more college-bound Lions in his second season as the school’s softball coach.

“It’s always good for our program to keep building,” he said. “And just getting the recognition that these kids deserve.”