SPRING SIGNINGS: Catholic trio, Trinity star announce college plans

By TIM GAYLE

Justin Rose admits that Wednesday had a different feel for the Catholic senior.

“It feels very surreal,” he said, “just thinking, as a kid, about always going to Tuskegee and now being able to fulfill my dream and sign those papers.”

Rose accepted an offer to play football for the Golden Tigers, fulfilling a lifelong dream in the process.

One of Catholic’s most visible athletes over the past three years, Rose became a favorite of head coach Kirk Johnson, fighting through injuries and swapping out roles to help the Knights win 38 games over that span.

“Justin Rose has played five different positions,” Johnson said. “In the midst of playing those five different positions his senior year, we have a Vandy receiver (Josh Palmer) who signs, we have a Troy receiver (Luke Harkless) that signs, we have an Auburn running back in Jeremiah Cobb that signs and Rose spent a lot of time being hurt.”

Rose had just five receptions for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns last year after spending much of October and all of November on the defensive side of the ball. While his stats may not have reflected it, he was a crucial piece in the secondary late in the season, particularly in a battle for the region championship at Andalusia after injuries sidelined LJ Green and forced Rose into Green’s role.

Former Tuskegee quarterback Aaron James will be making his coaching debut after serving last season as the Golden Tigers’ offensive coordinator. Rose was uncertain of his role with the Golden Tigers, suggesting it was “mostly receiver but maybe DB. Either one, I’m just ready to play wherever they put me at.”

Underwood signs with Morehouse College

Zach Underwood considered several college offers, but in the end, family meant a little more.

The Catholic senior elected to sign with Morehouse College on Wednesday in a signing ceremony at the school, following in the footsteps of his older brother Slayton.

“I actually wanted to take a few scholarship offers to bigger D-I colleges,” Underwood said, “but my uncle really wanted me to go to Morehouse. I kind of did it to make him happy.”

As a junior, Underwood was part of a linebacker corps that was among the best in the state, recording 74 tackles, including 17 for loss and eight sacks, while inside linebackers T.J. Dudley and Pat Ryan grabbed most of the attention.

In his senior season, Underwood was third on the team in tackles with 81 (51 solo, 30 assists), but led the area with 33 tackles for loss, including 15 sacks. Despite his ability to disrupt opposing offenses as an edge rusher, Underwood said the Maroon Tigers were considering him at all the linebacker positions.

“They said I’d be a good player in the box (as an inside linebacker) because of my agility, speed and strength,” he said, “but also, because of my speed and size, I’d be good on the edge. So wherever the team needs me, that’s where I’ll play.

“I feel more comfortable outside and I enjoy outside more -- it’s a fun position going out there, playing fast, doing your own thing -- but inside is more of a fulfilling role. It’s where I can use more of my assets. I feel I’m a better player in the box.”

He should get an opportunity to make an immediate impact. The Division II Maroon Tigers, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association rivals of Tuskegee, went 1-9 last year and fired longtime coach Rich Freeman, hiring Gerard Wilcher during the offseason.

In any case, Catholic coach Kirk Johnson is happy Underwood got the opportunity to continue playing at the collegiate level.

“His story is amazing,” Johnson said. “I’ve watched him truly grow up and I’m so proud of him. Most kids his age, if you go through what he went through, you’re not sitting up here signing a scholarship. Football is one thing, but life is another and he’s winning at life.”

Binns takes hoops talent to Huntingdon

It only takes one offer, Brennan Binns pointed out.

Catholic’s top 3-point shooter accepted an offer from Huntingdon College to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level, proud that the hard work paid off as he was honored at a signing ceremony at the school on Wednesday.

“I always dreamed it would happen, but you come to a point where you realize it might not,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep working.”

So that’s what Binns did, obviously frustrated at times that he didn’t have a college offer, which in turn made him more determined to earn one. He was finally rewarded last summer at an offseason tournament at Huntingdon when Hawks’ coaches first spotted him.

“We went over there in the summer for a tournament and I got to know the coaches over there and some of the players,” Binns said. “I think it’ll be a good place.”

Binns earned all-Capital City Conference honorable mention honors this past season after helping the Knights return to the state tournament after a year off. Binns, a two-year starter who first saw playing time on the 2021 team that reached the 3A finals, was best known for his 3-point shooting but showed improvement on the defensive end of the floor with hard work in the offseason between his junior and senior seasons.

“First of all, academically, I think it’s a great fit for him,” Catholic coach Mike Curry said. “He’s a great student and Huntingdon has a great academic reputation. He’s got a chance to play here in front of his folks, so I think it’s a great fit for him.

“I think the biggest thing is going to be him getting down and guarding somebody. I always tell him he’s going to have to be a pest on defense. And, listen, he’s gotten a lot better on defense and he’s going to have to continue to get better on defense. But one of the things that he can do is he can make a shot. I think that’s what they like about him -- he can spread the floor, he’s got a quick trigger and he’s got a good understanding of the game.”

Trinity’s Lieux to play baseball at Enterprise State

Trinity center fielder D.M. Lieux was a sophomore when he came to head coach Jarrod Cook and stated his desire of playing baseball at the collegiate level.

On Wednesday, Lieux achieved his dream at the signing ceremony at the school, accepting an offer to play at Enterprise State Community College.

“It’s like the weight of the world is off my shoulders,” he said. “The whole season, I’ve been trying to get that one offer, that’s all I needed. I’ll go play anywhere. I’m ready to go play baseball.”

For Lieux, it’s been a challenging journey, to say the least. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee as a sophomore and suffered the same injury a year later to his left knee. After that injury, he gave up playing basketball for the Wildcats but continued to play football and baseball.

“After those two, it affected me physically but it also affected me a lot mentally,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest factor, trying to keep that mindset of what I actually want to do and what I really want to achieve in life.”

Lieux batted .551 this season and ranks first in virtually every offensive category, including hits (49), runs (36), RBIs (30), doubles (13), triples (four) and home runs (three).

“I think his versatility will show,” Trinity coach Jarrod Cook said. “He can play center and left and can definitely plug into right. Naturally, he’s a center fielder. He’s got good range and gets an exceptional jump off the barrel. I think he’s proven his athleticism will allow him to adjust and play anywhere out there.”

He also made eight appearances on the mound in the middle part of the season, compiling a 2-2 record and 3.59 earned run average.

“When you take an athlete and put them on the mound, it’s not the physical part, it’s the mental part you’ve got to work through,” Cook said. “He handled it well. He’s gone through a lot, playing three sports and the injuries he has had just shows his grit, his determination and toughness.”

Lieux is the second area player to sign with the Boll Weevils over the last month, joining Macon East Academy catcher Jabe Boroff.