Three Fitzgerald High School football players signed with colleges Friday morning, continuing the school’s tradition of developing talent for the collegiate level.

Bryce Smith signed with Savannah State University, where he will play on the defensive line. Tyson King will attend Fort Valley State University. Victor Copeland signed with Hutchinson College in Kansas.

Players reflect on support system

Smith said the support he received helped him persevere through difficult times.

“It means a lot. I wanted to quit a lot, but God stayed in my head. He told me to stay focused, stay locked in. My dad, he stayed on me about this. I ain’t never liked football until I got out of high school. I was already... my first love of basketball,” Smith said.

Copeland said he initially lacked support but earned it through his performance.

“I like having, like, the support, because when I was younger, I didn’t really have no support. Everybody was telling me I was too small and all this. All I got is speed, so I just work off and then I just go out there and produce,” Copeland said. “And, you know, everybody, they’re going to support you if you’re doing what you’re doing in the town and you win the game. So that’s what I did. And I just started getting a lot of support.”

King credited his family, particularly his late grandfather, for his development.

“It helped me a lot. My mom, dad. My dad just pushed me to be great. My mom just pushed me. My grandmother, my papa, he passed away. But all we talked about was football,” King said. “He passed away when I was in 8th grade. And all we talked about was football. He taught me literally everything. Like, everything I know about football, that’s where it came from.”

Players discuss college choices

Smith said he believes he fits Savannah State’s defensive scheme and can help improve the team’s performance.

“I think I fit the defensive scheme. Me and the defensive coaches talk all the time. We be texting,” Smith said. “I look at their record from last year. They were 4-6. I feel like if I go there, I can make it better. Because I don’t think nobody’s better than me.”

King said Fort Valley State felt like home during his visit.

“I went on a visit there not too long ago. And just, they had some of their teammates, like a player panel. And I was just talking to them. And they made me feel like they made... I wasn’t even committed yet. And they made me feel like it was home,” King said.

Copeland chose Hutchinson College as a stepping stone to Division I football.

“In order for me to go D1, I think Hutch was the best opportunity for me to stay there for like a year or two. And get some more film out and gain a little weight. And then go D1. So I just took this route,” Copeland said.

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