National Signing Day: Local Players Sign Scholarships

PINSON, AL — The early National Signing Day has seen a bevy of players from Alabama sign letters of intent with various schools, and football standouts from Hewitt-Trussville, Pinson Valley and Center Point High School signed to play college football next year.

The signees include:

Pinson Valley

Tez Johnson, wide receiver: Johnson signed with Troy University Wednesday after a career that saw him lead the team in receptions this season, and amass 15 touchdowns. Johnson chose the Trojans over Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky and Arkansas State.

Donny Hawkins, offensive lineman: Hawkins will play football at Samford University next year, signing with the Bulldogs after being a four-year starter for the Indians, and helping them to the 2017 and 2018 state championships.

Jackie Matthews, defensive back: Matthews, a 2017 signed with West Virginia University after being a Junior College All-American at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College this past season. Matthews also received offers from Arkansas State, Charlotte, Marshall and Old Dominion.

Hewitt-Trussville:

Malachi Moore, defensive back: Moore had been a verbal commitment for the Universirty of Alabama for some time before making his decision official Wednesday. A former Arkansas commit, Moore will enroll early at Alabama.

Logan Self , offensive lineman: Self signed with Troy University Wednesday, choosing the Trojans over Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville State.

Eric Taylor, defensive lineman: Taylor, one of the top-ranked defensive backs in the country, will play next year for the current top-ranked team in the country, as he signed with LSU Wednesday. Taylor had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Florida as well.

Dazalin Worsham, wide receiver: Worsham had at one point verbally committed to Alabama to join his former quarterback Paul Tyson, but changed his mind and signed Wednesday with the University of Miami. An All-American on many lists, Worsham chose the 'Canes over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Clemson.

Center Point:

Decarius Hawthorne, defensive lineman: Hawthorne crept up the recruiting ranks steadily throughout the 2019 season, and eventually received offers from Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Tulane before signing Wednesday with Florida Atlantic University.

Jayson Jones, athlete: One of the state's most exciting players this past season, Jones did it all for the Eagles offensively. He was an effective runner, passer and receiver during the season, but was recruited primarily as a receiver. Jones signed Wednesday with Jacksonville State, choosing to stay in-state over offers from Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Memphis, Ole Miss and UCLA.