Like the rest of the country, Wednesday was a special day at Joplin High School, as six football players signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level on National Signing Day.
Nathan Glades, Scott Lowe and Trayshawn Thomas all committed to Missouri Southern, while Dominick Simmons signed with Evangel University. Keaton Renfro inked his name to Missouri S&T, with Davis Ramsey signing on to play for William Penn.
“This is an unbelievable feeling,” Lowe said. “This has always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid—to play college football. I had a grandfather who coached high school football, and my father played college football. Ever since I was little, all I have been around is football. I just want to make my family proud.”
Glades will be heading to Southern as a running back and kick returner, with Lowe as a linebacker and Thomas as a wide receiver.
“I want to go out there and be a part of a program where I am not just a statistic,” Glades said. “I want to go change a program around, which I helped do here at Joplin. … I view this as a stepping stone for me. College (football) is not where I want to stop (playing). That’s for sure.”
Of course, with three players who were instrumental in turning Joplin’s football program around, they look forward to helping lay a positive foundation at Missouri Southern, which will have a new head coach to start next season.
“It’s awesome and amazing,” Lowe said of his chance to continue playing with some of his teammates at Missouri Southern. “It was always the challenge to lay the foundation at Joplin. Now, going to Southern, it’s something that we look forward to. We want to be in situations where we have our backs against the wall with everyone against us. We look forward to those situations because there is only one way to go, and that’s up.”
Simmons will be attending Evangel as a cornerback, and already has a feeling of what to expect at the next level. He has been in contact with former Joplin quarterback Blake Tash, who committed to Evangel last year on National Signing Day.
“I talked to Blake when they offered me,” Simmons said. “He said they were a great program. … We’ve been talking all offseason about it. He really helped me with my decision. … This is a great feeling. I just give thanks to God every day for helping me along the way.”
Like many players, Wednesday was a dream come true for Renfro, who will be playing as a wide receiver for the Miners’ program.
“It means a lot to me because I know this is a special opportunity that everyone doesn’t get,” Renfro said. “It is a blessing. … This is the first huge decision I am making in my life. … With this decision, I am taking on the responsibility of performing in the classroom and on the field in one of the most-important times of my life—when I am growing into an adult.”
For Ramsey, an offensive tackle, it was a simple decision to sign with William Penn. They made him feel like he belonged instantly.
“I took a visit up there a couple of weeks ago,” Ramsey said. “When I was there, it really just felt like home. I clicked with the environment. … This is everything. I know not everyone gets the opportunity that I have. Those opportunities come and go, I am just glad to have mine.”
While the opportunity to play football at the collegiate level is an honor, every Eagles athlete who signed on Wednesday praised their time at Joplin and how it helped elevate their play for the chance to continue playing football.
“It means a lot,” Thomas said. “I am going to miss it. It is real emotional. This was my last year playing for Joplin, and I have pretty much been playing for them my whole life—from flag football to high school. When you think about it, it just flew by. It’s sad, but I’m happy to have the memories.”
