ORANGE PARK – Though it could have been viewed as a formality, Orange Park High School’s Demetre Baker has secured his future by signing a letter of commitment to play football at the University of Georgia.
Baker, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker/running back who was a driving force in back-to-back district titles and last year’s 10-0 regular season for Orange Park, stayed true to a verbal commitment he made earlier by signing to play at the University of Georgia.
Baker sealed the deal during a ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 3 at his school as part of National Signing Day. Eight other Clay County players signed the same day.
Fleming Island’s Ian Silberman, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound lineman who has been impressive in leading the Golden Eagles into the third round of the state playoffs each of the past two years, committed to play for the University of Florida during his junior season and arrived on the UF campus in January as an early enrollee.
Baker said he already has begun preparing himself for football at the next level.
“This has been a great run that no one could ever take away from us,” Baker said. “It has been a pleasure playing for all of the coaches.
“We have a new defensive coach [at Georgia], and I look forward to contributing quickly,” he said. “I want to get a little bigger, stronger and faster to make a quick impact.”
Silberman expressed similar thoughts before his departure.
“It’s truly been everything I expected,” he said. “We’ve already begun watching film and have started hitting the weights hard.
“I’m excited and look forward to an exciting year,” Silberman added. “But I’ll also miss my Eagle family and thank them for the memories.”
Signing day signing festivities also took place at Clay High as quarterback Ulysses Tobler, (University of Charleston-WV), Rodney Perry (Reedley College-CA), and Brett Coston (Northwestern College-IA) signed letters of commitment.
“Since I was a little kid watching Clay High football, I've wanted to first play here and then go from here to college,” Tobler said. “It's been a great ride. I'm the first in my family to go to college and play football.”
Perry said he was excited to make it to the college level.
“This is a day where my hopes and dreams have come true,” he said. “I chose Reedley because it had an offense that seemed to fit my style.”
Coston, a linebacker and defensive leader with 65 tackles and five sacks, said he is delighted that his time has arrived.
“I've waited and worked my whole life for a day like today,” Coston said. “It all hit me about a week ago that I’m getting the chance to play at the next level.”
In addition to Silberman, Fleming Island also has signings by punter/kicker Mike Youngblood (Merchant Marines) and Corey Litchfield and Addison Denney (University of Charleston, West Virginia).
Youngblood was nominated and selected by U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns and Senator George Lemieux for a Merchant Marines appointment.
“It’s a great opportunity at a great school with a chance for me to play in my first year,” Youngblood said.
Litchfield and Denney said they’re excited about the prospect of continuing to play on the same team.
“What a great feeling to be able to go to college, play ball, and play on a team with my best friend,” Litchfield said.
Other recent signings include Orange Park’s Lorenzo Ferguson (Glenville State) and Jacob Hagen (Liberty University).
Ferguson said, “I dedicate this moment first to God, but also to Andre Gooden, who took me in when I was young.”
Gooden, a Pop Warner Football coach who died unexpectedly two years ago, was a stalwart on the Orange Park sidelines.
Hagen said he plans to stay level-headed for the next four years.
“This is a big day for me and for all athletes that stay on track, work hard, study hard and live for their family,” he said.