Albany High School football standouts sign scholarships

ALBANY — It wasn’t that long ago that Albany High School’s Brandon Palmer sat and watched his peers sign college letters-of-intent.

Palmer along with teammate Joseph Stone signed Friday morning.

“I remember just looking at everyone else signing,” Palmer said. “I just dreamed of myself doing that and I wasn’t going to stop until I got here.”

Palmer signed his letter-of-intent to play football at Georgia Prep Sports Academy, while Joseph Stone inked one to play at Point University, a christian liberal arts school in West Point, Ga.

Georgia Prep is located in Atlanta and its mission statement says, “The Georgia Prep Sports Academy is a rigorous post-graduate academic-athletic program for students who wish to continue their desire to earn a four-year scholarship at an accredited four year college.”

“I feel it is accomplishment,” Palmer said. “I know there is still a lot of work that I have to do. This is only the first step.”

Palmer said he wanted to improve in the classroom, on the field and as a person while at Georgia Prep.

Stone, a standout in both football and basketball, will play tight end or defensive end at Point.

“It feels great to get the process over with,” Stone said. “Now, I can start the next chapter in my life.”

In addition to being recruited by Point, Stone also received interest from West Georgia, Morehouse and Tennessee State.

The coaches at Point told Stone that his height and athleticism stood out.

“I really liked the Christian atmosphere at Point,” Stone said. “The coaches were also very sincere. They told me that everyone has a chance to play as soon as you get there and it is just up to you.”

Stone will leave for Point at the end of July.

He said receiving a scholarship has been a lifelong goal and it feels great to accomplish it.

“I can check this off my list and add another one,” Stone said.