Westover High School football standouts sign

ALBANY – Westover High School’s leaders on both sides of the ball signed their letters of intent to continue their college careers Wednesday afternoon on National Signing Day.

Emory McKenzie made his commitment to Furman official, while Jarvis Reid will head to North Carolina A&T.

McKenzie was a standout quarterback for the Patriots finishing as the only area player to run for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000. He also totaled 17 touchdowns during his senior year but will no longer be asked to throw the ball.

Instead of playing quarterback, McKenzie will switch to defense and play linebacker for the Paladins.

“I’m kind of happy to play defense in college as opposed to offense,” McKenzie said. “It is less thinking and you are reacting instead of having to think about what you do first.”

After playing his senior season at 205, McKenzie has put on more than 15 pounds to prepare for his new position. He will major in physics at Furman and is excited for the academic challenges the school presents.

“I’m really looking forward to the academics,” McKenzie said. “Furman’s education and atmosphere is just amazing.”

He also received interest from North Carolina A&T, The Citadel and Presbyterian.

Reid, who played both tight end and defensive end at Westover, will go to North Carolina A&T as a tight end. He said signing to play at the next level has been a lifelong dream.

“I never thought otherwise,” he said. “I always knew I was going to go somewhere where I can get a higher education.”

North Carolina A&T was one of the last school’s to recruit Reid, but they went after him hard.

“They showed a lot of love, more than the other schools,” he said. “They were a school that really stuck with me through the whole process.”

Reid went to Greensboro, N.C., to visit the campus last weekend and decided right after his visit to commit.

“They have a great medical field there and I felt at home,” he said.

He also had offers from Western Kentucky, Marshall and Middle Tennessee State.