from staff reports
Five East Central Community College football standouts signed national letters-of-intent to continue their athletic careers Wednesday.
Signing with four-year universities in the signing ceremony on the East Central campus were: offensive lineman Jarred Fleming, quarterback Emmanuel Taylor, defensive back CJ Estelle of Sylacauga, Ala., University of Tennessee- Martin; defensive back Preston Felder of Meridian and defensive back Ken Griffin of Philadelphia.
Fleming (6-foot-5, 290 pounds), received MACJC first team All-State and All-Star honors and was selected the Warriors’ best offensive lineman. He signed with Troy.
Taylor (5-10, 180) was named first team All-State for the second straight season and is now headed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He also received one of the Warriors’ team captain awards. Taylor was ranked third in the state in passing yardage, completing 154 of 277 attempts for 2,241 yards and 15 touchdowns. Taylor was also one of the state’s top rushers with 627 yards on 98 carries, a 6.4-yard average per carry, and scored three touchdowns.
Estelle (5-9, 175), who signed with the University of Tennessee-Martin, was among the state’s top defenders and return specialists. He tied for fourth in interceptions with four and had 16 kickoff returns for 354 yards, a
22.1-yard average. He also returned 13 punts for 134 yards, a 10.3-yard average, and one touchdown, a 70-yard scamper.
Felder (5-9, 175) was credited with 34 tackles, six pass break-ups and an interception. Felder inked with Henderson State.
Griffin (6’, 190), an MACJC All-Star, was among the state’s top tacklers with 49 solo stops and 26 assists. Griffin is headed to Delta State.
All five players graduated from ECCC in December and will transfer to their respective universities in January.
