By Gary Lloyd
PINSON — Six senior student-athletes from Pinson Valley High School signed on the dotted line on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
Running back Nick Gibson signed to play football at Mississippi State. Gibson had a stellar career for the Indians, racking up 5,082 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns on 720 carries in his four-year career.
Nick Gibson
photo by Gary Lloyd
VIDEO: Watch Nick Gibson speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
Teammates Juray Smith and D’Andre Hart both signed with Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky.
Juray Smith
photo by Gary Lloyd
Smith finished his senior season with 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three pass breakups and three interceptions. Smith said he never thought this day would come, especially after tearing his ACL before his senior season.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
VIDEO: Watch Juray Smith speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
Hart finished his senior season with 35 tackles, seven pass breakups and four blocked punts. He’ll play free safety and on special teams at the next level.
D’Andre Hart
photo by Gary Lloyd
“It’s an honor,” Hart said of playing college football. “Not many people get to do this.”
VIDEO: Watch D’Andre Hart speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
Soccer player Tori Gann signed to play at Alabama, the university she dreamed of attending since she was young.
“It means a lot to me,” Gann said.
Tori Gann
photo by Gary Lloyd
VIDEO: Watch Tori Gann speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
Fellow soccer player Jordan Walton signed to play at Meridian (Miss.) Community College. He thanked God, family, friends, coaches and teammates before he signed.
Jordan Walton
submitted photo
VIDEO: Watch Jordan Walton speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
Softball player Dallas Payton signed with Alabama Southern Community College. She said she will play center field at the college level, and that she fell in love with the Monroeville campus when she visited in August.
Dallas Payton
photo by Gary Lloyd
VIDEO: Watch Dallas Payton speak at Pinson Valley High School’s National Signing Day ceremony.
“It felt like home,” she said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
