Tuscola seniors Jordan Davis, left, and Zach Webster have signed to play college football for Carson-Newman (Tenn.).
WAYNESVILLE – Tuscola football coach Tommy Pursley told an assembled crowd Wednesday that his son (Brock) is an assistant on the staff at Carson-Newman (Tenn.).
One of the most storied Division II programs in the country had a lot of other reasons for recruiting Jordan Davis and Zach Webster.
Davis (a lineman) and Webster (quarterback/defensive back) signed to play college football during a ceremony in their media center.
“These two kids have done a great job representing not only themselves, but their families, Tuscola and their community,” Pursley said.
“(Carson-Newman) is a good university for academics and football. We’re really appreciative of everything that Jordan and Zach have done for us and wish them the best.”
Both seniors were All-Western North Carolina Athletic Conference selections for the Mountaineers (7-5) in 2015. Davis is a 6-foot-1, 293 pound guard/defensive tackle.
His blocking helped allow Webster, a 6-2, 180-pound field general, to pass for 1,082 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions. Webster accounted for himself on defense, and did so mightily with a team-high 122 tackles and two interceptions.
Carson-Newman has won five national championships in football (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989) and was a national finalist in 1972, 1987, 1996, 1998 and 1999.
The Eagles haven’t typically recruited WNC hard in the past. That has changed this year.
Other mountain recruits who have signed with the Jefferson City, Tenn., school are Cherokee’s Kennan Panther and Logan Teesateskie, Rosman’s Tanner Green and Swain County’s Jake Marr.
“It’s a good feeling to know that I’m joining a program like this,” Webster said.
“(Davis) and I have been playing football together for about 12 years. We’re ready for new challenges and excited about it.”
Follow the HS Huddle on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hshuddle, Twitter at www.twitter.com/acthshuddle or Instagram at www.instagram.com/high_school_huddle