Billingsley duo signs to play college football
Published 5:28 pm Thursday, March 26, 2015
Billingsley’s Dalton Davis signed with Huntingdon to play football on March 26.
Students at Billingsley High School packed the gymnasium on March 26 as the Bears held a signing ceremony for two athletes.
Dalton Davis and Jaytarius Steele each signed to play football collegiately, with Davis signing with Huntingdon in Montgomery and Steele signing with Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.
“I just want these two to know how proud I am,” athletic director J.T. Lawrence told the crowd. “Don’t let anyone tell you you need a certain name on the front of your jersey (to play in college).”
Head football coach Tyson McLean said the two signees demonstrated the type of on-and-off-the-field leadership the program strove for.
Jaytarius Steele signed with Waldorf College out of Forest City, Iowa.
“They play hard,” he said. “Dalton Davis gives it everything he has. Jaytarius does what he’s supposed to do. I’m just proud for the hard work.”
Steele did a little of everything for the Bears during the 2014 season, as he led the team in receiving with 30 catches for 695 yards and eight touchdowns.
Steele also had 164 yards rushing on 18 carries, scoring three touchdowns on the year.
Steele’s 53 tackles, eight interceptions and two touchdowns on defense, along with his 1,793 all-purpose yards, led to his being named to the All-State team by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Steele said of the signing. “I’m the first one in my family to sign for football. It’s a chance to continue my dreams.”
Steele said he liked the style of play at Waldorf, which features former Billingsley standout Torrey Green.
“I like the offense,” he said. “They use receivers well.”
Davis, who played both ways for the Bears, racked up 203 yards and five touchdowns on 15 catches as a receiver and recorded 85 tackles with two interceptions on defense.
Davis said he also intends to play baseball as a walk-on for the Hawks.
“(Signing) means everything coming from a small school,” Davis said. “You don’t always have to be big. It doesn’t matter what school you go to, you can go on and play on the next level if you work hard.”
Davis said he chose Huntingdon because of its location and sports medicine program.
“It’s right up the road,” he said. “I think it’s a good school, and right for my major.”
