John Milledge football standouts sign to play college ball

Published 5:32 pm Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Harrison Bryant and Chad Freeman, two of the standout football players for the past two years at John Milledge Academy, are going to play the sport at the college level next season.

The 17-year-old seniors, both of whom helped the Trojans to back-to-back trips to the playoff semi-finals their junior and senior seasons, signed letters-of-intent to play college football Wednesday.

They were among thousands of prep football star players from across the country doing what has become a tradition every year on the first Wednesday in February. The special day is known as National Collegiate Signing Day.

Bryant signed to play at Florida Atlantic University, while Freeman chose to sign with Reinhardt University. Both students excel in the classroom as well.

Bryant, the son Brad and Alyson Bryant, of Gray, formerly played football and basketball at Jones County High School before transferring to JMA where he has continued to be an outstanding student-athlete.

Bryant, who played tight end for the Trojans this past season, made 39 receptions for 608 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He also played defensive end and made 100 tackles his senior season and 11 sacks.

Bryant was an all-state tackle his junior year.

Freeman, the son of Kirk and Katrina Freeman, was another defensive star. The middle linebacker recorded 132 tackles, 10 of those being for lost yardage by opponents. Freeman, a two-year starter, also saw lots of action his sophomore season.

Head coach J.T. Wall described Freeman as the type of player who would run through a wall if a coach asked him to do it.

“If you ask Chad to do that he’ll do that and ask questions later,” Wall said. “He’s just that kind of hard-nose football player.”

Wall told the student body and members of the school’s faculty, as well as dozens of parents, that Freeman and Bryant are getting an opportunity afforded to them that a lot of football players never receive — a chance to play at the next level.

A two-minute video about each of the star football players was shared with those in the audience. Several of the outstanding plays made by each of the players were met with cheers and applause from the student body.

Freeman is two-time all-region, two-time all-county, and was an all-state player for the Trojans this past season.

“He led our team in tackles the last two years,” Wall said.

Freeman said he has wanted to play college football ever since he was a little boy.

“I’ve always wanted to play at the next level,” Freeman said. “I’m very excited about this opportunity.”

In addition to playing football, Freeman also plays baseball and is a member of the wrestling team.

Freeman said he plans to get a degree in either criminal justice or physical therapy.

He said his interest in possibly becoming a trooper with the Georgia State Patrol someday has caused him to seriously think about seeking a criminal justice degree.

“I’m looking forward to playing football for four more years in college,” Freeman said, noting he wants to play on the defensive side of the ball.

He said he has enjoyed his prep career at JMA and will always cherish his many memories there.

“Football has taught me a lot about the game of life,” Freeman said. “I’m going to miss that feeling of running down the field on a kickoff and making a big play.”

Meanwhile, Bryant is a two time all-state player, two-time all-region player, two-time all-county player, and also All-County Player of the Year. He led the Trojans in touchdowns scored his senior season.

JMA Headmaster Mark Hopkins said Freeman and Bryant were great students, and described them as “great men of character.”

He told both players that they had done nothing but brought pride to the school during their time as student-athletes at JMA.

Bryant, who also plays center on the varsity basketball team for the Trojans, said he is excited about beginning the next chapter in his life.

“It’s been a long six months,” Bryant said, trying to determine what school he wanted to attend after high school. “It was actually longer than that — more like eight months.”

Bryant said he immediately settled on wanting to attend Florida Atlantic after his first visit.

“I like the program and all the coaches there,” Bryant said. “It’s a program on the rise. We play Miami and Kansas State next year.”

He said if his new football team manages to beat the University of Miami next season, he can boast to coach Wall that he beat Mark Richt, his prep coach’s former head coach at the University of Georgia.

“That would be a lot of fun,” said Bryant with a big smile.

Bryant, an all-A student, said he wants to study medicine.

“I’m thinking about either pre-med or exercise science,” he said, noting he aspires to become a doctor. “That’s a long eight years away, so I’m not real sure just yet.”

He said he decided on the medical field, so he can help people.

“I like interacting with people and helping them,” Bryant said.

He said when he leaves JMA he will greatly miss the coaches and the entire JMA family.

“It’s a great place to go to school.”