Three senior football players from Southeast High School, Myreon Lowe, Caleb Steele, and LaDavion Johnson, have made a significant commitment to their athletic futures by signing letters of intent to play at universities in Iowa. This decision, made on National Signing Day, marks their first major step away from home, as they will relocate over 1,300 miles to pursue their collegiate football careers.
Lowe and Steele have committed to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, a school named after a notable Creek Indian princess. Lowe expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, “It’s going to be a new adventure. See new things. Meet new people. Ultimately help me become a better player, better person.” Meanwhile, Johnson has signed with Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, where he has already experienced significant changes, including seeing snow for the first time.
The bond among the players extends beyond the football field. Steele chose to join Lowe at William Penn, emphasizing their friendship since freshman year. He said, “I could’ve gone anywhere, but once I got the opportunity to play ball with my brother, I gotta take that.” This camaraderie will be crucial as they face the challenges of college life, including the intense early morning training sessions. Lowe noted, “When we get homesick, one of us will have to tell the other, ‘Hey, man, we gotta keep working. We gotta keep our heads level. We got somewhere to be.’”
Their high school football coach, Curt Bradley, provided guidance not only in their football choices but also regarding financial considerations. He remarked on the importance of making informed decisions about academic and athletic scholarships to avoid future financial burdens. “It’s important for some of these young men to leave home, though it is quite a ways and cold,” he added. Bradley praised the players for their commitment, noting their perfect attendance at offseason workouts and practices.
There is also an intriguing competitive angle to their moves, as both universities compete in the same conference, the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Johnson commented on the friendly rivalry, saying, “That’s going to be fun. I’ll be in touch with them, see how they’re doing. But when that game comes? Gonna be a different story.” Lowe acknowledged the competitive spirit, saying, “He’s going to try to run me over.”
In addition to Lowe, Steele, and Johnson, Southeast High celebrated several other athletes who signed letters of intent on the same day. Notable signees included Jaeda Dean, who will play volleyball at the State College of Florida, and Liam Fernandez, who will continue his football career at SUNY Maritime College. Other athletes from the school also made commitments to various colleges, highlighting the strong athletic program within the Manatee School District.
At Parrish Community High, several students also made their commitments public, including Wesley Anderson to the State College of Florida for baseball, and Mia Davis for beach volleyball. In total, numerous athletes across the district signed with colleges across various sports, reflecting the dedication and talent present within the schools.
As the athletes prepare for their journeys, the support from their families and the community remains vital. These young men are poised to take on new challenges, both on and off the field, as they transition into this exciting new phase of their lives.
