Pensacola Catholic’s Gaston, McLaughlin and Bragg sign with Division I football programs

Linebackers Demontrae Gaston and Turner McLaughlin, along with offensive lineman Ryland Bragg, combined to help Pensacola Catholic attain a breakthrough football season and reach the state semifinals.

They were saluted again Wednesday on National Signing Day by Catholic coach Matt Adams and teammates, after the trio all signed with separate NCAA Division I teams.

Gatson is heading to the Toledo (Ohio) Rockets in the Mid-American Conference, Bragg signed with Jacksonville (Alabama) State in Conference-USA and McLaughlin will play at Tennessee Tech in the Ohio Valley Conference.

They join with fellow Catholic standouts, receiver Jayvion Showers (Arkansas State) and Desjon Robertson (Alabama State), who signed in December during the early signing period.

“It’s been a great year,” Adams said. “They have helped lead us to an 11-3 season, final four (Class 1-2S) and they’ve done a great job being great role models for the school and their teammates.

This is a very special class to me, a great group of guys. The leadership they brought was incredible. I enjoyed coming to work and look forward to practice to me.”

Here’s look at the three Catholic players who signed Wednesday.

Ryland Bragg (OL), Jacksonville State

Pensacola Catholic’s Ryland Bragg (middle) prepares to sign his letter of intent to play for Jacksonville State at a ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

A 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman and a four-year starter on the Crusaders’ varsity offensive line. Adams said Wednesday he never missed a start. He will play for offensive line coach Rick Trickett, former Florida State offensive line coach, at Jacksonville State.

Adams said: “He has brought a nastiness to the offensive line. If you watched us at the end of the year, we were a gritty team that relied on running downhill at people and Ryland was a big…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pensacola-catholics-gaston-mclaughlin-bragg-053815208.html

Author : Pensacola News Journal

Publish date : 2024-02-08 05:38:15

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