Hishawn Blue, Jabo Lee, and Bryce King all signed on to play for college teams on National SIgning Day. (Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)
Running back Jabo Lee had verbally committed to play for East Carolina but announced on Monday that he intended to sign with his first choice, Tennessee. Lee said he thought he would have a bigger chance to be successful with the Vols, who were one of the first schools to offer him. Running backs coach Jay Graham met with Lee on Friday in a late push from Tennessee that sealed the deal.
“Tennessee was always my dream school,” he said. “It’s where I wanted to go first.”
Lee was sidelined with an injury for most of the 2012 season, but rushed for 139 years on 23 carries, averaging six yards. His longest run was 50 yards in the season-opener against Pageland.
Jabo Lee signed with the University of Tennessee. Left to right: Pastor John Graves, step-father Kenny George, mother Shonette Lee, Jabo Lee, sister Tynisha Lee, and uncle Geoffrey George. (Click image to view at full size!)
In 2010, he broke his cousin Stan Manning’s school record for most touchdowns in a single season, scoring 30 touchdowns for 180 points. He averaged 53.5 yards per kickoff return that season, returning six kicks for 321 yards and three touchdowns.
Lee has been playing football since he was six. He became interested in the sport because it was physical. “When you’re stressed out, it relieves stress,” he said.
He says he works out in his spare time and studies hard to make straight A’s in school. He wants to major in physical therapy. Lee said he learned much of his work ethic from Coach Jackie Hayes and the Wildcat staff. “We were pushed hard,” he said. “We learned to work hard.”
Lee is the son of Shonette Lee and stepson of Kenny George. His sister, Tynisha Lee, uncle, Geoffrey George, and pastor, John Graves were also in attendance for the signing.
Bryce King signed on to play for the University of South Carolina. Sitting (left to right): grandfather Earl Carter, brother Dawson King, father Jaime King, Bryce King, mother Susan King, and aunt Lisa Christmas. Standing (left to right): grandmother Nita Carter, cousins Noah and Jon-Mitchell Carter, and grandparents Ernestine and Rozier Powell. (Click image to view at full size!)
King was encouraged to play by his father, Jaime King, and spent two years on the junior varsity team and four years playing varsity football for the Wildcats. He played center his first two years of varsity with Dillon and also played guard. He was an important part of the Wildcat offense, opening holes for running backs like Jabo Lee and Joe Blue.
King said he chose USC because he grew up as a fan of the Gamecocks. “I always wanted to play there,” he said. He hasn’t yet decided what major he’ll be working towards when he begins classes in the fall.
In his spare time, King likes hunting and fishing when he’s not working out.
King has valued his time as a Wildcat, and said the most important thing he learned from Coach Hayes was good character. “You have to play for the good of the team,” he said.
King is the son of Jaime and Susan King and the grandson of Earl and Nita Carter and Ernestine and Rozier Powell. He is the great-grandson of Lonnie Carter, who was a great booster for Dillon High School and a member of the Booster Club Hall of Fame, attending every practice until he passed away in 2010. Bryce’s brother Dawson, aunt Lisa Christmas, and two cousins, Noah and Jon-Mitchell Carter, were in attendance for the signing.
Offensive lineman D.J. Park also signed today, but was not in attendance. He had already committed to the Gamecocks and enrolled at USC in January. As an early enrollee, he will be able to practice with the Gamecocks in the spring. Park was a three-year starter for Dillon and was ranked among the top 10 players in the state.
Hishawn Blue signed with Greenville Technical College. Left to right: brother Joe Blue, mother Mary Odom, Hishawn Blue, cousin Shy’Keem “Red” Blue, and cousin Anthony Blue. (Click image to view at full size!)
Blue said he began playing because it was a family tradition and he was good at it. His brother Joe and cousins Anthony and Shy’Keem Blue all made a huge impact as well for the Wildcats in their champion season this fall.
Blue said he chose to sign with Greenville because he loved the environment. “I felt loved and welcomed when I visited,” he said.
Blue said he liked to eat and listen to music in his spare time and to spend time reading his Bible. He has not yet decided on a major.
He is the son of Mary Odom. His brother, Joe Blue, and cousins Anthony and Shy’Keem Blue were all in attendance for the signing.
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click images below to view at full size!
