GRAY -- Jones County’s Jackson Williamson always knew he wanted to play college football. And while the path was not always smooth, he reached his goal Wednesday by signing with Charleston Southern. Williamson chose Charleston Southern over Carson Newman.

“I was a little undecided until about three weeks ago, but when Charleston Southern hired a new coach (Jamey Chadwell), I knew that was where I wanted to go,” said Williamson, who overcame sitting out his entire sophomore season with a broken leg and a sprained MCL. “Coach Chadwell had been recruiting me at his old school (Delta State) and when he left for Charleston, he started to recruit me. They came up with a good offer and I thought that Charleston was a beautiful place and the community is very supportive of the school.

“They are going to run the spread and triple option and I think that fits me. I just want to go and try to get playing time as a freshman and do the best I can.”

Outside linebacker Doug West also signed with Western Arizona, a junior college power that won the national title a few years ago.

“It was important to play for a winner, and it gives me a chance to see other places than Georgia,” said West, who will stay at outside linebacker in college. “I know this is a chance to get stronger, and hopefully in two years, I will be a much better football player and have a chance to play somewhere else for my last two years.”

Jones County head coach Dwight Jones, who expects to have two more signees from his senior class, including running back Undre Williams, sees signing day as another step in the right direction for his football program.

“This is the first class in a long time that went through their last three years here and did not have a losing season,” Jones said. “These two guys were leaders when they walked into the building and have been a tremendous asset to our football team. They are examples of what hard work can do, and it’s a great feeling knowing that they are getting a chance to play at the next level.”