Veterans has three players sign on different levels

Veterans covered three levels of college football during a National Signing Day ceremony Wednesday afternoon in the school's cafeteria.

Offensive lineman Devin Wingate signed a letter-of-intent to attend NCAA Division II member West Georgia while Desjuan Harris, a running back, signed with NAIA program Cumberlands, and defensive back Isaiah Gray signed with Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College.

Wingate, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, is attending the alma mater of Veterans head coach David Bruce.

"I loved every aspect of (the school)," said Wingate, who hopes to study business and finance. "It had all the things I was looking for."

Bruce said he believes the lineman is ready for the next level now.

"He'll be challenged up there physically, but I think he'll be able to respond," Bruce said. "He's worked extremely hard to get where he is. That's a great attribute for him. Physically, he's able to play now."

The skills Harris takes to the school in Williamsburg, Kentucky, come in a small package. Bruce said however, the 5-7, 170-pound stature Harris owns is deceiving.

"He's a little guy who think's he's a big guy," the coach said. "He runs hard and has a great work ethic. He can take a pounding despite his lack of size. He's tough as nails."

Harris said he planned to study biology with an eye on attending dental school.

"They have very good academics, and the football program is really coming together," he said. "I hope I can contribute and help them win a championship."

Gray is headed for one of the premier junior college programs in the country in one of the nation's toughest JUCO leagues. The 5-10, 170-pound player aims to develop only on the field, physically and in the classroom to attract NCAA Division I programs in a year or two.

"There's really good competition there, and I hope it will help me improve while I get faster and stronger," said Gray, who wants to major in education and get into coaching. "I hope I can show my talents while I'm there to have the opportunity to play at a higher level."

Bruce said Hutchinson is getting a player with a host of talents.

"He's a great all-around athletic with a lot of speed and quickness," Bruce said. "He'll get a chance to develop and get stronger physically and develop some good habits in the classroom. He'll be good in the secondary and a great return man -- a multi-purpose player."

The trio join teammate Logan Byrd as the Warhawks' college recruits from the 2015 season. Byrd, a quarterback, graduated early and already has enrolled at North Carolina where he'll be eligible to participate in the Tar Heels' spring practice.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Veterans has three players sign on different levels ."