Signing ceremonies were held at three parish schools Wednesday to celebrate athletes who are continuing their playing careers in college.
Players who signed with colleges Wednesday, the first day of the late football signing period known as National Signing Day, were celebrated along with some who signed during the early signing period.
At Airline, seven football players off last season’s 11-1 team were celebrated, including quarterback Ben Taylor who signed with Northwestern State during the early period in December.
Taylor was the All-Parish Offensive MVP in both 2023 and 2024. He was the co-All-District MVP last season with his teammate, receiver Kenny Darby. He was a first-team selection on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State team.
Taylor passed for 12,373 yards and 135 touchdowns in his career. The yardage Toria is the second highest in the state’s history.
Airline receiver Jarvis Davis Jr. signed with Alabama A&M. Davis was a first-team LSWA Class 5A All-State selection in 2023 and honorable mention last season. In the last two seasons, Davis caught 183 passes for 2,466 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Airline’s other signees were first-team All-District 1-5A offensive lineman Josh Allen (Mount St. Joseph), placekicker Ben Jump (Northwestern State), first-team All-District tight end Ayden Baker (Centenary College), receiver Zane Maxwell (Grendel) and defensive back Eli Dollar (Evangel).
Parkway celebrated three football signees — first-team All-District 1-5A running back CJ Dudley (Central Georgia Tech), first-team All-District defensive lineman Devon “DD” Oliver (Yale), first-team All-District offensive lineman Jax Gallier (Southern Arkansas).
Dudley rushed for 1,226 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns last season. Oliver is also a track and field standout in the discus and shot put.
Three other Parkway athletes also signed — Gavin Ferrington (lacrosse, Centenary College), Dakota Armour (baseball, Central Baptist) and Addyson White (cheer, ULM).
Ferrington joined the football team at quarterback just before midseason and helped the Panthers finish second in District 1-5A and reach the playoffs.
One soccer and three football players were celebrated at Benton.
Soccer standout Lana Whiteman signed with LeTourneau. White was a second-team All-District 1, Division I selection at midfielder last season. This season, she has helped the Lady Tigers reach the quarterfinals of the Division I playoffs.
Two football players — defensive back D’Colby Chambers and defensive lineman Tyler Davidson — signed with Centenary. Linebacker Cole Austin signed with Evangel.