Five Jacksonville High student-athletes sign national letters

Feb. 7—Five Jacksonville High School seniors signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their respective educations and athletic careers at the collegiate level during a signing ceremony that took place Wednesday morning at the Upper Gymnasium on the high school campus.

That group includes (listed alphabetically): Jayden Boyd, Eastfield College, Mesquite, Texas, baseball; Coen Devillier, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, baseball; Jasmine Gallegos, Kilgore College, softball; Juan Nunez, Texas College, Tyler, football and Jermaine Taylor, Kilgore College, football.

In his opening remarks, Jacksonville athletic director and head football coach Jason Holman reminded the large crowd that attended the event of all the hard work, both athletically, as well as academically that each of the student-athletes had put forth through the years to get to the point of being able to participate in National Signing Day.

"We want to take advantage of this moment and to celebrate the accomplishment of each of these men and women," Holman said. "Only about 5% of student-athletes (in high school) have an opportunity to play at the next level, so this is a really special day and something for us to celebrate."

Boyd, who also played football and basketball at Jacksonville, said he had dreamed of being able to play college baseball for quite a long time.

"I am truly blessed to be in a position to have this opportunity, especially after having two ACL surgeries," he said. "I have dreamed about this day for a long time and finally it has come true."

Boyd, a power hitter, is projected to play first base for Eastfield.

Devillier, also a member of the Tribe baseball team, said that he is looking forward to taking his skills to Catholic University of America, an up and coming NCAA Division III program.

"I am extremely excited and ready to take the next step in my life," Devillier said. "It's a little bit scary going all the way across the country (to attend college), but it is what I want to do."

Devillier, whose baseball dreams began by playing t-ball in the Jacksonville Baseball-Softball Association as a three-year-old, said there were some bumps in the road along the way, but that he never gave up on his dream.

"There were times that I thought that I would not have a chance to play college baseball, but I persevered and continued to work hard and it paid off."

Devillier, a pitcher, said that he is ready to leave the land of the pick-up trucks for life in one of the most historic cities in the United States.

Gallegos, a Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State (third team) pick last year, said her knowledge of and past experience with Kilgore College head softball coach Amber Williams was the main reason that she decided to join the Lady Ranger squad.

"The coach at Kilgore (Williams) used to coach my travel ball team and she invited me to come up for a visit, and I just had to play for her," Gallegos said.

Gallegos said that she expects to used as a pitcher and as a utility player at Kilgore College.

Nunez, a place kicker, decided to stay close to home by committing to play for the Steers of Texas College.

Nunez' strong work ethic enabled him to improve from year-to-year while proficiently handling the Indians' kicking duties.

Texas College, a member of the NAIA and the Sooner Athletic Conference, went 1-10, 1-7 in 2023.

Taylor will also be off to Kilgore College later this year.

The Rangers went 9-2 overall and 7-1 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference games last season and are coached by Willie Gooden.

Taylor said that he can't wait to get going at Kilgore College.

"I feel good, but I am just ready play and get up there and be a part of the good (football) program that they have," Taylor said. "They really do a good job and I appreciate them recruiting me and putting their trust in me, and I don't want to disappoint them."

Despite having to play quarterback in the last several games of the 2023 season due to massive injuries that depleted the Tribe roster, Taylor, nevertheless, managed to catch 37 passes for 722 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Taylor was named to the All-9-4A-I team as a first team choice at wide receiver in 2023.